(19.05.2023) Rally crews have already covered the route of ORLEN 79th Rally Poland during the reconnaissance. What are their thoughts about the stages of the Polish ERC Counter?
Hayden Paddon (Hyundai i20 N Rally2, no. 1): – It’s nice to be back in Poland. We have good memories from this event, as we produced some good results here. I love this rally and I can’t wait to begin the battle. For sure it is going to be a very challenging event. I guess the stages are a bit softer than during my previous outings in Rally Poland, so I expect it is going to be rough during second pass. No matter what conditions there are I will enjoy driving and try to get a good result.
Mads Ostberg (Citroen C3 Rally2, no 3): – Couple of years have passed since my last outing in Rally Poland, so it is good to be back. I think we have pretty good conditions on the stages. However, it is going to be a different story after first pass. There are some fast sections in open area, as usual, and a few narrow parts in the forests, which I find to be quite challenging. That’s the part of this rally and we know it. The entry list is full of fast drivers, so it is clear we are going to have a fierce battle for top places.
Simone Tempestini (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, no 12): – Masurian stages are as fast as beautiful. I am well prepared, the feeling behind the wheel is good too. I think that road position will be very important here, but the result depends also on this how hard certain driver want to push.
Grzegorz Grzyb (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, no 11): – The stages are in good condition, but they are rather soft. On the other hand, there are some sections where surface has been improved. Nevertheless, I expect stages to be rutted after first pass. All in all, I like the route and I regret that I did not do many kilometers on gravel before this event.
Sylwester Płachytka (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, no 17): – Stages are spectacular and the weather is fine as well. The roads are not very dry, so we shall avoid the dust. We need to stay focused, because most of the distance we will do in 4th and 5th gear.
Maciej Szczepaniak (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, no 0 – course car): – As usual, the route of Rally Poland is extremely demanding, fast and picturesque. I did my very first rally in this region back in 1998, so I remember some sections of Barczewo stage, which now is a part of Rally Poland. This is a nice stage with some jumps before the finish. We used to call it “little Finland” and I am glad to do this stage again. Meanwhile the stage near Biskupiec is quite complicated, which makes the challenge even more fascinating.