The FIA World Rally Championship’s want for velocity takes it to Poland subsequent week (June 27-30) for the primary of three fast-paced gravel contests in succession.
Following the powerful and technical levels of Rally Italia Sardegna, the WRC switches to sooner and smoother gravel roads for back-to-back visits to Poland, Latvia and Finland throughout an thrilling summer season of top-flight rallying.
One younger expertise with a gilt-edged alternative to shine is Mārtiṇš Sesks. The 24-year-old, a winner within the FIA European Rally Championship, has been handed a Rally1 drive for the occasions in Poland and his native Latvia.
Notably, his look in a Ford Puma Rally1 on eightieth ORLEN Rally Poland will make him the primary driver to compete in a Rally1 automotive within the WRC with out the usage of hybrid expertise underneath new laws for the 2024 season. These enable Rally1 vehicles to be entered on WRC occasions with equal ballast weight in lieu of the plug-in hybrid system as a part of ongoing efforts to assist drivers take the step from Rally2 to Rally1 equipment.
Following his look in Poland, an occasion he received final season when it shaped a part of the FIA ERC, Sesks will look to construct on the expertise he positive factors on the Mikołajki-based occasion by stepping as much as a full hybrid-powered Puma Rally1 on Rally Latvia in July.
The WRC has gone from energy to energy since Poland was final a part of the schedule. The hybrid-powered Rally1 laws got here on stream in 2022 – with a give attention to larger security and efficiency – when the transfer to fossil-free gas was additionally made. The championship returned to Africa and Asia the earlier yr, a brand new points-scoring system was launched for 2024, whereas myriad younger drivers have emerged every season to underline the game’s thrilling future.
Earlier this month, technical stability has been agreed between all stakeholders for the 2025 and 2026 WRC seasons. Throughout its gathering in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the World Motor Sport Council confirmed that, following in depth suggestions and discussions, the WRC Technical Rules for Rally1/2 vehicles will stay unchanged for the approaching two years, whereas the next targets have been set (click on right here for more information):
• Key targets are aimed primarily at rising participation on the highest stage as beforehand set out by the FIA.• It’s a sturdy expectation of the World Council that the present producers will decide to the long-term way forward for the game nicely upfront. • Following a transparent pledge to speculate from the WRC Promoter, the FIA will strengthen its group throughout the Business and Communications Departments to increase their help for the Promoter and the important thing stakeholders across the Promotional Working Group. • There might be a powerful give attention to managing the sporting laws following the creation of the WRC Sporting Working Group, with a key emphasis on rising the alternatives for media activation and decreasing the prices for its opponents.
With Rally Poland a founding spherical of the FIA WRC again in 1973, the eightieth version of the world’s second oldest rally, which first ran in 1921, represents one thing of a homecoming. And having not hosted the worldwide sequence since 2017, the nation’s return on the midway level of the season is eagerly anticipated.
Official tyre provider Pirelli gives its Scorpion KX in exhausting and comfortable compounds for spherical seven of the FIA WRC season. The comfortable compound is the primary alternative to be used in cool and damp circumstances, whereas the exhausting compound is the choice if it’s heat and dry. Rally1 groups can use a most of 28 tyres for ORLEN eightieth Rally Poland together with 4 for Thursday’s Shakedown.
THE ROUTE IN SHORT
Primarily based within the city of Mikołajki within the picturesque Masurian lake district – three hours north of the capital Warsaw – this yr’s Rally Poland is vastly completely different to the 2023 version with simply the Mikołajki Area and Świętajno levels unchanged since final season.
After the standard ceremonial begin has taken place in Mikołajki’s fundamental sq., the actual motion will get underneath approach on Thursday June 27 on the Mikołajki Area, purpose-built adjoining to the service park for head-to-head competitors.
A loop of three levels – Stańczyki, Wieliczki and Olecko – will take a look at the crews on Friday morning adopted by a Tyre Becoming Zone in Olecko. The morning loop is then repeated within the afternoon with one other run of the two.50-kilometre Mikołajki Area rounding out the day. At 29.40 kilometres, Stańczyki is the rally’s longest stage, whereas Olecko options the well-known Rosochackie bounce, however in reverse course to earlier than.
Saturday’s leg gives probably the most aggressive motion –124.10 kilometres of operating – with crews tackling the Świętajno, Gołdap and Czarne levels. The morning loop additionally options the third operating of the Mikołajki Area stage previous to service within the grounds of Mikołajki’s gigantic Lodge Gołębiewski, after which the opening three morning exams are repeated.
Sunday concludes with double runs via the Gmina Mrągowo and Mikołajki exams, with the latter counting because the points-paying Wolf Energy Stage. At 10.73-kilometres, SS19 Mikołajki is because of start at 14:15 native time with the closing kilometres contained in the Mikołajki Area, from the place the prize-giving podium might be situated from 15:15.
RALLY POLAND DATA
Stage distance: 303.16 kmTotal distance: 1375.64 kmNumber of levels: 19
RALLY1 CONTENDERS
Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally TeamThe provisional WRC factors chief after six rounds, Thierry Neuville is a earlier Rally Poland winner and drives the lead Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid. He’s joined within the Germany-based squad by Ott Tänak and one other former Rally Poland victor, Andreas Mikkelsen. Tänak claimed his first win of the season on the earlier spherical, Rally Italia Sardegna, whereas Mikkelsen final competed for the group in Croatia.
M-Sport Ford World Rally TeamAdrien Fourmaux leads the road on the M-Sport Ford World Rally Workforce having twice completed on the rostrum in 2024 aboard his Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid. Like Fourmaux, Grégoire Munster is a Rally Poland rookie however begins the occasion contemporary from touchdown a WRC career-best fifth in Sardinia. Mārtiṇš Sesks, the Rally Poland winner in 2023 when it counted as a spherical of the FIA ERC, makes his Rally1 debut in a 3rd non-hybrid Puma.
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRTDouble Rally Poland winner Sébastien Ogier continues his partial WRC marketing campaign after he was denied victory on the ultimate stage in Sardinia. Workforce-mates Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta will compete in an identical Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid vehicles.
SUPPORTING CATEGORIES
Twenty-three crews are eligible for FIA WRC2 factors on ORLEN eightieth Rally Poland. However with the present prime two within the standings – Yohan Rossel and Jan Solans – not nominating the occasion as certainly one of their scoring rounds, the chasing pack will look to take benefit.
Contenders embody Oliver Solberg (Toksport WRT Škoda Fabia RS Rally2), Sami Pajari (Printsport Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) and Nikolay Gryazin (DG Sport Competitors Citroën C3 Rally2), whereas Solberg’s teammate Gus Greensmith has been a winner within the class this season.
Motorsport Eire Rally Academy-supported Josh McErlean (Škoda Fabia RS) scored his breakthrough FIA WRC2 podium in Portugal, one place forward of Lauri Joona on the wheel of one other Škoda.
Polish hero Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Škoda Fabia RS) is a three-time FIA European Rally Championship winner who claimed the FIA WRC2 Challenger crown in 2023. His youthful compatriot, Miko Marczyk (Škoda Fabia RS), has twice claimed his nationwide title. Like Kajetanowicz, Marczyk is a former Rally Poland winner.
Germany’s Armin Kremer and Poland’s Michal Sołowow, each in Škoda Fabia RS vehicles, are anticipated to problem for FIA WRC Masters Cup honours.
The ten-strong FIA WRC3 line-up consists of Diego Domińguez from Paraguay, Jan Černý from Czech Republic and rising Polish driver Jakub Matulka.
MEDIA INFORMATION
Media accreditation and media middle.
Media accreditation have to be collected in particular person by accredited move holders from the Accreditation Desk, Rally HQ, Lodge Gołębiewski, 34 Mragowska Road, Mikołajki, Poland. The media middle is situated on the identical place.
Media accreditation – Opening hours:Tuesday 25 June: 14:00 – 20:00 hrsWednesday 26 June: 08:00 – 20:00 hrsThursday 27 June: 08:00 – 20:00 hrsFriday 28 June: upon request solely to accreditation@rallypoland.pl
Media Centre – Opening hours:Tuesday 25 June: 14:00 – 20:00 hrsWednesday 26 June: 08:00 – 20:00 hrsThursday 27 June: 08:00 – 22:00 hrsFriday 28 June: 08:00 – 22:00 hrsSaturday 29 June: 08:00 – 22:00 hrsSunday 30 June: 08:00 – 22:00 hrs
Media actions and alternatives *
Wednesday 26 June 17:00Mandatory Tabard Media Security Briefing, Media Centre17:30 – 18:30Boat regatta with chosen P1 crews no. 9, 16, 18 (Wioska Żeglarska Jezioro Mikołajskie) Thursday June 27 10:01 – 10:00Shakedown for P1 drivers and invited drivers (Lubiewo, 5.10 km)11:01 – 12:30Shakedown for P1 and P2 drivers (Lubiewo, 5.10 km)13:01 – 13:30Shakedown for P3 and non-priority drivers (Lubiewo, 5.10 km)13:00 – 14:30FIA WRC Media Pen with P1/P2 drivers and P1 Workforce Principals (Service Park)16:20 – 16:50Autograph signing session with all P1 crews and crews no. 20, 26, 38 (Mikołajki Fundamental Sq.)17:00Ceremonial Begin (Mikołajki Fundamental Sq.)18:05 – 18:45FIA WRC Meet the Crews/Pre-rally FIA Press Convention (Mikołajki Area – Fan Zone)18:50Start of Part 1 (Service Park) Friday June 28 06:20Start of Part 2 (Parc Fermé)Approx. 11:45Media Zone at TC4A (Olecko)Approx. 19:05Media Zone at TC8A (Mikolajki Service Park)Approx. 20:00FIA WRC Meet the Crews with P1 Workforce Principals and prime three drivers (Service Park) Saturday June 29 07:10Start of Part 5 (Parc Fermé)Approx. 13:30Media Zone at TC12A (Mikolajki Service Park)Approx. 20:00Media Zone at TC15A (Mikolajki Service Park)Approx. 21:15FIA WRC Meet the Crews with P1 Workforce Principals and prime three drivers (Service Park) Sunday June 30 08:00Start of Part 5 (Parc Fermé)Approx. 10:15Media Zone at TC17A (Mikolajki Service Park)Approx. 14:25Media Zone at TC19A (Rally end, podium holding space)15:15Finish Ceremony and post-rally FIA Press Convention (Mikołajki Area – Fan Zone)
*All occasions native, approximate and topic to alter
Media zones
Media Zones attended by all drivers and chosen group representatives will function as follows: TC 4A, TC 8A, TC 12A, TC 15A, TC 17A and TC 19A
FIA WRC Meet the Crews stay interviews, Mikołajki Area – Fan Zone, Thursday 27 June
18:05 – 18:15 – FIA WRC Producer Workforce PrincipalsCyril Abiteboul (FRA), Hyundai Shell Mobis WRTJari-Matti Latvala (FIN), Toyota Gazoo Racing WRTRichard Millener (GBR), M-Sport Ford WRT
18:15 – 18:30 – FIA WRC Help ChampionshipsFIA WRC2 – Toksport WRT, Oliver Solberg (SWE), Škoda Fabia RS Rally2FIA WRC2/FIA WRC2 Challenger – Kajetan Kajetanowicz (POL), Škoda Fabia RS Rally2FIA WRC Masters Cup – Armin Kremer (DEU), Škoda Fabia RS Rally2FIA WRC3 – Jakub Matulka (POL), Ford Fiesta Rally3
18:30 – 18:45 – FIA World Rally ChampionshipHyundai Shell Mobis WRT, Ott Tänak (EST), Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HybridToyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Sébastien Ogier (FRA), Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 HybridM-Sport Ford WRT, Grégoire Munster (LUX), Ford Puma Rally1 HybridM-Sport Ford WRT, Mārtinš Sesks (LVA), Ford Puma Rally1
FIA Publish-event Press Convention, Mikołajki Area – Fan Zone, Sunday 30 June, from 15:15
High 3 drivers in total classification, successful co-driver and consultant of the successful producer.Successful drivers within the FIA WRC2, WRC2 Challenger, WRC3, WRC Masters Cup classes.
The FIA WRC Meet the Crews on Thursday and post-event FIA Press Convention on Sunday might be broadcast stay on WRC and FIA social media channels.
RALLY POLAND MANUFACTURER ENTRIES
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRTElfyn Evans (GBR)/Scott Martin (GBR) – #33 Sébastien Ogier (FRA)/Vincent Landais (FRA) – #17 Takamoto Katsuta (JPN)/Aaron Johnston (IRL) – #18 Hyundai Shell Mobis WRTThierry Neuville (BEL)/Martijn Wydaeghe (BEL) – #11 Ott Tänak (EST)/Martin Järveoja (EST) – #8 Andreas Mikkelsen (NOR)/Torstein Eriksen (NOR) – #9 M-Sport Ford WRTAdrien Fourmaux (FRA)/Alexandre Coria (FRA) – #16 Grégoire Munster (LUX)/Louis Louka (BEL) – #13
RALLY POLAND 2023 RESULTS**
1. Mārtinš Sesks (LVA)/Renārs Francis (LVA)Škoda Fabia RS Rally21h34m57.8s2. Hayddon Paddon (NZL)/John Kennard (NZL)Hyundai i20 N Rally2+39.6s3. Miko Marczyk (POL)/Szymon Gospodarczyk (POL)Škoda Fabia RS Rally2+1m04.9s
RALLY POLAND RECENT WINNERS**
2023Mārtinš Sesks/Renārs FrancisŠkoda Fabia RS Rally22022Mikołaj Marczyk/Szymon GospodarczykŠkoda Fabia Rally2 Evo2021Alexey Lukyanuk/Alexey ArnautovCitroën C3 Rally22020Event cancelled attributable to Covid-19 2019Alexey Lukyanuk/Alexey ArnautovCitroën C3 R52018Nikolay Gryazin/Yaroslav FedorovŠkoda Fabia R52017Thierry Neuville/Nicolas GilsoulHyundai i20 Coupe WRC2016Andreas Mikkelsen/Anders JægerVolkswagen Polo R WRC2015Sébastien Ogier/Julien IngrassiaVolkswagen Polo R WRC2014Sébastien Ogier/Julien IngrassiaVolkswagen Polo R WRC
*Occasion held from 2018-2019 and 2021-2023 as a spherical of the FIA European Rally Championship
