Chief- organizer, Zoltan Garamvolgyi and his team has no intention to risk anyone’s health, that is the reason why they are to cancel the Cross- Country Rally World Cup, CEZ and Open Hungarian Cross- Country Rally event in Varpalota this year.
The most popular and spectacular Hungarian cross- country event, HunGarian Baja would be held for the 17th time this year. Due to the global health crisis and the on- going legal restrictions, organizers of the rally have decided to cancel the World Cup event for 2020.
Hungarian motorsport has been based on four international pillars for long years, however, not many of them are to be organized this year. Because of corona virus, WTCR event has also been cancelled in Hungaroring, the Hungarian GrandPrix F1 is to be held behind closed doors, while no decision has been made on the Hungarian event of the European Truck Racing Championship yet. HunGarian Baja is present in the calendar of the International Cross- Country Rally for the 17th time, which won its own battle with FIA last year. FIA observer, Jordi Vidal Parro evaluated positive not only the new scene in Varpalota but also the professional skills of the organizer team, the designation of stages and also the way the event had been carried out. HunGarian Baja organizer, Zoltan Garamvolgyi did not want to give away this level of quality either this year, however, the outbreak of corona virus changed his plans.
„I must confess honestly that this year we were just waiting for some kind of wonder to help but the outbreak of the epidemic destroyed our dreams. We have already prepared everything with the mayor of Varpalota, Marta Campanari- Talaber but together we had to make the painful decision to cancel the race this year. The event would have been held between 13-16 August but on-going regulations do not allow any grandious events to be organized until 15 August. In this situtation, we did not want to make anyone believe that we have the chance for the race despite the virus and make them prepare for it in vain. Of course, cancelling the event is a trauma even for us, however, we all do hope that in 2021 nothing can stop us to held it.’- said Zoltan Garamvolgyi.
The chief- organizer also added that however HunGarian Baja is one of the highest level Hungarian auto- and motorsport events, it is not fincanced by the state but with the help of sponsors. As it is true for all the events of the series, due to the epidemic, organizers have the right to decide whether to held their event or not. FIA has asked all their organizers to send in their plans for this year and 2021 until 14 May to make it clear for everybody as soon as possible how things can go on.
’I have already sent my decision to FIA about cancelling the race and also informed the chairmen of the Hungarian auto- and motorsport associations. They all understood and accepted it since in this situation I could not do more. I can not ask my sponsors to finance an event, has been held for nearly 20 years with success, if I cannot guarantee its realisation. Still the training of newcomers in Hungarian cross- country rally is to be continued this weekend with education, tests and trainings. We are preparing by 3-4 weeks for the future. I also would like to express my best wishes to the bike chairman of cross- country rally, Sandor Sasvari, who suffered a serious accident and also ensure him that after his recovery we expect him to help our work on.- said Zoltan Garamvolgyi and added that final decision about Raid of the Champions, to be held at the beginning of November, is to be made later, around the end of summer.