One of the highlights of the 54th Mecsek Rallye will be when the world's only privately owned Citroen C3 WRC completes its first race with Bútor Rob. TBR's car is a 2019 development, so it is one of the latest. In 2019, Sebastien Ogier competed with him, finishing second in Corsica and third in Portugal. At the end of the season, they also stood on the podium at the Wales Rally, finishing third there as well. Three podiums out of seven races, not a bad ratio. Last year, the Saintéloc Junior Team operated the car, Petter Solberg and Andreas Mikkelsen tested this year's Pirelli tires with it at the Sardinia Rally.

We asked Rob Bútor about the car and the Mecsek Rally even before the test in Cered.

This year's Rallye Mecsek will be the first without István Jelen...

For me, the Mecsek Rallye has been associated with it since I've been competing, it's strange to live that from now on the race will be without it, it makes me think, since I've been racing for 30 years next year and I've been here in almost every rally. Many common memories are connected with him, he organized very good competitions. I always had two favorites, Salgó and Mecsek, and lately the Veszprém Rally. The Mecsek Rallye has always been outstanding, I hope that the professional work will continue in a worthy manner without him, I think that the duo Markó Tibi - Robi Lakatos is a guarantee for this. I am debuting with the WRC here precisely because they can guarantee the standard that is required for the debut of such a car.

What are your favorite Mecsek tracks?

I can say that I like almost all the slopes in Mescek, perhaps my favorite is Camping-Árpádtetto, we went there a lot and I always really enjoyed it, but I also like Kisvaszar. The Árpádtetó – Orfű is fast and varied, the new asphalt section towards Orfű is like a mountain track, the environment is beautiful, the road is of very good quality. But I also like Pécsvárad, it's a real rally-type track, you have to absorb yourself there, I liked it better when I was younger. I know all of this year's courses, I like them, they are close to me, I am not afraid of any of them, I am really looking forward to the competition.

How close are the cities of Mecsek and Pécs to you?

Since I'm a forest and mountain fanatic, I really like it. The tracks in Pécs have the feeling I like, trees, heights, forest. I really like going to Pécs, I like the atmosphere of the city, the main square is a very nice part of the city. I also really like the style of the roads, and the fact that the rally is the main character here, just like in Miskolc or Gödöllő, as it has produced a lot of good racing drivers. During my active career, I was really looking forward to coming, and it was not by chance that I chose this race to start with the WRC.

How did you get hold of this wonder car?

I got there with great luck and a lot of work, since I also had to create the financial background, I built my own company and continued what my father and I started. The WRC was a dream for me, so towards the end of my career. I never wanted to stop active racing, all in a way that was spectator-friendly and, of course, for my own amusement. I had the Skoda and the 306 Maxi Peugeot and I wanted a WRC. It didn't even cross my mind that there would be a WRC with such a final specification, it's an unattainable story for a Hungarian. The story is like a fairy tale: one such car became available in the world, in France. This was reported by a fan, at which point we called the owner, a rental company, where they knew my name, I think, because of my old Citroen past. They responded immediately to the request for a quote, offering a number and a parts package that was suitable for us. The icing on the cake was that the 306 Maxi Peugeot was also included in the purchase price, which was a significant part, so the story came together in 3 hours, and I was able to sell the Skoda the next day. The whole story took place within a week from the first news. I have never managed anything simpler than this. I am not a religious person, but I think that I also received a little help from above, from my father. I can't believe that this can happen like this, because until now I have worked for every single penny, I have not received anything for free. I hope this success story continues.

How were the first kilometers and what are your plans for the Mecsek Rally?

We did the first kilometers in France before we paid for the car, it was a 30-kilometer test in a very serious go-kart track center, it was a great experience, but it's not among the trees and it's not a rally track. It was more about sliding and how to handle such a car, since I have never been in a WRC like this in my life, but it is top technology. I actually got to know the car very quickly, under those conditions, but the real test will be on Friday, a 100-150 kilometer practice session in Cered. We hired a French engineer, he is coming to help with the adjustment and use of the car, I hope it will be good. I definitely want to reach the finish line in Mecsek, to serve the spectators to the maximum, I don't chase vain dreams, I have no compulsion to win, the most important thing is to show such a car to the Hungarian fans, to enjoy every moment of it. That's why I don't stress too much, it takes time to learn to drive. But I hope it will be something that people remember for the first time. There is no opponent, I won't cross the finish line if I were first, I won't cross the finishing podium, I don't want to interfere with the competition.

fotó: MGR Images