According to local reports, the incident happened when the SUV’s driver mistakenly accelerated instead of braking while maneuvering into a parking spot. The sudden burst of speed launched the vehicle over the curb and straight onto the parked car underneath. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.

Witnesses claim that supermarket staff rushed to cover the vehicles with umbrellas and stood around the scene in an attempt to block photos ­— a reaction that only fueled more curiosity online. As videos surfaced, millions of users debated how such a collision was even physically possible.

The bizarre accident has since become a trending topic, with many comparing it to scenes from action movies rather than everyday life. Local authorities are investigating the exact cause, but so far all signs point to simple driver error.

Stage 2 presented a demanding mix of rocky tracks, soft sand, and the first major dunes of the rally, pushing crews and machines to the limit. Visibility was particularly challenging as competitors raced near the Algerian border, with dust and glare making navigation extremely difficult.

Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleón, driving the #202 GR Hilux EVO, showcased their consistency and pace, finishing third on the stage. Their calculated approach through the dunes earned them valuable time, placing them firmly in second overall in the provisional standings.

Teammates Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings (#204) were also on course for a top result before a rear differential failure with 110 km remaining forced them to complete the stage using only front-wheel drive. Despite the setback, the crew managed to reach the finish line and remain in the rally.

Seth Quintero and Andrew Short (#205) experienced similar misfortune, as their GR Hilux EVO suffered the same technical issue in the dunes, ending their day prematurely after showing strong pace throughout the stage.

Stage 3 on Wednesday will be the longest and most demanding of the rally — a 322 km loop around Erfoud featuring deep dunes, rocky tracks, wadis, and camel grass — combining slow technical sections with high-speed action.

Driver Quotes

Henk Lategan (#204):
“Today was really tough for us. The rear diff failed with many kilometers still to go — far from ideal, especially before the dunes. It made crossing them almost impossible and ended our realistic championship hopes. The positive is that we can restart tomorrow; the car can be repaired, and we’ll continue gaining experience for next year.”

Lucas Moraes (#202):
“It was a very nice stage, and the car worked perfectly all day. The dunes were challenging, especially with visibility being so bad. Near the end, we caught Ekström but decided to follow him to avoid any dune hazards. It was a solid day — I’m thankful to the team, and we’ll keep pushing.”

Seth Quintero (#205):
“It started as a great day — smooth, consistent, and fast. We were leading for most of the stage before losing the rear diff right before the dunes, which unfortunately ended our Morocco rally. Still, we’re taking positives from this — the teamwork with Andrew is great, and my driving feels stronger than ever.”

Taking place from October 16–19, the event is known for its border-crossing stages and technical complexity, with crews tackling 306.08 km of competitive distance over 18 demanding stages.

Crossing Borders: A Unique Challenge

The 2025 itinerary introduces a fresh twist: the rally begins in Germany on Thursday evening, before moving across all three host countries on Friday and Saturday. The final day on Sunday will feature the Beyond Borders stage — crossing from Austria to Germany — and Mühltal, serving as both the Power Stage and the longest test of the event.

Hyundai arrives as the defending two-time winner, with Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe victorious in 2023 and Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja taking the win in 2024 — a triumph that sealed the drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles for the team.

Strategic Focus for the Championship Fight

As the season enters its decisive phase, Hyundai is sharpening its strategy. For manufacturers’ points, only the crews of Neuville/Wydaeghe and Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria will be nominated. This allows the team to provide Tänak/Järveoja with the most competitive setup for their title campaign.

Under current regulations, Tänak and Järveoja will compete in the 2025 Rallye Monte-Carlo-spec Hyundai i20 N Rally1, equipped with a new engine — without incurring a five-minute penalty. The Monte-Carlo configuration, well-suited to tarmac, will give Tänak a crucial edge in the championship chase.

Meanwhile, Neuville and Fourmaux will debut upgrades on their 2025 evo-spec Hyundai i20 N Rally1 cars, featuring new damper struts designed to further enhance handling and stability. Their task will be both to deliver strong results and to continue evolving the car’s performance package ahead of the season finale.

Team Perspective

Cyril Abiteboul, Hyundai Motorsport President and Team Principal, commented:

“We’re fully committed to the championship fight and pushing for every point. In supporting Ott and Martin, we’re taking advantage of the sporting regulations by introducing a new engine without penalty. They will return to the Monte-spec i20 N Rally1 after positive test feedback. Meanwhile, Thierry and Adrien will continue development of the evo-spec car with damper updates — key for Rally Japan and beyond.”

Crew Notes

Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (#8 Hyundai i20 N Rally1)

• Estonian crew aiming for maximum points in title battle

• Winners of the 2024 Central European Rally

Tänak said:

“We’ve competed here a few times now, so we know what to expect. Weather is always a major factor — the cuts make roads dirty, and grip levels change constantly. Experience really counts here. We’re still in the championship hunt, so a top performance is absolutely essential.”

Thierry Neuville / Martijn Wydaeghe (#1 Hyundai i20 N Rally1)

• Targeting a third consecutive podium at the event

• Winners in 2023, third place in 2024

Neuville said:

“Central European Rally is close to home and one of my favourites, but it’s unpredictable. October weather makes grip levels tricky, and the amount of cuts increases puncture risk. Finding the right balance between risk and reward is key. We’ll be pushing for another podium — ideally, the win.”

Adrien Fourmaux / Alexandre Coria (#16 Hyundai i20 N Rally1)

• Won Rally2 category in 2023

• Looking to carry podium momentum from Rally Chile

Fourmaux said:

“This is one of the toughest events of the year. The contrast between the narrow Czech stages and the smoother German and Austrian roads makes tyre choice and grip assessment difficult. Switching back to tarmac after so many gravel rallies requires precision. We’re aiming to fight for the podium.”

Weekend at a Glance

• Thursday: Two loops of Golf und Therme (SS1/2, 12.83km)

• Friday: Cross-border action with Granit und Wald (SS3/8, 10.86km), Böhmerwald (SS4/7, 15.27km), and Col de Jan (SS5/6, 23.37km)

• Saturday: The longest day — Made in FRG (SS9/14, 14.30km), Keply (SS10/12, 21.95km), and Klatovy (SS11/13, 15.57km), totalling 103.64km

• Sunday: Final push with Beyond Borders (SS15/17, 12.37km) and Mühltal (SS16/18, 26.52km) — the Power Stage and event decider

Ignition On: A New Chapter at M-Sport

“My name’s Matthew and I studied Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde,” he begins. “I joined M-Sport in October 2024 as a Graduate Transmissions Engineer.”

For Matthew, joining M-Sport was about more than simply finding his first role after university.
“I’ve been obsessed with cars since I was a kid. Throughout my studies, I knew I wanted to work in motorsport,” he says. “When I discovered M-Sport’s graduate programme, it immediately stood out — the chance to work for such a respected name in rallying, in a hands-on engineering environment, and in such a beautiful part of the country, felt like the perfect fit.”

Building Pace: From Theory to Track

Matthew’s first year at M-Sport has been packed with learning, discovery, and real-world engineering challenges. With a strong background in both electrical and mechanical systems, he was eager to put his knowledge into action.
“My studies gave me a solid foundation in mechanical systems and problem-solving — essential for understanding how transmissions perform under the extreme demands of rallying,” he explains.

His experience building a Formula Student car at university had already sparked a love for applied engineering, making the transition to M-Sport a natural next step.
“Joining M-Sport felt like the perfect progression,” Matthew says. “It’s where you take everything you’ve learned in theory and apply it to real-world motorsport. The team has been incredibly supportive, helping me build on that foundation and grow as an engineer.”

One standout moment came early on. “It really hit me when I went to watch the Carlisle Stages BRC,” he recalls. “Seeing Romet and Garry fly past in Rally2 cars — and then watching Romet win — was incredible. That’s when I realised: wow, I’m really part of something big here.”

In the Fast Lane: Life at M-Sport

Life in motorsport is all about adapting, reacting, and improving — and Matthew thrives on that energy.
“It’s exciting, fast, and no two days are ever the same,” he says. Following M-Sport’s success on the world stage has been a proud experience.
“Watching our cars compete and knowing I’ve played even a small part in that is amazing,” he says. “Seeing Jon and Romet take a 1-2 at Ceredigion was a real highlight. That’s when all the hard work pays off — everyone here wants to win.”

Shifting Up a Gear: Growing with M-Sport

After completing his first year, Matthew moved into the role of Junior Rally Engineer — a testament to how quickly graduates can progress within M-Sport.
“The title is new, but I’m still learning every day,” he explains. “The graduate scheme gave me a strong foundation, and now I’m taking on more responsibility and more complex projects.”

Looking ahead, Matthew aims to continue developing his skills and eventually lead his own engineering projects.
“I’d love to lead a project one day. It’s a big goal, but being surrounded by so many talented people makes it feel achievable.”

Navigating the Next Stage: Advice for Aspiring Engineers

When it comes to advice, Matthew keeps it simple:
“Get as much hands-on experience as possible. It doesn’t have to be directly in motorsport — anything practical and automotive-related helps. Employers look for curiosity, initiative, and effort. Don’t be afraid to get stuck in and learn by doing.”

He adds, “If you’re passionate about motorsport and ready to learn, M-Sport is the perfect place to start your career. You’ll be challenged, supported, and surrounded by people who share that same drive to be the best. You don’t just learn at M-Sport — you live engineering every day.”

Matthew’s story perfectly captures what the M-Sport Graduate Programme is all about: passion, progress, and performance. For graduates ready to see their engineering come alive on the rally stage — and be part of a team that never stops pushing forward — M-Sport is where careers go full throttle.

Team MRF Tyres also celebrated, securing the ERC Teams’ Championship, with Tymek Abramowski and Calle Carlberg claiming the ERC3 and ERC4 titles respectively.

Rain Turns Final Day into a Challenge

Heavy overnight rain transformed Sunday’s final stages – Veliko Trgovišće – Klanjec (13.61 km) and Zagorska Sela – Kumrovec (14.24 km) – into treacherous, unpredictable tests.

Marczyk, who had struggled on Saturday and ended the day sixth, launched a fierce comeback on Sunday. As rivals Mille Johansson, Norbert Maior, and Robert Virves ran into trouble, Marczyk climbed to third – a position that secured him the championship if he held it to the finish.

Meanwhile, Armstrong maintained his dominant pace, winning five of Saturday’s six stages and sealing the Power Stage victory for maximum points. However, Marczyk’s consistent result ensured the Pole couldn’t be caught in the title fight.

Support Categories: Carlberg and Abramowski Seal Their Crowns

In ERC4, Sweden’s Calle Carlberg enjoyed a perfect weekend, winning all ten stages in his Opel Corsa Rally4 and adding the overall class title to his Junior ERC crown.

In ERC3, Poland’s Tymek Abramowski overcame late suspension issues and an off-road scare to secure the season title in his Ford Fiesta Rally3.

Milestone and Emotion at the Finish Line

For Østberg, his second-place finish was a fitting celebration of his 300th rally start, met with cheers from Croatian fans.

At the finish, an emotional Marczyk said:

“I don’t know what to say because it was quite a lot of emotions, but it’s important to trust in the process. This is probably my biggest dream in my sporting life. When I was 15, I started indoor karting, and then I decided to go rallying... Thank you to everyone, my sponsors, and Michelin tyres. I’m very happy, even if still a bit stressed not to make any mistake.”

Armstrong, gracious in defeat, added:

“It’s been an amazing year and I have so many people to thank. Shane (Byrne, co-driver) and I have done a great job. What an event! To win the Power Stage — we couldn’t do much more.”

The Croatia Rally 2025 provided the perfect curtain call for a thrilling FIA ERC season — filled with speed, drama, and determination across Europe’s toughest asphalt roads.

Championship leader Miko Marczyk delivered the fastest run in his Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, clocking 3m55.9s to secure the all-important first road position for Saturday’s stages.

Close behind, Mads Østberg — marking his 300th career start — impressed with second place, just 0.8s adrift. Reigning Polish champion Jakub Matulka secured third, while Robert Virves and Jon Armstrong rounded out the top five.

Meanwhile, Marczyk’s closest rival in the title fight, Andrea Mabellini, suffered a setback after running wide on the opening corner and had to settle for eighth place, losing valuable ground in the championship battle.

There was also history made off the stage: Martin Vlček became the first-ever Master ERC Champion, marking a milestone achievement in the series.

Fans can now look forward to tonight’s Ceremonial Start at 18:30 at the INA headquarters in Zagreb, preceded by the popular Meet the Crews session at 17:50.

After completing reconnaissance of the qualifying stage and shakedown on Thursday, drivers returned to the roads early Friday morning to continue familiarizing themselves with the rally itinerary. From 09:00 to 16:00, reconnaissance was scheduled for the stages Krašić – Sošice, Hartje – Stojdraga and Breganica – Smerovišće, while in the afternoon (14:00–19:00) crews noted the legendary routes of Veliko Trgovišće – Klanjec and Zagorska Sela – Kumrovec.

Tomorrow’s competitive programme opens with Free Practice at 09:30 near Kupljenovo, followed by the Qualifying Stage at 11:16 and the Shakedown at 12:45, setting the stage for a thrilling weekend of rally action. Fans can access stage locations through the Spectators section on the official website, with both Google and PDF maps available to ensure safe and easy viewing.

Ceremonial Start in Zagreb

After the on-road preparations, the action shifts to the Croatian capital for the Ceremonial Start of ERC Croatia Rally 2025. The opening event will take place in front of the INA headquarters, at the intersection of Većeslav Holjevac Avenue and Dubrovnik Avenue – a traditional hotspot for rally fans.

Before the start, from 17:50 to 18:20, spectators will enjoy a special “Meet the Crews” session, offering the chance to get close to Europe’s and Croatia’s top rally drivers. Among the stars present are Martin and Dora Ravenščak, Jan Pokos, Calle Carlberg, Ioan Lloyd, Tymek Abramowski, Hubert Kowalczyk, Miko Marczyk, Andrea Mabellini and Jon Armstrong – all key contenders for the 2025 European championship title.

At 18:30, the Ceremonial Start begins, with crews crossing the start ramp in order from the highest to lowest competition numbers. Leading the way will be national championship drivers (MZPH and Croatian Championship), including WRC star Adrien Fourmaux with co-driver Alex Coria. They will be followed by ERC entrants battling for valuable points in the FIA European Rally Championship.

The streets of Zagreb are set to host a true motorsport spectacle – the perfect prelude to a weekend filled with speed, adrenaline, and top-level rally competition.

Route and Stages

The rally features a total of 10 special stages covering 172.36 km, with the overall route including road sections reaching nearly 590 km.

• Friday evening will see the ceremonial start.

• Saturday offers six stages, with the longest being Krašić – Sošice (22.70 km).

• Sunday closes the rally with four stages, finishing with the decisive Power Stage “Zagorska Sela – Kumrovec.”

Croatian asphalt is notoriously tricky – a mix of fast sections and technical corners, often with changing surface and grip levels. This makes it one of the toughest rallies on the ERC calendar.

Championship Standings

Ahead of the final round, the top of the standings looks like this:

1. Miko Marczyk – 146 pts

2. Andrea Mabellini – 131 pts

3. Jon Armstrong – 113 pts

It is worth noting that Miko Marczyk has contested all rounds this season, while Mabellini and Armstrong each missed one event. This adds extra intrigue going into the showdown in Zagreb.

What to Expect

• Marczyk starts as the favorite, but consistency and avoiding mistakes will be key to sealing the title.

• Mabellini and Armstrong are expected to push flat out, as only a victory or podium finish can keep their title hopes alive.

• Sunday’s Power Stage could prove decisive, with bonus points often tipping the balance in the championship fight.

Fans can expect a thrilling season finale, as Croatia will crown the new ERC champion.

Over six intense days of racing, Lucas Moraes and his navigator Armand Monleón claimed their first W2RC victory, while teammates Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings secured second place, just 53 seconds behind. Together, the pair delivered a strategic and harmonious performance that ensured Toyota’s place at the top of the championship.

Nasser Al-Attiyah of the Dacia Sandriders completed the podium, taking third overall after a competitive run.

With this result, Toyota Gazoo Racing not only dominated the Portuguese rally-raid but also confirmed its supremacy in the 2025 W2RC season.

Top 3 Finishers – W2RC Car Class