(12.06.2022) Mikolaj Marczyk and Szymon Gospodarczyk (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) took their maiden FIA ERC win on home soil. Poles were the fastest in ORLEN 78th Rally Poland, round four of 2022 FIA ERC season. For the first time in nine years Rally Poland has been won by Polish crew. Tom Kristensson and Andreas Johansson (Hyundai i20 R5) finished second overall, followed by Estonian crew Ken Torn Kauri Pannas (Ford Fiesta Rally2).

Miko Marczyk claimed his first-ever FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) victory despite a late scare on Sunday afternoon. Marczyk finished third overall in last year’s ERC, but has since focused his 2022 efforts on a full campaign in the FIA World Rally Championship’s premier support category, WRC2.

The opportunity to prove himself in front of local fans, however, tempted the Pole and he relished a guest appearance on home soil with his Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo.

As predicted, Marczyk was immediately on the pace and found himself locked into a tight duel with Nil Solans - the winner of two rallies already this season. Cash-strapped Solans was lucky to even be starting the event having secured a late deal to drive a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 with days to spare.

A scintillating battle unfolded between the pair as they traded blows over Saturday’s superfast stages, with Solans leading the way before coming unstuck on SS7. The steering broke following a heavy compression and the Spaniard became a passenger as his car slid off into a ditch and out of the rally.

Solans’ demise left Marczyk comfortably in front and he carried a 20.4sec advantage into Sunday’s final leg. His task - to manage the gap - appeared to be straightforward, but soon proved otherwise.

Rough second pass conditions were a challenge for all and the leader hit trouble when his Fabia scooped up some gravel on SS12, causing the water temperature to rocket as he nursed his car to the finish in road mode.

Frantic activity ensued at the stop line as the crew removed dust from the grille and, luckily, they were able to continue despite the heart-stopping moment.

Two more nail-biting stages followed as an anxious Marczyk coaxed the Fabia through the ruts. He dropped time to a charging Tom Kristensson over the final tests, but ultimately kept the Swede at bay to record victory by 10.0sec.

"It was not easy,” admitted Marczyk. “Yesterday was a really good day from our side - we were fast and we had luck too. It's a shame that Nil did not finish the day, but it was all part of the fast pace.

"Today was tough. The start was okay, but Tom was moving closer to us. I felt good in the Mikolajki MAX stage and decided to push the car to build a gap, but one kilometre before the finish line we got some gravel in the radiator. We were lucky - a kilometre more and we would probably not have had an engine because the temperature was up to 140 degrees!

"We are here as the winners of Rally Poland. It's unbelievable and this shows me that my path of development and doing everything step by step is working. After some years, we are fast and reliable, and here we are on the finishing line."

Kristensson was thrilled to finish as runner-up in his KOWAX Racing Hyundai i20 R5. The Swede started Sunday under pressure from the chasing crews, but chalked up two stage wins during the last leg to leave them for dust.

Ken Torn completed the podium another 8.1sec in arrears. The Estonian driver banished all memories of his rocky season start by posting some hugely impressive stage times aboard his Ford Fiesta Rally2, ending the rally 16.6sec in front of Efrén Llarena, who increased his advantage and strengthened leadership position in FIA ERC standings.

The ERC season plunges into its second half with a visit to Latvia for round five next month. Rally Liepāja is set to serve up more thrilling action and takes place on 2 - 3 July.

Overall classification:

1. Marczyk/Gospodarczyk (POL/POL, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) 1:38:05,4 s

2. Kristensson/Johansson (SWE/SWE, Hyundai i20 R5) +10,0 s

3. Torn/Pannas (EST/EST, Ford Fiesta Rally2) +18,1 s

4. Llarena/Fernandez (ESP/ESP, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) +34,8 s

5. Tempestini/Itu (ROU/ROU, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) +35,9 s

6. Grzyb/Binięda (POL/POL, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) +1:48,0 s

7. Mares/Bucha (CZE/CZE, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) +1:50,4 s

8. Battistolli/Scattolin (ITA/ITA, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) +1:53,3 s

9. Pardo Siota/Perez Fernandez (ESP/ESP, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) +2:38,4 s

10. Herczig/Bacigal (HUN/SVK, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) +2:51,4 s

Championship standings (after round 4 of 8):

1. Llarena/Fernandez 89 pts

2. Solans/Marti 65 pts

3. Tempestini/Itu 56 pts

4. Araujo/Ramalho 45 pts

5. Pardo Siota/Perez Fernandez 44 pts