The 82nd Rally Poland was a thrilling competition until the final metres. Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak claimed fifth position, pleasing crowds of motorsport fans with their driving.
One of the oldest rallies in the world – second only to the famous Rallye Monte Carlo – has undergone a significant transformation. After two decades of competition on gravel roads of the Masurian region, Rally Poland moved this year to tarmac stages in Silesia, writing another chapter in over one hundred years’ history of the most prestigious event in Polish motorsport. Its position in on the international scene was maintained and the FIA European Rally Championship competitors continue to fight for points in Poland.
Kajetanowicz and Szczepaniak have finally appeared in front of their home crowd, in their only second outing this season. They kicked off their limited campaign in April, with Rally Croatia in the World Rally Championship. Low mileage at a fully competitive pace took its toll at the beginning of the Polish classic. However, a good feeling in the car and correct set-up decisions allowed the ORLEN Rally Team crew to improve their pace step by step and to join the fight for top positions. The 2023 WRC2 Challenger champions performed particularly well during Sunday’s leg, recording top-three stage times.
The final two sections included the stages Silesian Voivodeship (11.90 kms), Kiczyce (12.1 kms), Hażlach (16.85 kms), and – in the Power Stage format – another run of Hażlach (16.85 kms). Kajetan and Maciek set fifth-fastest times twice, added another top-three result and finished the rally with eight-quickest time on the final test. Ultimately, they finished the 82nd Rally Poland in fifth place overall.
We have finished the 82nd Rally Poland. Tired, but I could have complete a few more special stages because I felt so well behind the steering wheel. Unfortunately, that good feeling, which lasted throughout almost entire Sunday, appeared in the second part of Saturday’s leg – only then did we find the proper set-up. Thanks to the engineers who helped me, to the mechanics and to all fans who supported me so much – and of course to the whole ORLEN Rally Team and to my partners. It was a great weekend and I am glad we competed in the European Rally Championship
– concluded Kajetan Kajetanowicz, the only driver in history to win the FIA ERC three times in a row.
Starts of Kajetan Kajetanowicz are supported by title partner of the ORLEN Rally Team – ORLEN S.A., as well as technical partner Delphi and ORLEN OIL.
Rally Poland 2026 – unofficial results:
- Suninen/Haapala (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) 1:38:52.8
- Matulka/Dymurski (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +9.7 s
- Marczyk/Gospodarczyk (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +13.5 s
- Mabellini/Lenzi (Lancia Ypsilon Rally2) +16.1 s
- Kajetanowicz/Szczepaniak (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) +41.5 s
- Bulacia/Murado (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +51.4 s
- Rzeźnik/Kozdroń (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +1:07.1 s
- Szeja/Szeja (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +1:16.2
- Creighton/Regan (Citroën C3 Rally2) +1:25.5
- Cais/Bacigál (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) +1:25.5
