NEZ
RALLYCROSS
CHAMPIONSHIP
26-07-2010
NEZ Rallycross victories in Riga for Antonsen, Berkis, Oja and Froshaug
NEZ Rallycross Championship Round 3 was held in Riga City, Latvia, brand new track in Bikernieki Sports Arena. Winners in classes were Camilla Antonsen (Norway, NEZ 4WD), Janis Berkis (Latvia, NEZ 2000), Sten Oja (Estonia, NEZ 1600) and Ola Froshaug (Norway, NEZ Open). In teams rankings Latvia took the victory. There were drivers from six countries: Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland and two drivers from Poland, which were guests of the race, not counting in NEZ Championship.
The rallycross track was built this year by Latvian rallycross enthusiasts and drivers, works mostly led by Ilgonis Krumins and Ugis Paurins. Main target is promoting rallycross in the country and NEZ Championship race with international grid helps to achieve this. The race and track debut was successful, so the organizers will move from this first step forward. It planned that great rallycross show will be organized at October 10, so everybody will welcomed to Riga.
There was great racing in Riga. In NEZ 4WD class Camilla Antonsen was unbeatable in final, snatching second victory in row after success in Round 2 in Lithuania. One of the best Latvian D-1 driver Aldis Zebergs was on second place. After Lithuanian driver Kazimieras Gudziunas car lost front wheel drive, third place went to Estonian Valdur Reinsalu, who had good battle with Latvian rallycross debutant Karlis Goldmanis. Spectators were sad to see Finn Silvo Viitanen retiring from race just before Final A with engine failure.
Aldis Zebergs, (LV) Division 4WD
NEZ 2000 was spectacle. At the first corner after the start there was massive crash witch involved almost all eight starters, though everybody could continue the race. Latvians Aldis Kasparovics and Janis Berkis moved ahead. Kasparovics made tactical mistake with Jocker Lap, so victory went to Berkis. Second position for Lithuanian Vaidas Vaicekauskas, who now is NZ 2000 Championship points leader. Third place position for Kasparovics. Standings leader before the race Latvian Martins Porietis took P4.
In NEZ 1600 there was fight between Estonian Sten Oja, Norwegian Robin Bakke Andresen and Lithuanian Vainius Zulys. After Andresen rolled his Opel Corsa Oja took the victory, Zulys – second, but third place went to Latvian Reinis Safonovs. His race was compromised after engine trouble on the first day of weekend.
Sten Oja is now a clear leader of the Championship two races to go this season.
Interesting note: Robin Bakke Andresen bought another Opel Corsa – car which saw Latvian driver Janis Aleksejevs taking NEZ Rallycross Championship victory in 2008.
NEZ Open saw
problems for two favorites. Finlands Jokke Kallio missed race after
electronics failure, but Ilgonis Krumins could not repair major engine
trouble. After that it was easy going for Norwegian Ola Froshaug, who is
now leader in the standings.
Ola Frøshaug (NOR) Division Open
In the race Poland’s drivers Witold Starobrat and Lukasz Kabacinski took remaining Podium places but, as Poland is not in NEZ, second formally went to Lithuanian driver Egidijus Kedrovas, third, in spite of engine problem, Latvian Andrejs Lajevskis.
There was great fight in National Teams standings. Latvia took victory with 51 point, followed by Norway (47), Estonia (46) and Lithuania (46).
Last races of the NEZ Rallycross season will be held in Norway (Momarken, September 19) and Denmark (Nysum, September 26).
Viesturs
Saukans
Latvian Automobile Federation