MINI to compete at Hungarian Baja with MINI ALL4 Racing dynamic duo Nasser Al-Attiyah and co-driver Mathieu Baumel // MINI ALL4 Racing crew Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel intent on taking top spot of the 2015 FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup at round 7, Hungarian Baja 2015

Munich (DE). Round seven of the 2015 FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup, Hungarian Baja (14-16th August), is to be contested by MINI and its championship-winning MINI ALL4 Racing. Taking the fight to the competition is man-on-form Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) and his fellow committed co-driver Mathieu Baumel (FRA).

Al-Attiyah returns to the heavily contested Hungarian Baja to defend the win he and his MINI ALL4 Racing secured in 2014. Not only is the Qatarian looking to savour success yet again, he and Baumel are intent on securing first place in the championship standings at race end. Presently the competitive duo hold second place, 21 points behind the leading position, which also happens to be held by MINI and its MINI ALL4 Racing.

Last year’s Hungarian Baja provided thrilling racing across typical rock, gravel and dust-covered routes, which saw Al-Attiyah snatch victory in the last leg of the event. So far this season, terrain conditions have been major factors of final race results. Rocks and severe stones cause severe damage to the tyres and all competitors will be mindful of this. Cautious starts inevitably lead to a mid-to-race-end surge. For the many spectators that attend the Hungarian Baja, action-packed racing is once again on the cards.

The 2015 edition of Hungarian Baja starts on the evening of Friday 14th with a special stage of just 2.5 kilometre. A short distance, indeed, but an exciting challenge for the contestants because the result determines the starting order for the 172 km race on Saturday (15th). Times set on Friday evening will be added to the overall race times of the competing drivers. Therefore, it is highly likely a thrilling repeat of last year’s final race could materialise when Stage 3 nears conclusion on Sunday (16th).

Race calendar: 2015 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies.

20/02 – 22/02 Baja Russia
27/03 – 02/04 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
18/04 – 24/04 Sealine Cross-Country Rally Qatar
10/05 – 17/05 Pharaons Rally
25/06 – 28/06 Italian Baja
24/07 – 26/07 Baja Aragón
13/08 – 16/08 Hungarian Baja
27/08 – 30/08 Baja Poland
03/10 – 09/10 Rallye du Maroc
22/10 – 24/10 Baja Portalegre 500