Two of Polish motorsport’s biggest names will go head-to-head when the FIA European Rally Championship visits the 82nd Rally Poland this weekend (24-26 July).
The event has undergone a significant transformation for 2025, switching from gravel to asphalt and relocating from Mikołajki — its home since 2005 — to Katowice. The change of scenery sets the stage for a battle of the generations as Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Miko Marczyk lock horns in the ERC for the first time.
Defending European champion Marczyk, 17 years younger than his illustrious compatriot, made his ERC debut in 2018, one year after Kajetanowicz completed his stint at European level by claiming a record-breaking third consecutive title. After a mixed start to his title defence aboard his ORLEN Team Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, the 30-year-old is running on Michelin rubber and has ground to make up as he bids for national bragging rights.
“Starting in such a prestigious event on my home turf is a source of immense satisfaction for me,” said Marczyk, who won Rally Poland in 2023. “I can’t wait for this competition. The excitement will be even greater because, as Polish rallying, we are fielding our absolute strongest possible line-up. It promises to deliver incredible emotions and a fight at the highest level.”
Kajetanowicz, 47, makes his eagerly anticipated comeback in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. A three-time winner of Rally Poland, the veteran is relishing the return to his home region.
“Rally Poland is undoubtedly the most important and prestigious motorsport event in our country,” he said. “I am incredibly happy to stand at the start once again, and this year’s edition is truly symbolic for me, as the rally visits my home [Silesian] region. European championship status and the presence of an absolutely top-tier field, both domestic and international, guarantee a split-second battle from the first to the very last metre.”
While an ERC title challenge remains a future target, Jakub Matulka starts his home round as the defending Polish champion and a driver very much worth watching on his local roads.
“This round is an incredibly important point on my calendar,” Matulka said. “It’s my home rally and that is incredibly exciting and motivating. The competition promises to be thrilling. We already know that an outstanding line-up of drivers from Poland and abroad will be at the start. Facing the fastest competitors on our Silesian stages will be a massive challenge. In the European championship, it’s always the local drivers who have that extra edge — and this time, we are the ones at home. I can’t wait for the start.”
Pirelli-supplied ERC points leader Teemu Suninen heads the entry following his maiden European championship podium at Rally di Roma Capitale earlier this month. As well as the threat posed by Kajetanowicz, Marczyk, and Matulka, the Finnish driver will face a long list of rivals if he is to land his maiden ERC victory in Katowice on Sunday evening.
The entry also features Lancia-powered Andrea Mabellini, MRF-shod Erik Cais and Simone Tempestini, Hankook-supplied Isak Reiersen, British champion William Creighton, Czech championship leader Dominik Stříteský, rising Polish star Adrian Rzeżnik, and Jarosław Szeja, who leads the Polish standings after three rounds.
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