Home heroes revved up for ERC season opener

After staging an epic finale to the 2023 ERC season, Rally Hungary was chosen as the opening round of the eagerly anticipated 2024 European title chase, albeit with a new surface (gravel) and new host city (Veszprém).  

Csomós (below right), who scored a sensational breakthrough ERC podium on Barum Czech Rally Zlín last August before going on to lead his home event in October, is expecting plenty of competition when the new-look Rally Hungary takes place.

“I am very happy that the ERC will start in Hungary, it means there will be a lot of competitors in each category,” said 30-year-old Csomós. “As for me, I really love gravel races, so I am looking forward to the start. After [leading Rally Hungary in] Zemplén I hope to be fast in Veszprém, too. But realistically, it may be harder to win this race. On the one hand, the field will be much more populated, and on the other hand, I think they are much faster on gravel than on asphalt. But surely, we will not go to Veszprém with our hands up.”  

Vincze, the defending Hungarian champion, has yet to finalise his plans for 2024 but is determined to be on the starting ramp in Veszprém following his podium finish on last season’s Nyíregyháza-based Rally Hungary.

The 32-year-old (above) said: “I loved the rallies in Nyíregyháza and I feel more at home on asphalt, so I have mixed feelings that our ERC race moves to gravel. But it is obviously undeniable that it is great to have the season opener here [in Hungary]. All the big names who want to achieve a good result in the championship will come, and, unlike me, most of the competitors prefer gravel. It will be interesting anyway, and I am curious, what kind of stages are marked by the organisers. And surely, I would love to be at the start.”