Hungary will host its first World Rallycross Championship race on 27–28 July at the Nyirád Racing Center, where the European Championship will also take place, with 17 Hungarian drivers competing in four categories, the organizers announced on Thursday.
At the press conference presenting the programme of the World and European Championship races, chief organizer Orsolya Gyuris stated that they set higher goals each year. Following the successful organization of European Championship races in the past two years, they are now joining the highest level of rallycross racing series.
She emphasized that great importance is placed on spectator safety at Nyirád, making the event suitable for families. Some safety modifications were made due to the World Championship race, but the track layout remains largely unchanged. Concrete walls were built in the basin for safety reasons, new kerbs were installed, and a new VIP tower was constructed for spectators.
Regarding the programmes, Orsolya Gyuris said that on the Thursday evening before the race weekend, fans are invited to the main square of Tapolca to meet the cars and drivers at the opening event. On Friday, a professional day will be held at the track, while on Saturday and Sunday, races will run from the morning until the late afternoon. It will be a double race, meaning that the World Championship field will have both preliminaries and finals on both days.
Not only the best drivers from the World Championship but also from the European Championship will be at the Nyirád track on the last weekend of July.
Alongside the World Championship race, this will be the tenth European Championship race
held at the Nyirád Racing Center.
For Tamás Végh, competing in the RX3 category with a Volkswagen Polo, it was a bucket list goal to participate in a European Championship race. He stated that his aim is to perform respectably, hoping to reach the finals, but he would not be disappointed with a semi-final position either. Balázs Körmöczi, also racing in the RX3 category with a VW Polo, similarly aims for a podium finish, highlighting that his familiarity with the track and the support of the fans will undoubtedly help.
Sámuel Kovács, driving a Skoda Fabia, debuted with a third place in the European Championship in RX3 at Höljes, Sweden in early July. He remarked that as this is still a learning year for him, he does not have high expectations. He aims to reach the finals and, if everything aligns, will also target the podium.
Tamás Kárai, competing in the RX1 category with an Audi S1, also aims for a podium finish and trusts in the home track advantage.
The race’s press officer, Pál Vidu, told MTI that 17 Hungarian drivers will compete in four categories. Among the participants in RX3 will be Krisztián Szabó, Portuguese Joao Ribeiro, and German Nils Volland. In RX1, the audience will see British Patrick O’Donovan, Norwegian Sivert Svardal, Polish Damian Litwinowicz, and German Mandie August.
Jankó Wieszt will compete in the World Championship field, and Gyula Lajos will race in the RX2e category for electric cars.
Related articles:
Sources: Hungarian Conservative/MTI
