Euro RX front-runners to the fore in Hungarian Championship at Nyirád

After missing the curtain-raising contest at Máriapócs’ RabócsiRing, Tamás Kárai opened his victory account for the season at his home circuit. The Orosháza native won two of the four heats behind the wheel of his Audi S1, but a DNF following a start-line shunt in heat four restricted him to second on the grid for the final.

No matter – the multiple Euro RX podium-finisher was not to be defeated, producing a flawless performance to immediately take the lead and thereafter controlling proceedings throughout, posting fastest lap for good measure.

“I didn’t feel comfortable in the car during free practice,” he confessed, “but the heats went well and our starts were good too. It was a positive ‘test’ for both the car and the track – only little refinements are needed. I’ve got to say, the new kerbs feel fantastic from inside the car!”

Kárai might have picked up the main trophy, but Máté Benyó was arguably the biggest winner of the weekend, as he quadrupled his championship lead from five points to 20. Joint pace-setter at the end of the opening day, the Korda Racing ace went on to clinch Top Qualifier honours and chased his countryman throughout the final, flashing across the finish line just six tenths-of-a-second in arrears in his Peugeot 208.

Behind the runaway top two, former European Autocross Champion Aleš Fučík got the better of Kárai’s team-mate Zoltán Koncseg in the battle for third.

The legendary ‘Red Cauldron’ will play host to rounds three and four of the 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship and round three of the Euro RX1, Euro RX3 and RX2e campaigns on 27-28 July. Tickets are on sale here.