The long agonistic break after the Northern Forest and the Dubai International is increasing the yearning for the challenge of the Fuoristrada Club 4×4 Pordenone. The 2019 edition of the Italian Baja could register a record of entries.
Fia’s decision to institute since this year the Bajas World Cup with eight races, each of them offering a 400-600 km track and developing in three days, including a super special stage, generated a calendar which collocates Pordenone (from Friday, June 21stto Sunday, June 23rd) as third World Leg after the Russian Northern Forest Baja held in February in the Republic of Karelia and the Dubai International Baja, disputed in March in the United Arab Emirates.
An over three months’ break for the many pilots who usually, among cross country specialties, choose this kind of competitions, short but intense. It is obvious that the desire of getting back into the game is growing day by day both for nowadays’ leader Vladimir Vasilyev (who won in Russia with a Mini, a Dubai with a Toyota Hilux) and for his rivals, as the Lithuanian Benediktas Vanagas (with another Hilux), the Czech Martin Prokop (Ford Raptor), the unavoidable Boris Gadasin (G-Force) and Miroslav Zapletal (Hummer), maybe even Khalid Al Qassimi (Peugeot 3008 Dkr), driver of the Emirates who in his own home suffered a defeat because of Jakub Przygonski (Mini Cooper John Works Buggy).
It is just the talented Pole driver, winner of last two Italian Baja’ edition, who poses a threat for the Bajas World Cup, as he is also taking part in the World Cup for Cross Country Rallies, another Fia creation, reduced to just four races of 1000 km after the cancellation of the challenge in Turkmenistan.
At the moment nobody knows if “Kuba” will compete once more in Pordenone. As for the single International dates, in Karelia and Dubai the challenges were faced by pilots and navigators coming from 15 Nations, while the 2018 edition of the Itaian Baja registered competitors from 24 different Countries. This represents a good omen for a true World challenge along the Meduna, Cosa and Tagliamento riverbeds.
Carlo Ragogna Italian Baja Press Office
