Countdown starts for the June race: a concentrate of sport, emotions, show and fun. Aseverything needs a starting point, we let start today the countdown for the 26thedition of theItalian Baja, exactly four months before June 21st, when the official start will be given to the competition valid for the World Cup for Cross Country Bajas.
A meeting of the organizing staff is planned for tonight, in order to fine-tune the particular race regulations including the most important news: “All in 72 hours”. That’s to say, the new challenge of the Fuoristrada Club 4×4 Pordenone is to succeed in concentrating the Italian Baja in three days of race, effectively saving time and costs as for the whole “World circus”, keeping however the already consolidated system: administrative checks and scrutineering, shake-down and super special stage on Friday, long Leg on Saturday, short Leg on Sunday and Prize Giving Ceremony. Scenery of the race will be the riverbeds offered by the Meduna, Cosa and Tagliamento watercourses, a unique and evocative landscape to welcome in a special way crews coming from all over the World, from snow-covered tracks, desolate steppe, sand dunes.
An irresistible appeal also for the many Italian competitors, often obliged to face rally tracks with a compact soil, so different to Cross Country characteristics. “We are also planning some other news regarding logistics and the total track – assures the team principal Mauro Tavella – that will be revealed in due time, because the Italian Baja will be once more a sport showcase able to highly promote our Land and the whole region Friuli Venezia Giulia”.
In the meanwhile the “Northern Forest” Russian Baja took place in the Republic of Karelia, situated among Finland, White Sea and lakes Ladoga and Onega. Freezing cold signed the first date of the World Cup, won by the Finns Tapio Lauronen and Toni Tapio Lauronen with Mitsubishi Pajero. The second place of the podium was seized by the Russian Vladimir Vasilyev (who won the Italian Baja in 2012) and Konstantin Zhiltsov with Mini Cooper Countryman, while the third position was reached by the Lithuanian Benediktas Vanagas, navigated by the Pole Bartlomej Boba with Toyota Hilux.
Carlo Ragogna Italian Baja Press Office
