Two weeks after the last appointment on the Baja Adriatico dirt road in the Marche region, the competitors of the 23rd Suzuki Challenge Trophy return to challenge each other in the third round of the season from 26 to 28 May, in a race with an international flavor valid for both the Italian Championship. Cross Country and for the FIA Country Bajas European Cup.
This time the cars of the Hamamatsu house, all series vehicles belonging to the T2 class, will face new challenges along the routes of the Rally Greece Off Road for a total of 661.53 km, of which 442.69 timed, at the location of Argos Orestiko on the same path valid for the FIA international series.
Compared to the classic races within the national series, especially the last one in a rallying key, the one in Hellenic land will be an “ad hoc” path set up for off-road specialists, therefore made up of few references and longer sections, on which they will carry out special stages of almost 100 km within a completely natural setting on the border between Albania and Macedonia, with a rather interesting road surface for the crews. The Rally Greece will be the other international appointment on a par with the Italian Baja, valid instead for the World Championship.
Also based on the close appointments within the calendar some big names will be missing this time. Among these is Andrea Luchini himself, current leader of the single-brand trophy ranking, who will not be present at the start in Greece.
Lorenzo Codecà, Mauro Toffoli, Suzuki Jimny
Photo by: ACI Sport
For his direct rivals Alfio Bordonaro, winner of the last stage in Urbino at the wheel of the Suzuki Gran Vitara, and Mauro Cantarello, also on the Gran Vitara, will be a great opportunity to get a good placement and gain ground on the pilot from Lucca who will return the next July at the Italian Baja. Without a doubt, the focus for the Suzuki Challenge is on Saturday’s final standings.
Special attention will be paid to Lorenzo Codecà, sailed by Mauro Toffoli, on Suzuki Jimny, also in Class T2. Yet another interesting test for the multiple Italian champion from Brianza, good for assessing how the strictly standard car will behave on still different characteristics compared to the first two outings, both concluded with results well beyond the best expectations.
Representing the TH cars, on the other hand, we find once again the Marchigiani Giovanni and Francesco Farina aboard the Vitara V6, who closed the last appointment on the Adriatic, in their own home, in third place in the category ranking, respectively behind. of the duo Allegranzi-Castellani and Morra-Abbondi.
The Rally Greece Off Road for the Suzuki Challenge will develop over the first three days of competition over four special stages, or two repetitions on two different timed sections.
It will start on Thursday 26 May at 10.00 with the “Qualifying Stage” (5.95 km), whose classification will determine the start for the double time trial on Friday, 108 km to be repeated, scheduled for 9.00. We will then continue with the remaining two tests on Saturday, each of 110 km, always starting at 9.00. The awards ceremony on Saturday is scheduled from 20.30.
Mauro Cantarello, Federico Lenzi, Suzuki Grand Vitara
Photo by: ACI Sport
23rd CALENDAR SUZUKI CHALLENGE
Italian Baja di Primavera (11-13 March); Baja Rally Adriatico (13-15 May); Greek Baja (May 26-28); Italian Baja 1st stage (7-10 July); Italian Baja 2nd stage (7-10 July); Baja Vermentino Terre di Gallura (17-18 September); Baja Valtiberina Crete Senesi (13-15 October).
23rd SUZUKI CHALLENGE RANKING AFTER ROUND 2
1. Luchini 54pt; 2. Cantarello 38pt; 3. Bordonaro 29pt; 4. Codecà 25pt; 5. Ferroni – Morra 17pt; 6. Flour 15pt; 7. Petrucci 12pt; 8. Allegranzi 8pt; 9. Lelli 5pt
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