World Driving Pairs Championships in Riesenbeck Dominated by Hungary

Hungary dominated the World Driving Pairs Championship which was held from 17 to 19 August in Riesenbeck (GER). With 124.76 points, Vilmos Lazar renewed his world title won in his home country at the 1999 Championship in Keckskemet. In 1997 in Riesenbeck, Vilmos' brother Zoltan Lazar won the title. A talented young Portuguese, Frederico de Beck, won the silver medal, followed by Zoltan Nyul (HUN) who earned the bronze.

Composed of the same drivers as in 1999, Vilmos and Zoltan Lazar and Zoltan Nyul, Hungary found back its way to the podium after 12 years without a team medal. A strong Dutch team composed of the experienced driver Riny Rutjens, vice-champion in 1997 and two new drivers, Gerard Leijten and Bennie Grosschalk, won a merited silver medal. Bronze went to Germany (Mario Junhhanns, August Gründker and Rolf von Aschwege).

On Sunday, in front of a gasping crowd, the newcomer Federico de Beck made a spectacular obstacle driving course, in 170 seconds and without faults, and became a serious threat for the Hungarian title-holder Vilmos Lazar. The latter could afford no fault and only one second time penalty when he entered the arena. Looking very serene and cool-tempered, Lazar had not intention to let his title go, and made an impeccable course in two second less than his runner-up.

Complete results on www.riesenbeck.de