Just a quick blurb…
First event of the 2019 FIA World Cup for Cross Country Bajas…the only snow and ice rally-raid on any schedule. It usually has a relatively small entry list given how remote it is in Russia as well as the uncomfortable conditions. Other events on the schedule are in Spain, Italy, UAE, and Jordan among others. Most of the entrants are from Russia and the surrounding areas.
This year saw 33 entrants with a mix of UTVs, pickups and full Dakar-size "trucks”. Among these were some four Nissans with two Nissan Patrols, one Nissan Navara and one Nissan NP300 pickup. The two Patrols were under the control of some Turkmenistan drivers while the Navara was from Romania and the Transcarpatic Rally Team while the Pickup was under Russian control by the Uspenskiy Rally Tecnica team.
Roads were tight and technical and fully studded tires were allowed and you can see that narrow profiles were the order of the day.
Results after the five stages ended with a Fin (Fins and snow, right?), Tapio Lauronen, taking the win in a “Mitsubishi Pajero”. The best Nissan of the event ended being the #215 Patrol of the Muhammetmyret Gurbanov in 17th of the 20 finishers. The other Nissans finished 18th and 19th with the Navara not taking the checkered flag.
