Mikko Hirvonen proved his rallying prowess once again with victory at the HunGarian Baja last weekend (11-14 August) where the course is difficult, tight, bumpy and full of jumps.

“Today we have learned that it is more difficult to keep the lead position than to get it,” said Hirvonen. “Out front you have to set your own pace. We completed the track from the opposite direction and there were some difficulties, but I think we didn’t make any mistakes.

“We made it through a hard race, it was perhaps even harder than Baja Spain, and was excellent preparation for Dakar Rally. We have collected some valuable experience.”

It was a 1-2 finish for X-raid All4-Mini, as Hirvonen’s American team-mate Bryce Menzies came home in second position.

He said, “What Mikko did on the tight forest roads was absolutely fantastic. We knew we could have caught him only if he made a big mistake. We are pleased with the second place as it’s the first time we’ve competed here.”

Miroslav Zapletal stood on the third step of the podium and could be happy not only for the World Cup points, but for Hungarian championship title, too, which he won for the second time with this excellent international result. “The stages were at times very difficult, but we did not have any problems during the weekend, so we are really pleased” said Zapletal.

As best Hungarian competitors, Péter Osváth and Ágnes Farnadi finished in fourth place. In the morning the BMW duo decided to try to catch Zapletal and regain podium position, but quickly encountered problems.

“At the half way stage we got a puncture and we had to change tyre, since there were still 70km to go. I know that for top drivers it normally takes two and a half minutes, but for us it took almost six minutes due to our inexperience. It’s a shame not to be on the podium, especially we had a chance to do it, but it is not that bad at all,” said Osváth.

The trucks had to complete two stages, but they could not challenge Martin Kolomy’s dominance. The Czech Tatra driver only regretted that the tracks were not even longer.

“By the time I switched up to fifth gear, the stage was over!” he joked.

HUNGARIAN BAJA, 7th Race of World Cup, VESZPRÉM

Overall qualification. Cars: 1. Mikko Hirvonen, Michel Perin (Finnish, French) 5:19:07, 2. Menzies, Mortensen (American, Mini All4) + 6:04 min., 3. Zapletal, Momot (Czech, Polish, Hummer) + 7:19 p h., 4. Osváth, Farnadi (Hungarian, BMW X6) + 14:23 min.

Trucks: 1. Martin Kolomy, David Kilian, René Kilian (Czech, Tatra) 3:45:58, 2. Vrsecky, Kalina, Stross (Czech, Tatra) + 6:47 min., 3. Macik, Mrkva, Tomasek (Czech, Liaz) + 13:09 min.  

The next event in the 2016 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies takes place in Poland on 25-28 August.