As we previously reported, the FIA ​​Motorsport Council (World Motor Sport Council) decided at the end of last year that the historic race of the 55th Mecsek Rallye can also take place - as the only domestic rally European event this year - on June 23-25, the Historic Rallye Among the nine rounds of the European Championship 2022 series. The words of two FIA observer officials, who both watched our last year's race - in fact, rather watched it with prying eyes - certainly meant a lot in this regard. We have now asked both of them for a short retrospective evaluation, which is also a look ahead to the new challenges we now face.

First, we publish a message from John Naylor, Chairman of the FIA ​​Historic Motorsport Committee.

- Mr. Naylor, you visited Pécs for the event last year as committee chairman. In this position, what is your most important task at each location?

– In this position, the task was new for me, as I was appointed head of the Motorsport Committee in 2021. So, my most important goal was, above all, getting to know each other and gaining experience, for which, of course, I have to be on site, in the flow of events. So it is natural that I wanted to visit as many events as possible and personally experience the conditions there. And in the meantime, of course, I offer my personal support to the organizers everywhere.

– What was your impression of us, how do you judge the event from your own point of view?

- I liked it, in my opinion, the event went well. But perhaps more importantly, the feedback from the protagonists and the contestants was also positive, they too had a good time. This is no wonder, as the Mecsek Rally boasts quite a few truly challenging stages. In addition, the ceremonies also take place in a particularly spectacular environment, for example, the field can roll through the start and finish podium in a patinated historical milieu, in the heart of the city center. So the organizers really bring the rally close to the people of Pécs. All in all, I think it was a good event, congratulations to the renewed management team.