The X-Raid MINI JCW Team crew of Orlando Terranova and Ronni Graue took victory on the Italian Baja today, the Argentinean crew winning the third round of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas by just over four minutes. The duo, who became the third different winners in as many events, headed the Toyota Hilux crew of Vladimir Vasilyev/Konstantin Zhiltsov with Martin Prokop and Jan Tománek rounding out the podium placings.

The Italian Baja, run along the Meduna, Cosa and Tagliamento riverbeds near the host town of Pordenone in northeast Italy, is a classic and got underway on Friday evening with a short 12.5 kilometre stage. Two-time winner, Jakub Przygonski, who was looking to seal the Italian Baja hat-trick this year, set the pace and won the stage by 35.8 seconds over Terranova until disappointment hit the Pole on Saturday’s opening stage when he and co-driver Timo Gottschalk were forced to retire after striking a tree.

Despite Przygonski setting third fastest time through this second section, Terranova’s stage win ensured he took the lead over the Pole by 55.2 seconds, a lead he never relinquished over the two and a half day event. Further stage wins in the fourth and sixth sections consolidated his advantage and the Argentineans took their first win of the season in the John Cooper Works Rally car.

“We are very happy,” said Terranova. “It was my first event since the Dakar. I immediately found my rhythm and was able to attack. The Italian Baja was very tough for the car, but the team did a great job. On Sunday I felt even better. I think we can compete for the World Cup title – let’s see.”

Vladimir Vasilyev, who won the Italian Baja in 2012, claimed his second podium position of the season, having also finished runner-up on his home round in Russia. He and Zhiltsov won two of the six stages and were never outside the top four in any of the six sections in the Toyota Hilux, finishing well ahead of third-placed Martin Prokop. The Czech driver lost time with power steering issues on Saturday but nevertheless recovered from seventh to finish on the podium in his second outing in the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas this year.

Fedor Vorobyev and Kirill Shubin claimed a fine fourth overall and first in T3 in their Can Am Maverick, the Russians just ahead of Lorenzo Codecà and Mauro Toffoli. Codecà, driving a T1 specification Suzuki Grand Vitara, finished just 57.2 seconds adrift in fifth overall, the multiple Italian Cross Country Champion upholding honours for his country. Rounding out the top six was Santi Navarro/Marc Solà in another T3 Can Am.

Italian Baja - Final classification

Photo: 2emmephotorace