The most successful Budapest-Bamako so far ended in the capital of Mali on Sunday. After last year’s unfinished rally, now a real public celebration welcomed the competitors.
On Sunday at 3 pm, the sixth edition of Budapest-Bamako officially ended in Bamako, capital of Mali. At the most spectacular finish so far, African drummers and dancers welcomed the teams with Malian and international TV crews also present.
One of the first vehicles to arrive was the rusty Polski Fiat (Rat Polski Team). At the start not many would have bet on they would finish the rally… ’This is incredible but we did it!,’ said the two team members enthusiastically. They were followed closely by the Zastava and the Slovenian Renault 4.
In the racing category, Juraj and Daniela Ulrichova (Raid Adventure Team) were the first to arrive, followed by the other rcing crews. Barna Kőváry (Hungarian rally driver and TV presenter) covered the last 50 metres on foot, running, to be able to reach the finish line by the deadline, 3 pm. According to the regulations, the vehicle itself doesn’t need to cross the finish line, it’s enough ifone of the team members hands in the task sheet on time.
Only 125 of the 160 crews started arrived to Bamako and 18 of the 40 race category entries finish in the time limit. Competitors were greeted by the Malian Minister of Tourism who expressed his thank for the trust given to his country.
Soon after the finish, the annual Bamako car market started. This is the day of joy for the car dealers of Mali, as at this time they can obtain good quality 4×4 vehicles. Some of the competitors have already sold their vehicles, and the market continues on Monday and Tuesday.
At 9 pm with the closing ceremony the sixth Budapest-Bamako officially comes to an end.
A large amount of donations will be delivered from the truck of African-Hungarian Association and Kádár Sped to the local organisations tomorrow.
Results:
Position Race # Team name Points
1 18 GOGO DB Team 1053
2 15 Drink Team 1025
3 38 Raid Adventure Team 1008
4 23 White Elephant 984
5 6 Vadludak 966
6 1 Safety Car 928
7 12 Duna TV 918
8 26 PROMETEIA 896
9 19 Team Funck 849
10 36 Team Always Sick But Never Dies 844
11 8 Savaria Motorsport Team SE 736
12 29 Norwegian Budapest-Bamako Team 708
13 34 Arro’ Architetti 660
14 5 Redda Posta Bamako Team 518
15 7 Vedd Észre 492
16 33 Islanders 453
17 25 Lenke 427
18 32 Solter 3 414
19 35 Team Oljeskiftexpressen 385
20 3 BAmaKŐ 374
21 21 Afroteam 364
22 161 Egerszeg AirCraft 250
23 30 Solter 1 221
24 11 Safari Race 201
25 24 Redeco Team 198
26 28 CCT-Team 196
27 169 MárkASzerviz 162
28 2 Tubi Team 136
29 9 MCG Films Team 111
30 27 Fischer Motorsport 109
31 37 Crazy Boabab 65
32 39 Space Station Plc 13
33 20 Team Hawaii 2
34 16 makezdtemSanyikám -33