Fri 08 Dec 2023
Three FIA European Rally Championship regulars are among the top seeds for the Mikulás Rallye on Sunday – and potentially well placed to gain an upper hand on their ERC rivals.
Erik Cais, Martin László (above) and Filip Mareš (below) have all entered the Veszprém-based event in their respective Škoda Fabia Rally2 challengers.
With two stages running in the same area as the proposed route for next year’s gravel-focused Rally Hungary – the planned opening round of the 2024 ERC season from 12 - 14 April – some useful knowledge could be gleaned by the trio.
“There are two stages that will be part of the European championship rally but obviously a different layout will be used,” an event official explained. “In a way this race can be seen as a dress rehearsal but it will be a different matter with the weather. We have winter conditions now, with snow in the morning, whereas in April we can expect spring weather.”
While Mareš has spoken of his hopes to mount another full ERC attack in 2024, Cais (below) and László have yet to reveal their plans for the upcoming season.
The fifth edition of Rally Hungary will form the first of eight ERC rounds in 2024 and round one of six of the Hankook-equipped Junior ERC Championship.
Meanwhile, this year’s Mikulás Rallye, which covers 80.50 competitive kilometres, marks the 27th edition of the event.
It begins with a ceremonial start at the Veszprém Arena from 18:15 local time on Saturday. The opening 13.80-kilometre stage is due to begin at 08:58 on Sunday.
Finland
Italy
Hungary