The 2023 WRC2 Challenger champion begins the new season. Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak will compete in full WRC2 campaign – maximum amount of seven selected World Rally Championship rounds, starting with Safari Rally. They will tackle the African special stages in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally, prepared by well-proven Spanish company RaceSeven. Kajetanowicz, who likes to surprise his fans with great ideas, has also presented a striking livery for the 2024 season.
The ORLEN Rally Team crew have recorded five consecutive top-three positions in the WRC2 standings for the past five seasons, claiming the 2023 World Rally Championship title in the WRC2 Challenger category. Kajetanowicz has added this success to his impressive tally, consisting of three European Rally Championship titles and four national laurels in Poland. Having won the championship title among non-factory crews, Kajto confirmed his position as the most successful Polish rally driver. Now it’s time for a fresh challenge, following an excellent season with six WRC2 Challenger podiums in seven outings for Kajetanowicz and Szczepaniak. The Polish crew get ready for one of the most difficult rallies in the world.
The African encounter is the third round of this year’s World Rally Championship. After iconic Rallye Monte Carlo and snowy Rally Sweden, the WRC field moves outside Europe, to contest the legendary Safari Rally. The rest of the 2024 calendar consists of seven events, including three tarmac rallies – Croatia Rally, Rally Japan and Central European Rally, which joined the championship last year. Its unique schedule, with special stages in three different countries, drew plenty of attention of the Polish fans, also due to geographical proximity. This year they will be able to follow rally action live in their country – the 80th ORLEN Rally Poland takes place in the Masurian Lake District. The most important event in Poland, second-oldest rally in the world, preceded only by Rallye Monte Carlo, is a fantastic treat for all motorsport fans. Kajetanowicz, who won this event three times – for the last time in 2013, on his way to fourth national title in Poland – is certainly interested in taking part in the anniversary edition. However, at the moment Kajetanowicz has only confirmed his start in one of the overseas World Rally Championship rounds – Safari Rally.
– We start our season with Safari Rally, having won this event in the past two years. However, I return to Africa with humble attitude – this is not a stroll in a park but an extremely unpredictable rally. I am planning to contest seven rounds in total. Last year we had the same amount of chances, using them in a great way, winning the WRC2 Challenger title. Although I assured everyone that this success would not change me, the truth is that I feel that my motivation is two times stronger than before. I have never trained so hard because I know that without hard work it would not be possible to build another bridge between dreams and reality. My partners help me to maintain a very high level, supporting my starts this season: title partner ORLEN S.A., technical partner Delphi, Pirelli, ORLEN Oil, ATC CARGO S.A. and SJS S.A. I appreciate the longevity and stability of my cooperation with partners, based on mutual understanding of needs and challenges in the motosport world. Trust is very important in any business – and it’s crucial in rallying. I also know that huge power of my team comes from hearts of people who work with us. Together we start a new season in the World Rally Championship. I see this challenge as a possibility of further growth. I hope you will “drive” with us
– says Kajetan Kajetanowicz.
The ORLEN Rally Team have presented new livery for 2024. Kajetanowicz has chosen an unconventional minimalism again – last year his design really stood out among his international rivals. The Polish crew aboard their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 in new livery will tackle the African stages on 28-31 March, facing 355.92 competitive kilometres. Kajetanowicz and Szczepaniak won this event twice in two previous seasons, enjoying a crushing advantage over their competitors. The fans will hold their breath, watching the third start of the ORLEN Rally Team crew in one of the most difficult rallies in the world.
Starts of Kajetan Kajetanowicz are supported by the title partner of the ORLEN Rally Team – ORLEN S.A., as well as technical partner Delphi, Pirelli, ORLEN OIL, ATC CARGO S.A. and SJS S.A.
