Mads Østberg, who heads the Rally Hungary entry, former ERC
champion Efrén Llarena, Czech talents Erik Cais and Filip Mareš, multiple
Polish title winner Miko Marczyk and leading local star Miklós Csomós are among
the drivers who have yet to register a victory in 2023.
As a former winner of the challenging Tarmac event,
Citroën-powered Norwegian star Østberg is determined to complete his ERC
campaign on top.
“We want to win the rally again and that’s our target,” said
the 35-year-old. “We feel quite comfortable on this rally which means we can
drive with low shoulders and try to enjoy ourselves. That will be the key
point. We are also still fighting for [a top-three finish in] the championship
so we need to keep an eye on that, it’s important to us.
“Rally Hungary is challenging but it’s a race I’ve done a
few times now, so I know it quite well and some of the stages are the same as
previous years. That’s our advantage but the competition [from the ERC drivers]
will be strong, as always, and we always know the local drivers have good
experience and good speed so I expect a big fight with everyone.”
Michelin-equipped Yoann Bonato and Mārtiṇš Sesks, who uses
MRF Tyres, have, however, won in the ERC in 2023 with Bonato boosted by the
fact he has previous Rally Hungary experience to call upon. Other expected
frontrunners include Mathieu Franceschi from France and Ireland’s Josh
McErlean, who made his ERC debut on Rally Hungary in 2020.
HOME HEROES OUT IN FORCE
Several Hungarian drivers will be
in the limelight this weekend. Ferenz Vincze starts the event on the back of
clinching his second national title. Frigyes Turán won the inaugural Rally
Hungary in 2019. Pirelli-supported Miklós Csomós bagged his breakthrough ERC
podium on August’s Barum Czech Rally Zlin. András Hadik is a three-time
national champion, while Martin László, a season-long ERC contender, won Rally
Nova Gorica, a FIA European Rally Trophy event, as part of his Rally Hungary
preparations. Meanwhile, Norbert Michelisz, Hungary’s most successful racing
driver and the winner of the FIA World Touring Car Cup in 2019, makes his
rallying debut on Rally Hungary.
THREE-WAY FIGHT FOR JUNIOR ERC GLORY
The
Hankook-equipped FIA Junior ERC Championship is set for a thrilling Rally
Hungary decider with three young stars vying for the coveted title – and the
FIA Junior WRC Championship prize drive in 2024 that goes with it. Peugeot 208
Rally4 driver Norbert Maior heads the standings by four points ahead of Roberto
Daprà, who also relies on Peugeot power, and 12 ahead of Ola Nore before
dropped scores are factored in. Nore missed the previous round due to funding
issues and switches to an Opel Corsa Rally4 for his return
FROM RALLYCROSS TO RALLYING
Best known as a rallycross venue,
the Rabócsiring circuit south of Nyíregyháza hosts the opening stage from
18h00 local time on Friday with a 2.4-kilometre layout forming the first timed
test. Fans are expected to visit in their thousands but the rally’s early
October date will make for slightly lighter skies than in the past as the ERC
stars go head to head on a mixed-surface course.
STILL A BIG CHALLENGE AFTER
ONE YEAR OFF
Back on the ERC schedule after
one season away, the fourth edition of Rally Hungary features 12 stages over a
competitive distance of 180.26 kilometres. The event is based in the city of Nyíregyháza
in Hungary’s north-eastern Zemplén region and presents a tricky test for the competitors
with narrow bumpy forest roads and fast, wide sections all part of the
challenge. While rain – and the resulting mud – was particularly troublesome
when the first Rally Hungary took place in November 2019, the earlier date this
year and the forecast of warm and dry weather should ease the demands on the
drivers and teams, particularly in the case of tyre compound selection and
management.
Finland
Italy
Hungary