Neubauer wins Austrian rally title for third time

Hermann Neubauer has won Austria’s rally championship for the third time, ORF reported. The driver from Lungau and co-driver Ursula Gaßner won the 1000 Hills Rally in Lower Austria on Saturday.

Neubauer set the fastest time on six of the rally’s 14 special stages. He had previously won the Austrian rally championship in 2016 and 2019.

The event featured a three-way battle between title contenders Neubauer, Simon Wagner and Michael Lengauer. Neubauer took the lead with the fastest time on the opening special stage on Friday and gradually extended his advantage. Wagner’s title hopes ended after he went off the road on the 11th stage. Lengauer suffered the same fate on the final stage, when he needed Neubauer to retire at the last moment.

Neubauer brought his car to the finish in Krumbach without damage. It was the first Toyota drivers’ championship title since Franz Wittmann won in a Toyota Corolla WRC in 2001.

“A few months ago, I wouldn’t have thought I could become rally champion again,” Neubauer said. “I think there was also a bit of luck that comes with hard work. I prepared very carefully and perfectly, and so did the team.”

The 1000 Hills Rally was held on Friday and Saturday around Krumbach, Kirchschlag and the Wechsel region in the Alps and foothills of southern Lower Austria. The rally covered more than 460 kilometres, including 154 kilometres across the 14 special stages.