(03/06/2025): 74 crews will take part in ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland. Drivers and co-drivers from 20 countries will compete for victory in the fourth round of the FIA European Rally Championship (FIA ERC) and the third round of the Polish Rally Championship (RSMP). 64 crews are eligible to score points towards FIA ERC standings, including 21 from Poland. An impressive number of 31 teams announced to field Rally2 cars – the fastest and the most advanced machinery allowed both in European and Polish championships.
The list of entries has been announced during the press conference in Warsaw. Moreover, rally organisers also shared the status of preparations for the event and revealed details of the route. They also announced that the rally had been awarded two stars by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in the prestigious Environmental Accreditation Programme. Representatives of the rally’s partners and sponsors also attended the conference, providing invaluable support to the organisers in staging the biggest motorsport event in Poland.
Arkadiusz Trela, President of ORLEN OIL said: ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland is a unique event, during which we observe something more than just sports competition – it is a space where precision, determination, passion and the highest quality play a key role. We feel distinguished by supporting such a special event in the motorsport calendar. For ORLEN OIL, involvement in ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland is not only part of the strategy, but above all passion and striving for excellence. We combine these elements with competitors who aim for the best result in the competition, and we in the best quality products for the automotive industry.
On behalf of the rally organizer, Michał Sikora, president of the Polish Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, thanked the title sponsor of the event, saying: I hope that we will be mutually satisfied with the cooperation. This is the largest motorsport event in our country and very important for the PZM. It is a great challenge from every aspect of the organisational standards. However, we have proven many times that we are able to keep the highest level of our activities. I have a small dream that Miko, who is sitting here with us, will return to the ERC leader’s chair. I hope that the Masurian stages and crowds of fans will help, we keep our fingers crossed for that. Friday the 13th will not be unlucky day anymore, we will break the stereotype.
A strong field of competitors will compete on the fast, spectacular gravel roads of Warmia and Masuria, including the top five crews in series’ standings: Roope Korhonen/Anssi Viinikka (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, 60 pts), Mikołaj Marczyk/Szymon Gospodarczyk (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, 57 pts), Mads Ostberg/Torstein Eriksen (Citroën C3 Rally2, 48 pts), Andrea Mabellini/Virginia Lenzi (47 pts) and Isak Reiersen/Stefan Gustavsson (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, 40 pts). Marczyk has Rally Poland victory under his belt. 29-year-old two-time Polish champion, backed by ORLEN, took his maiden win in Mikolajki back in 2022 season.
The top ten of the entry list also include Martins Sesks (2023 Rally Poland winner) and Mille Johansson (both Škoda Fabia R5), Jon Armstrong (Ford Fiesta MKII) and Stéphane Lefebvre (Toyota Yaris Rally2). Jos Verstappen, father of four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, is set to make a sensational outing in Masuria. The Dutchman is a former Formula 1 driver who competed in 107 Grand Prix races, with two podium finishes. Max McRae, the 20-year-old nephew of the famous Colin McRae, will once again tackle the Masurian gravel stages, this time behind the wheel of 4WD car (Citroën C3 Rally2).
ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland is also the part of Polish Rally Championship. This means that series frontrunners will not miss high-speed battle around Mikolajki. It is Jakub Matulka who is about to defend his lead in championship standings (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, 68 pts, co-driver: Damian Syty). Jaroslaw and Marcin Szeja brothers (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) reigning Polish champions, hold second position, 15 points behind Matulka. Third placed Grzegorz Grzyb and Adam Binieda managed to score 50 points in first two rounds of the season.
– We have a very good entry list this year, but also a good turnout. 64 crews have signed up for the ERC, including the entire top of the European Championship standings and two winners of Rally Poland among them. The event is also a round of Polish Championship and considering that 10 crews more registered only for national championship we have a total of 74 entries. I hope that everyone will reach the finish of the rally in the picturesque main square of Mikołajki. Top crews will also be honoured at the Power Stage finish in the amphitheatre on shore of the Lake Czos in Mrągowo, famous for country music festivals – informed Krzysztof Maciejewski, CoC of the rally
– We already know how the victory in the Rally Poland tastes. Together with Szymon Gospodarczyk, my co-driver, we want to show our rivals that it won’t be easy for them here. I love the Masurian fast and flowing gravel roads. The stages are simply amazing, with their very long straights separated by single corners and jumps. These stages – and this is not just my opinion – are simply made for rallies. I trust on showing good sports form with a 110 percent drive from my side. A bit of luck will also be needed. This weekend, the nuances, the form of the day, small details will count and hopefully it will bring the final success. Today, while driving to the press conference, co-driver seat in my car was taken by Maciej Wisławski. I take this as a good sign – said Miko Marczyk, the winner of the Polish classic in the 2022.
Maciej ‘Wiślak’ Wisławski, a legendary co-driver and special stages veteran, will also be at the start line. The 1997 European Champion, as well as two-time Polish Champion and two-time winner of the Polish round of the ERC, will celebrate his record-breaking 30th outing in the Rally Poland.