Located south of event host city Nyíregyháza, SSS1 Rabócsiring put drivers head-to-head on a 2.4km course with Miko Marczyk coming out on top to lead into Saturday’s first full day of action in the Zemplén region in north-east Hungary.
Marczyk, who won the Qualifying Stage earlier, beat Filip Mareš in his battle to take top spot by 1min 36.9sec. The Polish driver, making his first start on a Tarmac event in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, was 0.5sec faster than Mārtiṇš Sesks with Erik Cais third and Mads Østberg fourth, one place ahead of 2022 ERC champion Efrén Llarena.
Frigyes Turán was sixth quickest followed by Mareš, Hungarian champion Ferenc Vincze, András Hadik and Yoann Bonato.
A minor mistake on a left-hander cost home hero Miklós Csomós vital time with the Hungarian managing only the 11th fastest time, 2.4sec off the pace.
There was early disappointment for Josh McErlean, who completed the stage with a damaged front-right wheel. “We clipped a tyre on the inside of a corner, it’s not good, I’m sorry for the team,” said the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver, who was working on his damaged Hyundai i20 N Rally2 at the end of the stage.
Peugeot 208 Rally4-powered Roberto Daprà holds the early advantage in the Hankook-equipped FIA Junior ERC Championship after going 0.2sec faster than Opel Corsa Rally4 driver Timo Schulz. Along with Norbert Maior and Ola Nore, Daprà is one of three Junior ERC title contenders.
“We feel good, a bit understeering but we start by going flat out and we are trying our best,” said Daprà. “But the race is not today, tomorrow is the longest day.”
Rally Hungary continues tomorrow (Saturday) with the 19.95km Újhuta-Nyíri stage from 09:23 CET.
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