Moments that made ERC 2023 great: Fans get Csomós back on track

The Hungarian, 30, was making up lost time on Rally Islas Canarias last May when he and co-driver Attila Nagy left the road at high speed and rolled several times on the fourth stage of the Tarmac event.   

Although both crew members escaped injury, the severity of the crash meant their car could not be salvaged and a replacement was needed.  

However, with limited funds available, Csomós was forced to sit out the ERC events in Poland, Latvia and Sweden while he waited for a new Škoda Fabia to be readied. And he was only able to return to action on Rally di Roma Capitale in July after fans responded to a fundraising appeal.

“I’m at a loss for words after the great support we’ve received from our fans,” Csomós said ahead of his return on Italy’s round of the ERC. “It’s truly amazing that 900 fans have raised the budget for a new shell through crowd funding. Without their help we wouldn’t be able to continue the ERC this season. It’s a great thing to race in the ERC, and we've missed it so much. I want to say a big, big thank you to our fans and köszönjük srácok in Hungarian.”  

With Viktor Bán taking over co-driving duties from Nagy, Csomós scored a breakthrough podium on Barum Czech Rally Zlín in August. He then led Rally Hungary prior to crashing out on the penultimate stage.