Turán Frigyes : Különleges a kapcsolatom a Mecsekkel

Frigyes Turán: I have a special relationship with Mecsek

The last time Frigyes Turán won the Mecsek Rally was in 2013, when he was still competing with a Ford Focus RS WRC, and Zoltán Csökő was in the right car. The 54th Mecsek Rallyera arrives with a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, László Bagaméri is the navigator, but the goal is the same: to finish in absolute first place.

One of the determinants of my career was the mountain track in Mecsek, and motorsport in Mecsek has always been emotionally very close to me. I got a lot of very good memories here, and there were a couple of less good ones. I really like racing on the tracks around Pécs, so I'm really looking forward to the Mecsek Rally this year as well.

What was your best memory?

Huh, tough question. They say that you absolutely have to win the Mecsek Rallye, without which there is no career. This is already given to us. On the mountain course, I hold the top of the course with body cars. But now, as I think about it, there are countless moments that give me goosebumps, I received beautiful moments from the Mecsek. The love I have always received in Pécs is incredible. Here I have to single out the old men with wheels, with whom we have a special relationship due to my father's memory.

You mentioned the less beautiful memories, which ones hurt the most?

Maybe the IRC race, when we stood as the best Hungarians in the field and in Nyárásvölgy a stump played a joke on us, we flew into a tree and fell out. This was very painful because we were on the verge of a very good result, in a very good field. Maybe this, if something must be said, but I seriously believe that this neighborhood cannot cause us to go home with a bitter taste in our mouths.

Which of this year's tracks is your favorite?

Fridays are speed races because I like to race in the dark. Árpádtető is also my favorite, with the fact that we are now going to Orfű, it will also be a serious speed. But I wish we were already there and going.

This year's championship has not been easy for you so far. What is the goal now?

Unfortunately, I was at fault twice out of the three races. We slipped once, and on Salgó I touched the barrier with the left front wheel, a piece of the rim broke off, and that's why we got a puncture. But there's no point dwelling on the previous races, we have to look ahead. We have to perform well at the Mecsek Rally, that's no question. We have everything for this, so I'm looking forward to the start.

Perhaps you have the most experience in the field in fighting with foreign competitors. How surprised are you that you can compete with them at such a level?

I was surprised. Obviously, we have a serious advantage due to our knowledge of the track, but I think that the kilometers traveled and the preparation as a professional racing driver, which we cannot afford, are much more important. They're very clever boys, though, that's not even a question. We can be proud when we can get close to them, or even beat them. From the second or third race, it starts to become such a trend that it may seem from the outside that we can easily compete in front of them, but there is no question of that. The bottom line is that everybody has tightened their belts a little bit more and wants to fight these guys, so that's definitely good for the championship. In addition, it is a great pleasure and experience to be able to compete in such a field.

One of the special features of the 54th Mecsek Rally is that Robi Bútor competes here for the first time with the Citroen C3 WRC. Is this also good for the league?

By all means. What Robi has set for himself is a very good thing. Obviously he will be very fast, but he comes to the race to have fun and entertain, and we compete for points and the championship. I am proud that there is such a car in the Hungarian field, I am sincerely happy about it! I hope the audience and Rob will have a great weekend.