The ORLEN Rally Team crew have started Friday’s leg of Acropolis Rally in style. Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak set good stage times on two tests, moving up into top three of the WRC2 standings and taking the lead in the WRC2 Challenger category, for non-factory crews!
The opening loop on Friday consisted of two special stages: Loutraki 1 (shortened to 10.37 kms) and Pissia (16.43 kms). Kajetanowicz and Szczepaniak set sixth- and third-fastest times in the WRC2 category. Erstwhile rally leaders, Mikkelsen and Eriksen, punctured their tyres on both stages, dropping outside top ten. The Polish crew trail new leaders, Fourmaux and Coria, by 12.8 seconds.
– It’s been a very good beginning of the rally for us. After three special stages we are the quickest crew among non-factory teams. Maybe we drive too fast at places because this rally can throw lots of surprises. The roads have changed a lot after the recce. Plenty of water flooded the stages, there are plenty of stones and deep ruts. This is not the same road which I described in my pace notes and recorded in my memory. It’s necessary to change plans quickly, even in the middle of a corner. I have to keep my eyes open even wider than before. So far I am happy, enjoying my driving – although it’s very demanding for the car, not only for us. Now it’s time for another special stages. We are going to maintain good pace because you need to drive fast if you want to compete against the best drivers in the world
– Kajetan Kajetanowicz, triple European Rally Champion, commented after the opening loop on Friday.
The second loop consists of three special stages: second pass of Loutraki (10.37 kms), followed by Livadia (21.03 kms) and Elatia (28.32 kms) tests. The first service break will take place in the evening.
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., PLATINUM ORLEN OIL brand, QUAZAR LOTOS OIL brand and SJS S.A.
Acropolis Rally 2023, unofficial WRC2 standings after SS3:
- Fourmaux/Coria (France, Ford Fiesta Rally2) 19:34.5
- Rossel/Dunand (France, Citroën C3 Rally2) +8.6
- Kajetanowicz/Szczepaniak (Poland, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +12.8
- Greensmith/Andersson (Great Britain/Szwecja, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +14.4
- Pajari/Mälkönen (Finland, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +16.3
- Bulacia/Vallejo (Bolivia/Spain, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +18.4
- Tsouloftas/Ellia (Greece/Cyprus, Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) +21.1
- Virves/Drew (Estonia/Great Britain, Ford Fiesta Rally2) +23.7
- Joona/Shemeikka (Finland, Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +32.1
- Gill/Barral (India/France, Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo) +40.1
