Vasiliev: the biggest rival of Przygoński

(22.08.2018) Vladimir Vasiliev is one of the drivers, who have already won the FIA World Cup for Cross Country rallies – the trophy, which is the goal of Jakub Przygonski. Russian driver, who is expected to start in Columna Medica Baja Poland, seems to be Przygoński’s biggest rival on the road to the title.

Vasiliev, born in city of Tver – located around 170 kilometers from Moscov, have won FIA World Cup in 2014 season. It is pretty obvious that Russian driver would like to repeat this success this year. Winning the event, which he has never won – Baja Poland would keep Vladimir’s title hopes alive.

49-year old Russian is known as a very fast and effective driver, even though he started his career not so far ago – in 2009, when he competed in rounds of Russian Championship. His FIA World Cup debut came in 2011 season, when entering Italian round of the cup. Vasiliev celebrated his very first World Cup victory a year later also in Italy.

Just like many other World Cup competitors Vasiliev tackled the ultimate off-road challenge, which of course is the Dakar Rally. He made his first outing in South America marathon in 2013, when he finished 16th being the best rookie. It was 2015, when Russian driver reached finish of Dakar Rally in 5th position, what is his best result in this event, the same as for Przygoński. Vasiliev achieved this result behind the wheel of MINI.

He also began his 2018 World Cup campaign with the same car built by X-Raid. Together with his co-driver – Konstantin Zhilcov, they were fast and consistent and they managed to finish as many as five events in top three. Only in Italian Baja they failed to finish on podium. After this event Vasiliev decided to swap MINI for Toyota Hilux. He believes that Toyota, which is powered with petrol engine, will be more competitive in oncoming baja events.

Overdrive-built Hiluxes are used by multiple FIA World Cup and Dakar Rally winner Nasser Al-Attiyah. Soon it came out that jumping behind the wheel of Toyota was a good decision for Vasiliev and Zhilcov. Already in next round – Spanish Baja Aragon rally, Russian crew managed to win. However, in Hungarian Baja Vasiliev was less lucky. He celebrated his 49th birthday during this event, but unfortunately, he did not leave Hungary as a winner.

Vasiliev has Africa Eco Race victory under his belt too. Russian driver won this African rally in 2017. In the last edition of this event Vladimir came second. Meanwhile his best result in Baja Poland is 4th place in 2017 edition.

In three remaining rounds of the FIA World Cup there are still 120 points to score. Before Columna Medica Baja Poland the gap between Przygoński and Vasiliev is 57 points.

Organizers

Fundacja BAJA POLAND    PZM

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Szczecin     Dobra Szczecińska     Drawsko Pomorskie

 

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