The 25th Rally Poreč delivered unforgettable action as Viliam Prodan, with co-driver Marko Stiperski, achieved his first career win at this iconic event, securing the Croatian Rally Championship title in the process. Driving a Škoda Fabia Rally2, Prodan and Stiperski showcased their skill across 10 high-speed stages covering 90.34 kilometers, overcoming fierce competition and seizing victory in the final moments.
Intense competition and early upsets
The rally began with Rok Turk and Blanka Kacin in their Hyundai i20N Rally2 taking an early lead, setting the fastest times in the initial stages around Tara. However, a six-minute penalty for prematurely entering time control ended their campaign; unable to close the gap in the remaining stages, the Slovenian team opted to withdraw from the rally. This unexpected exit handed the lead to Federico Laurencich and Alberto Mlakar in another Škoda Fabia Rally2, who capitalized on Turk and Kacin’s departure.
Laurencich and Mlakar maintained a strong pace on the second day, clocking the best times across four consecutive stages, including two passes each through Sveti Lovreč and Ciburi. As the battle intensified, Antal Kovacs and Gergo Istovics in a Hyundai i20N Rally2 also set impressive times in the initial rounds of Žbandaj and Kašćerga, keeping the competition close. Despite Kovacs and Istovics’ pace, Laurencich and Mlakar remained at the top of the order heading into the final stages.
A dramatic finale
The showdown reached its peak in the final night loop, where Prodan and Stiperski, who had been trailing Laurencich and Mlakar, pushed their Škoda Fabia Rally2 to its limits. In a remarkable display of speed and precision, they made up a 9.1-second deficit, overtaking the Italian duo to clinch victory by a narrow margin of 8.5 seconds. Last year’s winners, the Hungarian team of Kovacs and Istovics, secured third place in a thrilling conclusion to the rally.
Noteworthy performances and championship outcomes
The event also featured rally icon Manfred Stohl, who, alongside co-driver Michaela Markl in a Citroen C3 R5, claimed fourth place. Meanwhile, Croatian title hopefuls Jan Pokos and Vili Ošlaj in their Ford Fiesta Rally3 were forced to retire due to mechanical issues, a setback that ultimately paved the way for Prodan and Stiperski to secure the 2024 Croatian Championship title.
Lina Cukrov, the only female driver in this year’s lineup and the reigning time-trial champion, made her debut in a Peugeot 106. Alongside co-driver Karl Pelicara, she placed 48th on day one, surpassing 15 crews. Unfortunately, her rally ended on day two when she veered off course during the Sveti Lovreč stage.
Class battles heat up
Rally Poreč also witnessed intense class competitions:
- Class 1: Vjekoslav Čičko and Eugen Kokolić (Škoda Fabia) claimed victory after the withdrawal of Pokos and Ošlaj.
- Class 2: Last season’s Croatian champions, Janos Szilagyi and Robert Balai (Peugeot 208 Rally4), dominated with a commanding win.
- Class 3: Tomas Hrvatin and Đani Simčić (Renault Clio RS) celebrated a strong victory.
- Class 4: Marsel Katic and Denis Rubinić (VW Polo) clinched the top spot, rounding out a day of thrilling class battles.
A festival of motorsport in Poreština
Spectators flocked to Poreština, taking advantage of sunny weather and warm temperatures to witness the rally’s 25th anniversary. Fans enjoyed prime views of the high-speed action, enhanced by the vibrant energy of the crowd and only a few minor incidents. The rally’s flawless organization and passionate atmosphere made it an ideal celebration of Rally Poreč’s legacy, marking 25 years of thrilling rally competition in Croatia.
In total, 49 of the 66 starting crews reached the finish line, with Prodan and Stiperski emerging as champions. Their victory at Rally Poreč, alongside their Croatian Championship title, is a testament to the skill, resilience, and determination that defines this enduring and beloved event.
Final Results
01: V. Prodan/M. Stiperski (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo) – 50m 17.6s
02: F. Laurencich/A. Mlakar (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) + 8.5s
03: A. Kovacs/G. Istovics (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) + 29.2s
04: M. Stohl/M. Markl (Citroën C3 Rally2) + 1m 53.5s
05: A. Kramer Jr/J. Rausch (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo) + 3m 09.9s
06: A. Dlogusz/M. Martynek (Ford Fiesta Rally3) + 3m 42.9s
07: I. Hrzenjak/I. Savelj (Ford Fiesta Rally3) + 3m 48.2s
08: D. Mihevc/P. Rovtar (Opel Corsa Rally4) + 3m 56.6s
09: G. Trentin/D. Fappani (Opel Corsa Rally4) + 3m 56.7s
10: M. Bernini/P. Zanini (Hyundai i20 R5) + 3m 57.6s