After making a handful of appearances in the RallyX Championship in recent years, Janis Baumanis is now set to embark on a full-time campaign in the CrossCar category, beginning with the upcoming Tierp round scheduled for May 15-17.

A genuine CrossCar specialist, the Latvian driver is eager to take the next step in his career by joining one of Europe’s most competitive championships.

While this will not be Janis’ first RallyX appearance, his previous outings already gave him a clear understanding of the highly competitive nature of the series.

“I would first like to point out that this will not be my first experience in the RallyX Championship. I’ve already competed in two rounds held in Riga at the Biķernieki circuit. Those events allowed me to gain valuable experience and compete against some of the very best CrossCar drivers,” Janis explained before continuing:

“I have been following the RallyX Championship closely for a long time. The series clearly provides an ideal platform for young drivers looking to prove themselves at the highest level. After extensive discussions with my team, we quickly realised that this was the perfect environment for me to continue developing while competing against top-level drivers. As soon as the opportunity to join the series came up, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I’m really looking forward to starting this new season at Tierp.”

Behind this carefully considered move lies a career path that has been methodically built over nearly a decade.

“I began my motorsport career in 2016 in autocross within the CrossCar category. I won the Latvian national title during my very first season before switching to rallycross in 2018 by competing in the FIA North European Zone Championship (FIA NEZ). Up until 2025, I competed in the Baltic and Estonian rallycross championships, an experience that allowed me to build significant mileage and continue progressing at a high level. Between 2022 and 2025, I also served as lead driver for Latvian buggy manufacturer Hornet Factory Racing Team, a collaboration that proved particularly valuable in terms of CrossCar development and operation.”

With years of experience gained across multiple championships, Janis Baumanis now feels ready to take on a more international stage. For him, RallyX represents an opportunity to step outside his comfort zone and compete against some of Europe’s leading CrossCar talents.

“With my background in rallycross, I wanted to take on a new challenge and experience the highly dynamic RallyX format. Several factors motivated me. First of all, the level of competition is extremely high, with drivers coming from many different countries. The CrossCar category is also incredibly demanding: even the smallest mistake can cost several positions, which means you constantly need to be precise and perform at your best,” explained the Latvian driver.

“For me, this is an important step in my career. I want to gain international experience and continue improving in a highly competitive environment. It’s also important to mention that motorsport is not my main professional activity. The RallyX calendar, being more compact and well-structured, is therefore a major advantage as it allows me to balance racing, personal life and professional commitments.”

Only days away from his full-time RallyX return, Janis Baumanis is fully aware that this first full campaign will leave no room for improvisation. Between the depth of the field and the challenge of learning new circuits, every race weekend will demand rapid adaptation behind the wheel of his Speedcar Wonder chassis.

“I’m expecting a very intense and demanding season, which is exactly what I’m looking for. The championship features many fast and experienced drivers, so every race will be a real test for both myself and the team. It will also be a great opportunity to discover several circuits I’ve never raced on before. One of my main goals will be to adapt quickly and maintain a consistent level of performance throughout the season.”

The Latvian driver’s primary objective will be to establish himself consistently among the frontrunners throughout the campaign.

“My goal is quite simple: to reach the final at every round. If I can regularly fight for top-three finishes, that would already be an excellent result. At that point, I’ll be able to say that my season has been a complete success.”