The crews competing in Croatia Rally have completed another set of demanding special stages. Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak, the only Polish crew in the field, hold eighth place in the WRC2 Challenger classification.
Day two of Croatia Rally directed the crews east from the rally base at the Automotodrom Grobnik race circuit. The schedule consisted of eight special stages, some of them already known from previous editions of this event. The opening loop included Platak (16.26 kms), Ravna Gora-Skrad (10.13 kms), Generalski Stol-Zdihovo (22.48 kms) and Pećurkovo Brdo-Mrežnički Novaki (9.11 kms) tests. Four stages with varied characteristics included both fast and wide parts, as well as twisty and narrow sections. Huge amount of dirt, pulled out of cuts onto optimum driving line, was the common denominator – just as it was yesterday.
Kajetanowicz and Szczepaniak started the day with a cautious approach on SS9. They completed the next stage with significantly better pace and in tight WRC2 Challenger field closed the gap to the top. However, bad luck struck them on SS11. A damaged tire contributed to a time loss, dropping them to ninth place in their category. A very good fifth-fastest result on the final stage of the loop allowed them to regain eighth place among the WRC2 Challenger crews.
We are halfway through the day, you could say halfway through the entire Croatia Rally. I can see from the cars that some of them are quite “overused”. I am happy that we are improving our pace, but we were also involved in the “festival of punctures”. This was the third one. These stages are very tough for the tyres because it is basically a gravel rally. However, other competitors are having similar issues. Now we are testing different car settings and I am getting better at adjusting them to each special stage. The stages have different characteristics and this is an additional difficulty. This is my first time driving this car on tarmac, moreover after a year and a half away from this surface, so I have a lot to do – but step by step. For sure we are enjoying what we are doing
– said Kajetan Kajetanowicz, the 2023 WRC2 Challenger champion.
The cars did not return to the service park mid-day. The crews received just a very limited assistance from mechanics in a remote tyre change zone. Afterwards they start to return to the Adriatic coast, completing the same four stages, but in a reverse order.
Starts of Kajetan Kajetanowicz are supported by title partner of the ORLEN Rally Team – ORLEN S.A., as well as by technical partner Delphi, ORLEN OIL and Hankook.
Croatia Rally 2026 – unofficial WRC2 Challenger standings after SS12:
- Griazin/Aleksandrov (Lancia Ypsilon Rally2) 1:50:53.9
- L.Rossel/Mercoiret (Citroën C3 Rally2) +32.0
- Korhonen/Viinikka (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +45.7
- Cachón/Rozada (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +51.8
- Pelamourgues/Pouget (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) +1:07.7
- Daprà/Guglielmetti (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) 1:58.0
- Gill/Brkic (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +3:48.8
- Kajetanowicz/Szczepaniak (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +3:53.1
- Jürgenson/Oja (Ford Fiesta Rally2) + 4:18.7
- Sarazzin/Roche (Citroën C3 Rally2) +4:46.5
