The Greek Rally of Gods is, as usual, full with excitement and drama. Special stages littered with stones are challenging for tyres, which are very durable but they don’t have a chance against sharp rocks. Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak maintained good pace on today’s stages and despite suffering a puncture on the final stage, they hold sixth position in their category, right among the frontrunners.
The second loop on Friday started with a stoppage and cancellation of Loutraki 2 stage, due to safety reasons. The WRC2 crews took an alternative route to the following test. The ORLEN Rally Team duo set tenth- and eight-fastest times on the next couple of stages, finishing SS6 with a puncture. After Friday’s running they hold sixth place in their category and fourth among non-factory crews. However, the gaps at the front are small, so Kajto and Maciek for sure will fight for better position tomorrow.
– The second loop of Acropolis Rally turned out to be less successful for us. Our pace was very good – however, we had some struggles. On the opening stage our intercom failed, Maciek’s voice was fading in my ears and it was hard to focus. I drove this stage for the first time but the result was not bad, considering our lack of knowledge in comparison with top rivals. Unfortunately, on the second stage we had a puncture. We had a very good feeling on this test – the longest one – and the split times looked promising. I am happy that we did not have to stop on the stage in order to change a wheel. This rally is just like this. Tomorrow we face another set of special stages – equally demanding, with plenty of mud. For sure the roads are still wet, after torrential rain which lasted for several days. It will be challenging, but we are going to fight
– Kajetan Kajetanowicz, the ORLEN Rally Team driver, commented after Friday.
For Saturday the organisers have prepared six special stages: two runs of Pavliani (24.25 kms), Karoutes (28.49 kms) and Eleftherohori (18.02 kms) tests. The crews will cover over 141 competitive kilometres – this is the longest stage of the whole rally.
Starts of Kajetan Kajetanowicz are supported by the title partner of the ORLEN Rally Team – PKN ORLEN, as well as technical partner Delphi Technologies, Pirelli, ATC CARGO S.A., ORLEN OIL – manufacturer of PLATINUM and QUAZAR Dynamic oils, and SJS S.A.
Acropolis Rally 2023, unofficial WRC2 standings after SS6:
- Rossel/Dunand (France, Citroën C3 Rally2) 58:56.7
- Greensmith/Andersson (Great Britain/Sweden, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +7.3
- Bulacia/Vallejo (Bolivia/Spain, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +7.3
- Pajari/Mälkönen (Finland, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +10.5
- Virves/Drew (Estonia/Great Britain, Ford Fiesta Rally2) +17.1
- Kajetanowicz/Szczepaniak (Poland, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +23.0
- Joona/Shemeikka (Finland, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +37.2
- Munster/Louka (Luxembourg/Belgium, Ford Fiesta Rally2) +37.9
- Marczyk/Gospodarczyk (Poland, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +1:11.1
- Formaux/Coria (France, Ford Fiesta Rally2) +1:33.2
