The curtain has fallen on the 2024 Hungarian HUMDA National Rally Championship, and the Zemplén Rally delivered a thrilling conclusion that saw Ádám Velenczei and Viktor Bán crowned the new champions. With their balanced and steady performance across both days, the pair not only claimed the rally victory but also secured the 2024 championship title in dramatic fashion.
The Zemplén Rally, contested on the iconic and challenging roads of the Zemplén Mountains, was full of twists and turns, with multiple title contenders dropping out of contention at key moments. What started as a three-way battle for the title quickly became a test of endurance and strategy, and Velenczei and Bán emerged victorious.
A weekend of drama and heartbreak
The championship showdown began on Saturday with three pairs still in contention for the title: Ádám Velenczei/Viktor Bán, Miklós Csomós/Attila Nagy, and Gábor Német/Gergely Németh. However, Csomós/Nagy suffered a heartbreaking crash early in the competition, forcing them to withdraw while running in second place. Their hopes of claiming the championship vanished in an instant.
With Csomós out, the focus shifted to the remaining two contenders—Velenczei and Német—both fighting not only for the Zemplén Rally win but for the championship title. However, more heartbreak was in store on Sunday morning. In a high-speed left turn between Mezőzombor and Mád, Német/Németh rolled their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. Though spectators helped them back on their wheels, the duo dropped out of the title race, leaving Velenczei as the last contender standing.
Velenczei and Bán seize the opportunity
With the path to the championship suddenly clear, Velenczei and Bán maintained their composure through the remaining stages, knowing a strong finish would secure both the rally win and the championship crown. They crossed the finish line at Rákóczi Castle in Szerencs, where a cheering crowd greeted the new champions during an emotional award ceremony.
Velenczei said:
“The fruit of our hard work has finally ripened. We’ve worked so hard for this, and I want to thank everyone who contributed to this success. It will take a few days for everything to sink in—I can’t believe what just happened. We feel sorry for Csomós and Nagy, but after their exit, we had to change our strategy. We knew we had to finish first or second to win the championship, and we did it. I want to thank Zsolti for the five races we fought together, and Vitya for this one, where we worked perfectly as a team.”
Tight battles for podium positions
While Velenczei/Bán celebrated their victory, the battle for the remaining podium places was just as fierce. Kristóf Klausz/Tamás Papp delivered a solid performance to finish second, keeping their pace consistent throughout the rally.
Meanwhile, four-time champion András Hadik, who had led early on with co-driver István Juhász, encountered steering issues on the final day, forcing them to settle for third place. Despite their struggles, Hadik’s experience shone through as they managed to secure a spot on the podium.
A packed field and an epic finale
This year’s Zemplén Rally featured 109 crews competing over two days across 17 stages and 160 kilometres of demanding gravel roads. The event showcased the best rally talent in Hungary, with tight battles throughout the field.
In the ORB3 category, Gábor Rácz/Marcell Gyöngyösi took their first victory together in a Lada VFTS, edging out Krisztián Oberling/János Mitnyik in a Suzuki Swift GTI. Meanwhile, Gergő and Balázs Bíró celebrated their championship win despite finishing sixth in the event.
Final Results
01: Á. Velencze/V. Bán (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo) – 1h 27m 24.3s
02: K. Klausz/T. Papp (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo) + 35.2s
03: A. Hadik/I. Juhász (Ford Fiesta Rally2) + 50.8s
04: V. Trencsényi/A. Szabolcs (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo) + 2m 59.5s
05: L. Bodolai/A. Deák (Ford Fiesta Rally2) + 3m 19.3s
06: S. Ollé/R. Ollé (Škoda Fabia R5) + 4m 54.0s
07: A. Rongits/L. Hannus (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX R4) + 5m 28.8s
08: G. Német/G. Németh (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 5m 35.0s
09: N. Czékmany/A. Farnadi (Peugeot 208 Rally4) + 7m 16.6s
10: P. Szilagyi/A. Nagy (BMW M3 E36) + 8m 00.2s
An unforgettable season
The 2024 Hungarian HUMDA National Rally Championship has been a rollercoaster season, with multiple winners and surprises at every turn. Over six competition weekends, the series has showcased the grit and determination of Hungary’s top rally drivers. The championship battle was fierce, but in the end, Velenczei and Bán proved they had what it took to claim the crown.
Looking ahead
As the dust settles on the Zemplén Rally, Hungary’s rally fans look forward to the 2025 season and the exciting challenges it will bring. With a new champion crowned and emerging talents making their mark, the future of Hungarian rallying looks brighter than ever. For now, though, Velenczei and Bán can savour their hard-earned victory, having cemented their place in the history books of Hungarian motorsport.
