Previous winners, WRC teams drivers, European champion, Polish champions and top Polish and European crews – ORLEN 77^th Rally Poland entry list promises exciting battle on fast and spectacular gravel stages around town of Mikolajki. As many as 44 crews, among 102 entries in total, will compete in Rally2 cars, which are the fastest eligible machines both in national and European rallying series. FIA European Rally Championship 2021 season-opener is scheduled for the 18-20^th of June.

Rally Poland is enduringly popular among rally teams. Just like in 2019 season, 102 crews entered second oldest rally in the world, which celebrates its 100^th anniversary this year. 76 crews will fight for points in FIA ERC counter, while 46 crews are on the entry list of ProfiAuto Polish Rally Championship second round.

Top-seeded crew are Aleksey Lukyanuk and Aleksey Arnautov. Two-time European champions and the winners of previous edition of Rally Poland will blast through Masurian stages in latest evolution of Citroen C3 Rally2. Another crews with Rally Poland victory under their belts are Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Floene (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) and Nikolay Griazin/Konstantin Aleksandrov (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5). Strong pack of international drivers will face challenge of beating former Polish champions including Wojciech Chuchala (2014), Grzegorz Grzyb (2015 and 2018) and Mikolaj Marczyk (2019), who is current ERC regular in ORLEN-backed Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo.

Crews will compete over the course of 14 special stages with total length of 202 kms. Interestingly, not every special stage uses loose surface road. The only one sealed surface stage at Karowa street in Warsaw is an important novelty in Rally Poland itinerary.

- An exceptional event awaits us – 100^th anniversary of Rally Poland, which we wanted to celebrate in a unique way. That’s why we decided to go back to the roots, by locating rally finish in Warsaw, on the grounds of PGE Narodowy Stadium, which is an important place for whole sport society in Poland. But before prizes are given there, crews will tackle Rally Poland 100th anniversary stage, broadcast live on TV – said Michal Sikora, president of Polish Automobile and Motorcycle Federation during pre-event press conference, held on 8^th of June in Sport and Tourism Museum in Warsaw.

- PKN ORLEN is the biggest sponsor of sport in Poland. Rallying is a discipline bonded with our core business activity, so we have to be present during the most important motorsport event in Poland. Sport sponsorship is an important part of our business strategy as well as a way of reaching our long-term goals. Thanks to this we increase global recognition of ORLEN brand, what has an impact on our business results. Moreover, we have enhanced our presence in motorsports with ORLEN Team members competing in many more disciplines. In PKN ORLEN we raise the bar for ourselves every day, so I am glad that Rally Poland organisers keep aiming to get this event back in WRC calendar – Daniel Obajtek, Chairman of the board, PKN ORLEN expressed his views.

PKN ORLEN will be present in Mikolajki not only as a title-sponsor of Polish ERC counter, but also on special stages with ORLEN Team crews: Mikolaj Marczyk/Szymon Gospodarczyk and Kacper Wroblewski/Jakub Wróbel (both crews in Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo). – I did not miss Rally Poland since 2005. Firstly, I was in Mikolajki as a spectator, now I proudly represent ORLEN Team. We focus on Polish Rally Championship and my goal is to score as many points as possible. And my dream result? Two ORLEN Team crews with top finish in ERC and Polish Championship rounds – said Kacper Wróblewski, rally driver of ORLEN Team.

- We are both surprised and proud at the same time, seeing that many excellent crews and teams on ORLEN 77^th Rally Poland entry list. Not only the number of 102 entrants is impressive, but their experience and sporting level as well. In terms of fight for victory, the bar is set very high. All in all, we can expect thrilling battle during ORLEN 77^th Rally Poland – said Krzysztof Maciejewski, ORLEN 77^th Rally Poland Clerk of the Course.

High-speed rally battle in ORLEN 77^th Rally Poland will begin on Friday 18^th of June, with qualifying stage Talty. The results of this 3,26-kilometres long test are pretty important in Rally Poland, as the fastest drivers earn a privilege to choose optimal road position to avoid sweeping loose gravel during leg one. On Friday evening crews will compete head-to-head over the course of Mikolajki Arena test. Classic Masurian gravel stages located east of Mikolajki are scheduled for Saturday. Each of three stages (Świętajno – 18,2 km, Olecko – 17,16 km and Wieliczki – 28,7 km) will run twice. Second run of Mikolajki Arena is about to conclude leg one of ORLEN 77th Rally Poland.

Final day of FIA ERC opener will begin with two morning loops of stages, including Gmina Mrągowo (15,55 km) and Mikołajki Max (9,34 km) test. Afterwards, competitors will go to Warsaw, tackling penultimate special stage in Przasnysz (17,9 km). After reaching capital city, final stage at famous Karowa street is planned (1,96 km). Finish ceremony is scheduled for 7PM on the grounds of PGE Narodowy Stadium.

ORLEN 77th Rally Poland in numbers:

14 special stages with total length of 202,76 kms

102 crews, including 44 in Rally2 cars (known earlier as R5)

Three previous winners on entry list (Aleksey Lukyanuk, Andreas Mikkelsen and Nikolay Griazin)

It will be 16th Rally Poland outing for Grzegorz Grzyb

As many as three Polish Champions will compete in ORLEN 77th Rally Poland (Grzegorz Grzyb, Wojciech Chuchala, Mikolaj Marczyk

Rally Poland is ERC counter for the record-breaking 51^st time