MINI is absolutely dominating rally races around the world at this moment. After winning the Dakar Rally this year, Nani Roma is now showing other people how it’s done in other venues, posting a quadruple victory in the 2014 Baja Aragon race.
Four demanding stages meant Nani had to cover 666.13 kilometers in his MINI ALL4 Racing car, decked with the traditional striking yellow decals we’ve been getting used to, alongside his co-driver, Michel Perin.
Three of his team-mates finished right behind him with Orlando Terranova/Moi Torrallardona in second, Martin Kaczmarski/Tappio Suominen thrid and Vladimir Vasilyev/Konstantin Zhiltsov in fourth. Vasilyev is currently the World Cup leader.
Roma is, by now, the usual winner over at Baja Aragon, claiming the number one spot the last four times he raced here, the previous win being claimed no further back than 2013.
“The Baja Aragón is always something special,” said Roma. “It is a home race for me, but in 2009 it was also the first rally I did for the X-raid Team – and I won it right away. Last year, it also was a trouble-free event for me. So being able to repeat last year’s victory definitely feels good,” he added.
After a mixed start into the rally when Roma finished eighth, the reigning Dakar champion quickly bounced back on the first special stage by being the fastest driver of the 61 starters which also got the Spaniard the overall lead.
On special stages 2 and 3 he continued to convincingly extend his lead to 1:37.0 minutes on his team-mate Terranova. During the fourth and final special stage Roma decided to take a controlled approach to ensure the victory.
As for the overall standings, team Vasilyev/Zhiltsov and the MINI brand have a strong lead over the second place Yazeed Al-Rajhi/Timo Gottschalk team, being 63 points ahead (183/120). The next event in the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies will take place at Baja Hungary, between August 14-17.
Three of his team-mates finished right behind him with Orlando Terranova/Moi Torrallardona in second, Martin Kaczmarski/Tappio Suominen thrid and Vladimir Vasilyev/Konstantin Zhiltsov in fourth. Vasilyev is currently the World Cup leader.
Roma is, by now, the usual winner over at Baja Aragon, claiming the number one spot the last four times he raced here, the previous win being claimed no further back than 2013.
“The Baja Aragón is always something special,” said Roma. “It is a home race for me, but in 2009 it was also the first rally I did for the X-raid Team – and I won it right away. Last year, it also was a trouble-free event for me. So being able to repeat last year’s victory definitely feels good,” he added.
After a mixed start into the rally when Roma finished eighth, the reigning Dakar champion quickly bounced back on the first special stage by being the fastest driver of the 61 starters which also got the Spaniard the overall lead.
On special stages 2 and 3 he continued to convincingly extend his lead to 1:37.0 minutes on his team-mate Terranova. During the fourth and final special stage Roma decided to take a controlled approach to ensure the victory.
As for the overall standings, team Vasilyev/Zhiltsov and the MINI brand have a strong lead over the second place Yazeed Al-Rajhi/Timo Gottschalk team, being 63 points ahead (183/120). The next event in the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies will take place at Baja Hungary, between August 14-17.