Polish driver Domzala wins Latvia mini rally at Bikernieki circuit
Poland's Domzala won the overall standings at the "Latvija" mini rally, a motorsport event held at the Bikernieki circuit in Riga. Estonian rally champion Karl Martin Volver finished second, 16 seconds behind.
The "Latvija" mini rally, a motorsport event run over asphalt special stages, took place at the Bikernieki circuit in Riga. Polish driver Domzala won the overall classification, ahead of Karl Martin Volver, the 2026 Estonian rally champion, who finished 16 seconds behind.
The fight for victory
Competitors had to complete the 4.60 km and 3.75 km asphalt stages three times each in autumn conditions. A total of 130 crews started, including several drivers well known in the rally world.
Volver, driving a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, won the first stage and took the lead. By the second stage Domzala was fastest and moved into first place overall, then won the remaining stages as well. Volver was second four times and third once.
Third place overall went to Latvians Martins Locmelis and Harijs Vejins in a Subaru Impreza, who also won the 4WD+ class. Estonian Martin Kutser was second in that class, with Atis Priedolins and Elvis Martins Andersons third.
Other class winners
Domzala and Volver took the top two places in the 4WD Open group. Elviss Hermanis and Miks Hermanis, in a Skoda Fabia R5, were third in it and seventh overall. Ralfs Sirmacis and Kitija Sirmace were heading for third, but a 30-second penalty dropped them to fourth.
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs also took part. Co-driven by Andris Veinbergs in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, he finished 13th overall and fifth in the 4WD Open group.
Lauris Ozerovs and Gatis Jansons won the 4WD class, and Rihards Baumanis and Ugis Nikodemus won 4WD Rookie. Adrians Apsitis and Nikola Smeltere triumphed in the 2WD Open group. In the Buggy class Martins Sesks and Kristaps Skrodis were victorious, while Aleksis Kreps and Richards Abakumovs won the Student classification.
