Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak have completed two days of tight battle on special stages of Rally Italia Sardegna. The ORLEN Rally Team crew hold second position in the WRC2 Challenger standings ahead of the final leg.
Relentless heat, accompanying the competitors throughout the whole event in Sardegna, and destroyed roads presented huge challenge for crews and their cars. On Saturday afternoon the same set of three special stages, driven already in the morning, had to be completed one more time – with a solid amount of 61 kilometres of battle against the clock.
Kajetanowicz and Szczepaniak fulfilled their plan, setting stage times among leading WRC2 Challenger crews and finishing two stages with top three results. The Polish crew not only successfully defended their second position in their category, held since the morning loop, but also closed the gap to the leaders, Finnish duo of Lauri Joona and Samu Valeri. On top of that they remain in top three of the overall WRC2 classification.
– Second leg of Rally Italia Sardegna is behind us, now it’s time for Sunday – equally difficult or even tougher. We are facing two stages, new for everyone, and each of them has a bit different characteristics. Today we are happy, holding second position in the Challenger category, among over 30 crews which entered this rally. I am feeling better in the car but we are still working on making it „my” car – on better feeling with every kilometre. We chose one of the toughest rallies – but it is the best way to test and check the car. For example we won’t be able to check the brakes on a short stage – you need one of these 30-kms tests. Sometimes you have to pay your dues, sometimes everything goes according to the plan. We are pleased, there is a smile on my face – although I have to admit that before the last stage I was already thinking about entering the service park. It was extremely hot, with almost 70 degrees inside the car – so sometimes my driving pleasure is gone. However, I know that I will miss it in two days’ time
– Kajetan Kajetanowicz said at the end of Saturday’s leg.
Sunday, the final day of round six of the 2025 season, consists of two stages: San Giacomo-Plebi (25.19 kms) and Porto San Paolo (13,70 kms). Two runs of both stages add up to almost 78 competitive kilometres.
Starts of Kajetan Kajetanowicz are supported by the title partner of the ORLEN Rally Team – ORLEN S.A., as well as technical partner Delphi and ORLEN OIL.
Rally Italia Sardegna, unofficial WRC2 Challenger classification after SS12:
- Joona/Vaaleri (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) 2:40:27.0
- Kajetanowicz/Szczepaniak (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +16.2
- Prokop/Ernst (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +1:11.0
- Daprà/Guglielmetti (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +1:32.7
- Virves/Viilo (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +1:50.3
- Solans/Sanjuan (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +2:03.8
- Jürgenson/Oja (Ford Fiesta Rally2) +2:15.9
- Sarrazin/Roche (Citroën C3 Rally2) +3:44.2
- B. Bulacia/Morales (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +4:59.0
- Trentin/Ometto (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +5:40.4
