(27/04/2024) Noblesse oblige – nobility obligates – says the famous French maxim, which is followed by the organizers of the jubilee ORLEN 80th Rally Poland. The second oldest rally in the world has just revealed the most important secrets of this year’s edition, the seventh round of the WRC. Event’s itinerary offers a great mix of new gravel roads and Masurian classics, acknowledged both by the competitors and the fans.
As many as 304 competitive kilometres and 19 special stages are ready to host world’s best rally crews during the last weekend of June when Polish WRC counter will be held. It is going to be a fresh start for the competitors, because Swietajno is the only test with the same route as in 2023.
Picturesque City of Mikolajki will be the event’s HQ for the 19th consecutive time. Thursday’s afternoon (27th of June) is the time for ORLEN 80th Rally Poland opening ceremony, located as usual in the city centre, nearby the recently upgraded marina. The moment for autograph chasers has been scheduled just before ceremonial start.
Mikolajki Arena – the venue of the first stage with the grandstand for 5 000 fans – is the place where battle will begin with spectacular, head-to-head duels. Who will take the challenge to beat the stage record time, set by Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia back in 2015? Volkswagen crew covered the 2,5-kilometre long, concrete-gravel route in 1:43.9 s. Polish record holders are Robert Kubica and Maciej Szczepaniak (Ford Fiesta RS WRC), who clocked 1:44.4 s in 2015 too.
The Friday’s leg (28th of June) is about to begin with stronger-than-espresso, but more than spectacular, 30-kilometre long Stanczyki stage. The test start is located nearby two, famous large viaducts (now defunct) of the Goldap-Zytkiejmy railway, which were built back in 1917. The different versions of Stanczyki stage were a part of event’s itinerary in 2015 and 2016 season. Its route runs through moraine hills and comprises seven spectator zones, including one next to thrilling jump.
Next in store are no less famous Wieliczki (12,9 km) and Olecko (13,2 km) but deeply changed stages. The latter one includes loved by spectators Rosochackie jump. However this time it is run in opposite direction. Mentioned stages will run again during afternoon loop. Day is about to be concluded with Mikolajki Arena superspecial and “meet the crews” session in the service park with top-three placed duos. The total length of special stages scheduled for Friday is 113,5 km.
Saturday’s leg is the richest in competitive kilometres. Swietajno (18,5 km), Goldap (19,9 km) and Czarne (22,4 km) stages, all run twice, provide as many as 121,6 kms of high-speed gravel battle. Moreover, the first section of the day ends with another visit at Mikolajki Arena, scheduled to enjoy spectators staying around the rally HQ. In the evening top-three crews of the rally will have a chance to share their thoughts during usual “meet the crews”.
The ORLEN 80th Rally Poland will come to an end on Sunday, 30th of June, after covering four final stages of total length of 64 kms. Event-closing Mikolajki 2 Wolf Power Stage has it’s finish at the Mikolajki Arena track, where both Rally Fan Park and finish ceremony are located.
Tickets are already on sale. Just like in previous years, spectator zones will be prepared by Top Racing – commercial partner of 80th ORLEN Rally Poland. Rally passes are available at TopGIFT.pl.