Rally Poland – Sesks and the title contenders face the challenge of high speed

Registered in WRC last year for the 80^e edition, the rally from Poland returns in ERC which he has belonged to since 2018. Those familiar with this trip will not be surprised. The event is still based in Mikolajki, a charming little town 250 km north of Warsaw. In this region of the Masurian lakes, the roads are generally very fast on soft ground that digs enormously. This 4^e The first leg of the calendar is set up around the gigantic Golebiewski Hotel, which houses the PC, the press room, but also the service park in its parking lots outside and even the superspecial since the establishment has its own circuit...

A look at the proposed program reveals that classics like Pozezdrze and Gmina Mragowo are still on the itinerary. The latter consists of 14 stages representing 190,40 km of timed stages. The main characteristic of these roads is their speed. In 2023, during the last ERC event, Martins Sesks imposed his Skoda Fabia RS at an average speed of 115 km/h, which was faster than the 113 km/h of Sami Pajari, the WRC2 winner 12 months ago. It is certain that a sprint is to be expected again during the weekend. Faced with this challenge, who will be able to be the most enterprising?

The list of contenders includes several names, but two must be highlighted. The last winner of this event in the ERC, Martins Sesks, is making his return. The Latvian, who suffered a violent crash in Sardinia with the Ford Puma, is returning to a terrain he loves. However, he will have to get used to the Fabia Rally2 again, but also to the MRF tires. The transition from one category to another is not always so simple, particularly because of the role of aerodynamics, which is important in Rally1, but secondary in Rally2. The dashing Baltic will face Mikolaj Marczyk (Fabia). Winner on home soil in 2022, will the Pole be aiming for a 2^e success or will he prefer to concentrate on the championship where he occupies the 2nd position?^e place 3 points behind the leader Roope Korhonen (Yaris)? The latter is also one of the players to watch even if he only has one participation on this ground in 2024.

Two French crews in Poland

In terms of experience, no one should be at the level of Mads Ostberg (C3) who could come and beat all his little comrades if he finally manages to get through the troubles and punctures. Also wanting the title, Andrea Mabellini (Fabia) has three appearances on these stages, but the Italian remains on two retirements in Poland. Will he try to reach the top step of the podium or will he be content to aim for big points to improve his position (4^e 13 points behind Korhonen) in the championship before the asphalt rounds? Surprises are always possible with the Swedes Isak Reisersen (Fabia) and Mille Johansson (Fabia), the Englishman Jon Armstrong (Fiesta) or locals who know the terrain perfectly.

On the French side, Stéphane Lefebvre will be the sole representative in Rally2 with Andy Malfoy at his side. The Northerner has come to the region several times for the WRC (5^e in 2017). However, it remains to be seen whether he will manage to find the confidence and feeling that were absent in Sweden with his Toyota Yaris. Stéphane hopes that his experience on these roads will allow him to enjoy himself and thus join the fight with the fastest. In ERC3, Tristan Charpentier (Fiesta Rally3) and Florian Barral will once again have their work cut out for them with the various Polish crews, who will be pumped up in front of their home crowds. The leader of the competition before the weekend, the northerner is aware that this round will not be easy to negotiate.