In parallel with the Mecsek Rally, our team was also represented in Sweden, where the European Championship entered its third round at the Royal Rally of Scandinavia. Patrik Herczig and Kristóf Varga continued their ERC Junior series and a new pair was also unveiled this weekend with the Norwegian Herman Lie Nilsen – Vegard Halland who voted for HRT Racing Team.
Sweden not only hosts regular World Rally Championship races in the snow-covered landscapes in winter, but now also in summer for the ERC field. Following last year’s successful event, a good field has once again been assembled. In the ERC Junior category, which is important for us, 14 riders entered, including our two pairs.
Thursday was all about free practice and the evening’s fast time. In the latter, the Herczigs finished in an excellent 4th place, while our Norwegian duo finished 13th in the 2.23 kilometre superspecial.
Friday was much tougher and the notoriously high average speed stages were next, eight in all. Patrik Herczig’s pace was encouraging on the first lap and they were able to return to the service park in 8th place. The Lie Nilsens were then in 12th place in the Junior. In the second lap, the Herczigs improved one place to finish the first day in 7th place. And our Norwegian duo moved up two places to 10th in their first ever Swedish and European Championship race.
The conditions did not ease as Saturday approached, although the weather had no say in the outcome, but there were eight tough stages to come on this day.
Patrik Herczig stepped on the gas pedal and played well in the first round on Saturday. They climbed quietly up to fifth place. The Herman Lie Nilsens were in 8th place at the time. By the last lap the Herczigs were a bit tired and Timo Schulze overtook them, but still managed to get their best result of the season with 6th place and even managed to score a chunk of Power Stage points. They are 8th in the ERC Junior standings with 26 points after three races. Our Norwegian duo finished in 8th place in the ERC Junior, showing tactical and safe driving throughout!
Next race: 14th Delfi Rally Estonia 2024
