(12.06.2025) – ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland (13–15 June) marks round four of the 2025 FIA European Rally Championship and round three of the Polish Rally Championship (RSMP). For RSMP contenders, it also presents the only opportunity this year to compete on gravel. A total of 73 crews are set to take the start, including 63 registered for the European series and 30 contesting the national championship – with some entries competing in both classifications.
After a one-year break, Rally Poland returns to the FIA ERC calendar as the final gravel round of the season. The second half of the year will unfold entirely on asphalt stages.
This year’s ERC campaign began in early April on the twisty tarmac roads around Córdoba, Spain. That event saw Nikolay Gryazin and Konstantin Aleksandrov (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) taking the win. Gryazin is no stranger to Polish fans – in 2018, he became the youngest winner in Rally Poland history, triumphing in Mikołajki at just under 21 years of age.
From the smooth Spanish tarmac, the championship moved to Hungary’s rough gravel stages near Veszprém, where Rally Hungary (9–11 May) was won by FIA ERC debutants Roope Korhonen and Anssi Viinikka (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2).
Then came the high-speed Royal Scandinavian Rally (29–31 May) based in Karlstad, Sweden. Norwegian duo Eyvind Brynildsen and Jørn Listerud (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) took top honours, while Korhonen arrives in Mikołajki as ERC points leader – just three points clear of Poland’s Mikołaj Marczyk.
What, Where and When?
The action begins on Friday, 13 June with free practice on the Baranowo stage (6.3 km, from 10:30), followed by the qualifying stage at 13:01 on the same section. The results of qualifying determine the starting order for Saturday’s gravel leg – a crucial strategic element, as running further back can offer improved grip on loose surfaces.
The competitive section of the rally kicks off Friday evening with the Mikołajki Arena superspecial (2.5 km, from 19:00) – a fan-favourite head-to-head show on a purpose-built stage.
Saturday, 14 June features three stages run twice: Świętajno (16.3 km), Olecko (20 km), and Stare Juchy (13.6 km). The latter returns to the Rally Poland itinerary for the first time since 2019. The day concludes with another Arena superspecial under the lights in Mikołajki.
Sunday’s final leg (15 June) includes six more stages – again three repeated: Mikołajki (7.6 km), Pozezdrze (20 km), and Gmina Mrągowo (15.2 km). The second pass of Gmina Mrągowo will run as the Power Stage, awarding bonus points in both the ERC and RSMP standings to the five fastest crews.
The rally wraps up with the official podium ceremony in Mikołajki’s Market Square at 17:30.
A Packed Entry and Fierce Competition
Out of 73 entries, 63 crews will compete for FIA ERC points, with 30 contesting the RSMP round. Many competitors will be classified in both.
Fans can look forward to a strong field of 32 Rally2-spec cars – the top category eligible for both the ERC and RSMP.
Leading the field are points leaders Roope Korhonen and Anssi Viinikka (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2), followed by two former Rally Poland winners: Martins Sesks/Renars Francis (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 – winners in 2023) and Mikołaj Marczyk/Szymon Gospodarczyk (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 – 2022 winners).
The top five seeds are completed by experienced Norwegian Mads Østberg (Citroën C3 Rally2, with co-driver Lucas Karlsson) and Andrea Mabellini/Virginia Lenzi (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) – the latter coming off their first ERC win, achieved last year on Polish soil during Rally Silesia.
Among the leading RSMP contenders are national championship leaders Jakub Matulka/Damian Syty, reigning champions Jarek and Marcin Szeja, and three-time Polish champion Grzegorz Grzyb alongside Adam Binięda (all three crews using Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)
A notable addition to this year’s entry list is Jos Verstappen (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) – father of F1 world champion Max Verstappen. The Dutchman will be co-driven by Belgian Renaud Jamoul.
Not Just Rally2
Thirteen crews, including eight from Poland, will compete in the ERC3 category for Rally3 cars – lighter, less powerful four-wheel-drive machines that bridge the gap between Rally2 and Rally4 cars. Rising stars like Tymoteusz Abramowski and Adrian Rzeźnik, both 18, will drive Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars. Abramowski, co-driven by Jakub Wróbel, enters the event buoyed by his ERC3 win in the previous round.
The rally also counts towards the ERC Junior series – with 17 crews set to fight for points in the youth-focused category.
Wiślak Keeps the Record Rolling
For some, ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland represents a pivotal round in the battle for championship points. For others, it’s a chance to write history. Rally legend Maciej “Wiślak” Wisławski will start the event for a record 30th time. The 1997 European champion made his debut in Polish classic in 1974, co-driving a Wartburg 353 alongside Henryk Podsiedlik.
FIA ERC standings (after 3 rounds):
1. Korhonen/Viinikka – 60 pts
2. Marczyk/Gospodarczyk– 57 pts
3. Østberg/Karlsson – 48 pts
4. Mabellini/Lenzi – 47 pts
5. Reiersen/Gustavsson – 40 pts
RSMP standings (after 2 rounds):
1. Matulka/Syty – 68 pts
2. Szeja/Szeja – 53 pts
3. Grzyb/Binięda – 50 pts
4. Brzeziński/Gerber – 38 pts
5. Kołtun/Pleskot – 23 pts
A maximum of 35 points is on offer in Mikołajki this weekend – in both the ERC and national championship.