PREVIEW: 2022 FIA European Rallycross Championship – Riga, Latvia

The fourth round of the 2022 FIA European Rallycross Championship takes place at the Biķernieki Circuit in Riga, Latvia, this weekend (03/04 September), with the home hero and fan favorite Janis Baumanis in top form. The #YellowSquad driver won at this historic venue last year and will be keen to repeat his success as we head into the second half of the season.

Biķernieki has been a popular feature on the EuroRX calendar since 2016. A popular but challenging circuit for the drivers, the weekend is also typically a big hit with fans, in part due to the events that take place around the main action. This year features a drivers parade in downtown Riga on the evening of Thursday 1 September, where the loudest cheers will surely be reserved for the man who currently lies second in the championship; Janis Baumanis.

Indeed, Baumanis certainly seems to be relishing his homecoming. “This is obviously the most wonderful time of the year for me, with all of the things I am involved with before and after the weekend” he said. “For sure there is more responsibilities for me than any other race, but also more support too.”

This is the perfect time for Baumanis to make full use of his home event if he wants to stand any chance of catching championship leader and double event winner Anton Marklund. The Swedish superstar was unlucky at the last event in Norway, with first corner contact in the final dropping him out of contention for the win. He ended up only losing one point to Baumanis, and his lead currently stands at 17 points. Even if he manages to win the full 20 points available, Baumanis will surely be praying for his rival to have a torrid weekend.

Marklund leading earlier in the year. Can he get back on top in Latvia? Credit: @World / Red Bull Content Pool

However, there are many other drivers who have the potential to spoil the party for the championship frontrunners. Sondre Evjen came second in a Norwegian 1-2 last time out, showing his own potential as well as demonstrating the power of his JC Raceteknik Audi S1. Also driving an Audi is Belgium’s Enzo Ide. Ide is currently 5th in the championship but has shown incredible pace throughout this season, his efforts spoiled in Norway by an unfortunate puncture in his semi-final.

Unlike its big brother, the FIA World Rallycross Championship, this event is not a double-header, meaning that there are only 20 points available to the winner. With the crowd behind him and a determination not to let Marklund run away with the title, all eyes will be on Baumanis, seeing what he can deliver.

The Ferratum World RX of Riga-Latvia 2022 this weekend (03/04 September).

NO.	DRIVER	NAT.	COMPETITOR	NAT.	CAR
6	Jānis BAUMANIS*	LVA	#YellowSquad	SWE	Peugeot 208
8	Peter HEDSTRÖM	SWE	Hedströms Motorsport	SWE	Volkswagen Polo
9	David NORDGAARD	NOR	David Nordgaard	NOR	Ford Fiesta
10	Mikko IKONEN	FIN	Betomik Racing Team	FIN	Hyundai i20
24	Sivert SVARDAL	NOR	Sivert Svardal	NOR	Volkswagen Polo
33	Ulrik LINNEMANN*	DNK	Linnemann Promotion	DNK	Ford Fiesta
38	Mandie AUGUST*	DEU	ALL-INKL.COM Muennich Motorsport	DEU	SEAT Ibiza
44	Dariusz TOPOLEWSKI*	POL	Oponeo	POL	Ford Fiesta
50	Attila MÓZER*	HUN	Nyirád Motorsport KFT	HUN	Ford Fiesta
51	Márk MÓZER	HUN	Nyirád Motorsport KFT	HUN	Peugeot 208
55	Paulius PLESKOVAS	LTU	TSK Baltijos Sportas	LTU	Ford Fiesta
67	Frank VALLE	NOR	Frank Valle	NOR	Ford Fiesta
69	Sondre EVJEN	NOR	JC Raceteknik	SWE	Audi S1
73	Tamás KÁRAI*	HUN	Kárai Motorsport Sportegyesület	HUN	Audi S1
81	Ronalds BALDIŅŠ	LVA	Ronalds Baldiņš	LVA	Ford Focus
88	Marcin GAGACKI*	POL	Oponeo	POL	Ford Fiesta
91	Enzo IDE*	BEL	EKS	SWE	Audi S1
92	Anton MARKLUND*	SWE	SET Promotion	FIN	Hyundai i20

Euro RX1 Entry List for Round 4 in Latvia