75th Rally Poland

[Tinke1979]

Hello! Does anyone knows the route yet? We are coming to spectate the event, but we arrive to Poland on friday, so maybe not so much time to do own recce.. Any hints and tips are welcome! :)

[Jarek Z]

Hello! Does anyone knows the route yet? We are coming to spectate the event, but we arrive to Poland on friday, so maybe not so much time to do own recce.. Any hints and tips are welcome! :)

How good is your Polish? ;)

Some news about the route in English:
http://www.rajdpolski.pl/en/2018/15-stages-75th-rally-poland

Some news about the route in Polish:
http://rajdy.autoklub.pl/news/15-odcinkow-specjalnych-75-rajdu-polski,86578

Timetable:
http://www.rajdpolski.pl/pliki/zawodnicy/2018/75th_rally_poland_-_itinerary_v1.pdf

Official website:
http://www.rajdpolski.pl

[Jarek Z]

First expected entries:

Chris Ingram - "In a month we are going to compete in the Rally Poland. I have never been there, but those gravel stages look awesome. I can't wait!"
Jurij Protasov

[Tinke1979]

How good is your Polish? ;)

[/url]


My Polish is limited to word kurwa! :D So not so good :D But thanks for the info! Those stage names should help a little to find those regions with google maps! :) Of course we are going to get maps etc. but it always helps a little if you know something before you make your trip!

[Jarek Z]

My Polish is limited to word kurwa! :D

I'm afraid that's not enough ;)

I hope the stage names will give you some idea about the route. There are not that many roads in this region.
Don't worry about those strange names that are hard to remember. They are strange even for someone from Poland :)

[Jarek Z]

At the finish line of Barum Rally Nikolai Gryazin said that he is coming to Poland.

[Jarek Z]

Bruno Magalhães: "I think Poland is almost impossible, but I'll try."

[Mirek]

Filip Mareš will start. It will be his first gravel event in R5 car.

[Jarek Z]

Lukasz Pieniazek (ŠKODA Fabia R5) confirmed:
https://www.fiaerc.com/pole-pieniazek-signs-up-for-home-erc-run/

[Jarek Z]

Miko Marczyk (Skoda Fabia R5), Tomasz Kasperczyk (Ford Fiesta R5) and Jaroslaw Koltun (Ford Fiesta R5) should be present, too.

Entry list approved by the FIA will be published on Wednesday, 12 September 2018.

[RS]

Bruno Magalhães: "I think Poland is almost impossible, but I'll try."

To start or to win?

[RS]

Filip Mareš will start. It will be his first gravel event in R5 car.

Great, clearly the career progression should be Czech Championship plus JERC U28 next year :)

[Rally Power]

To start or to win?

Sadly Magalhães already admitted that this year budget has run out and it’ll be almost impossible to finish the season. Maybe a last minute deal can still happen. Fingers crossed!

[RS]

Huttunen in Poland with Hyundai R5: https://www.fiaerc.com/erc-junior-u27-graduate-huttunen-in-hyundai-for-poland/

[Kestask]

https://youtu.be/kaB0OUjs9bw Nikolay Gryazin doing rally in Lithuania. He said, the Roads are quite similar and it was very good training and car setup for Poland. Quite fast driving :)

[Jarek Z]

Some first news about the entry list - 56 crews in total, Aleksiej Lukyanuk with number 1, no Magalhaes.

[PLuto]

Entry list to Rally Poland - http://www.autosport.cz/zavody/soubor.php?f=20942

[RS]

I am hopeful to see a battle between Lukyanuk, Gryazin and Huttunen here, curious to see what Mares can do on gravel too.

What happened to Zawada?

[Mirek]

What happened to Zawada?

I don't really know but I dare to say it's money what he misses.

[PLuto]

With Zawada it is mainly with money. "His" car will use Byskiniewicz in Rajd Polski.

[Jarek Z]

"His" car will use Byskiniewicz in Rajd Polski.

Yes, but I think Byskiniewicz will compete in Polish championship only (there is a second entry list for this rally). "Their" car has already been rebuilt in gravel specification:

http://www.autoklub.pl/news/foto/201809/news20180913_87713h.jpg

[Jarek Z]

First shots from Tuesday's pre-event test for Rally Poland 2018 can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/flatoutmediaagency/photos/pcb.1866239856757001/1866231110091209/?type=3&theater

[Got Mail]

What is considered to be the ideal road position for this event?

[PLuto]

What is considered to be the ideal road position for this event?

Very difficult question. I think somewhere between 5-10.

[tommeke_B]

Very difficult question. I think somewhere between 5-10.

If it's dry...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Luyanuk fastest on the QS, Gryazin close in 2nd.

Ingram faster than Kreim in U28.

[dimviii]

https://scontent.fbru3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/42204035_1112309068928340_8632015569169678336_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=4a867f88487d6d1b98c439b15cb7d8d8&oe=5C296934

[Fast Eddie WRC]

From slow to fast: Ingram set for latest ERC challenge...
https://www.fiaerc.com/from-slow-to-fast-ingram-set-for-latest-erc-challenge/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

No big surprise on road position choices - driver's go in reverse of QS result with Luyanuk 15th.

[Jarek Z]

This is the starting order for Saturday:
1. Nobre/Morales (Skoda Fabia R5)
2. Poloński/Sitek (Ford Fiesta R5)
3. Pieniazek/Mazur (Skoda Fabia R5)
4. Kreim/Christian (Skoda Fabia R5)
5. Mares/Hlousek (Skoda Fabia R5)
6. Habaj/Dymurski (Skoda Fabia R5)
7. Grzyb/Wróbel (Skoda Fabia R5)
8. Pellier/Combe (Peugeot 208 R5)
9. Ingram/Whittock (Skoda Fabia R5)
10. Avcioğlu/Korkmaz (Skoda Fabia R5)
11. Herczig/Ferencz (Skoda Fabia R5)
12. Marczyk/Gospodarczyk (Skoda Fabia R5)
13. Huttunen/Linnaketo (Hyundai i20 R5)
14. Griazin/Fedorov (Skoda Fabia R5)
15. Lukyanuk/Arnautov (Ford Fiesta R5)

[Jarek Z]

The first stage already on Friday at 5PM - a 2,5km show stage in Mikolajki.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

This shows how the ruts are on these roads...
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dnn92aiXcAAnPt2.jpg

And how deep the gravel...
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dnn92acW0AE7kFs.jpg

[Jarek Z]

A quite enjoyable amateur video from Tinken Kanava's RalliVLOG - shakedown & qualifying stage, including a few mistakes, with interviews with Pieniazek and Lukyanuk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy8Gd9csNVU

[Got Mail]

Any live link for the stage?

[dimviii]

Lukys incar from qualify
https://youtu.be/y4So0nOPm54

[Got Mail]

1648

[RS]

Hmm, is this what happens when Luky is back in attack mode :(

[Ucci]

1648

why?????? No need to push.....

[RS]

Maybe he has to push the Fiesta a little too hard to keep up with the Fabia these days.

[Essaj]

Video from the Lukys off https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw9jAiOGDqs

[RS]

Video from the Lukys off https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw9jAiOGDqs

Uff, that's annoying, just ran a little wide and hit the tree.

Quick work by ERC to get that online though!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gryazin was the one who might do a mistake fighting with Luky, not the other way around !

Good battle behind between Ingram and Kreim.

[AnttiL]

why?????? No need to push.....

Or then again...no need to score any more points

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Not reading any comment by Ingram at the end of SS4... did he drive off to check a problem ?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

His car is OK after SS4...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DnsKr6TWsAERvE_.jpg

Deer jumped over the bonnet of Ingram on SS5 ! https://twitter.com/rajdpolski/status/1043483888788606982

https://i.imgur.com/6gTzdpl.jpg?1

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Huttunen & Gryazin identical times on SS5... great battle.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Pellier out - broken radiator couldnt be fixed.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DnsjZMrXsAAHWeu.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DnsjanjXcAoTrmp.jpg

[Essaj]

Ingrams moment with a deer https://twitter.com/rajdpolski/status/1043483888788606982

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gryazin fastest on every stage so far today.

I remember after he crashed on Rajd Rzeszowski 2017, I got criticised after describing him as one of the top driver's ...

[Rallyper]

He´s matured enough to go to WRC2 next year.

[RS]

He´s matured enough to go to WRC2 next year.

In terms of competitiveness, i don't really see WRC2 as much of a step up any more, but of course it's closer to WRC and any driver wanting a career in a WRC team should go there eventually.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gryazin finally beaten by Huttunen and Ingram re-passes Kreim. Good stuff.

[Rallyper]

In terms of competitiveness, i don't really see WRC2 as much of a step up any more, but of course it's closer to WRC and any driver wanting a career in a WRC team should go there eventually.

That was what I meant. Not many go from ERC direct to WRC spec car...

[Fast Eddie WRC]

He´s matured enough to go to WRC2 next year.

It's also a way of learning the WRC events which ERC driver's havent done.

Breen and Lappi have shown speed in WRC but they have had to do so while doing rallies that are new to them.

I hope Gryazin gets a chance but has he got the backing ?

[RS]

I hope Gryazin gets a chance but has he got the backing ?

I think so, yes. He has done a lot of events all around Europe these last couple of years.

[Jarek Z]

Well done Chris Ingram! He overtakes Kreim just before the finish of Leg 1. That means one more point in the Junior U28 standings!
"It was really enjoyable day, this rally is amazing. Good to be on the podium over night. I'm still learning, but I want to stay in front of Fabian Kreim."

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I think so, yes. He has done a lot of events all around Europe these last couple of years.

It will help if he can get the ERC U28 prize.

Huttunen may beat him here though. He has no pressure and Gryazin must finish for the Championship.

[RS]

It will help if he can get the ERC U28 prize.

Huttunen may beat him here though. He has no pressure and Gryazin must finish for the Championship.

If he does get the prize I would like to see him use it for a more complete ERC season or WRC2.. not spunk it away on a one off event in an old WRCar like Griebel did in Germany.

[Jarek Z]

Hmm, is this what happens when Luky is back in attack mode :(

Yeah, Lukyanuk is lucky that it was Magalhaes, who was his main opponent this year. With a better driver he would have probably lost the title again.

[RS]

Yeah, Lukyanuk is lucky that it was Magalhaes, who was his main opponent this year. With a better driver he would have probably lost the title again.


Maybe. But maybe also we are being too harsh.

Hopefully Luky and our forum friend Lehus will appear in Latvia and set the record straight :)

[Jarek Z]

Yeah, good luck to them! By the way, Lukyanuk explains his mistake here:
https://www.fiaerc.com/lukyanuk-explains-poland-erc-crash/

[RS]

Some nice videos:

Jumps & sideways: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOINI2PPmiY

Gryazin onboard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRXpT9LN2kE

Luky, including onboard of crash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9RU5wrJCng

Day's wrap up, including v. nice pass of Gryazin at 0:38: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgkIjL_YUq0

[Jarek Z]

The first Russian champions in the history of ERC :)
https://www.fiaerc.com/the-party-starts-now-lukyanuk-arnautov-fia-erc-champions-for-2018/

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ingram takes 9s off Kreim on SS11.

[Jarek Z]

Opel mechanics managed to repair the car and Martins Sesks restarted the rally. But it seems there are still some holes in the car after yesterday's crash :)

"We are like in Safari, after yesterday's crash there are some holes so a lot of dust inside."

https://www.fiaerc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/SesksSS4-e1537608000413.jpeg

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Ingram takes more time off Kreim on SS12 even though he was driving while trying to shut his door !

[Jarek Z]

Hopefully no deers today!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFV0TcF6Y3I

[Fast Eddie WRC]

SS13 Gryazin 4.1 slower than Huttunen. His lead is now down to 8.9' with 2 stages to go and only used tires left !
#FIAERC #RallyPoland https://t.co/NmrWMI7Bhk

[RS]

One stage to go now. Huttunen closes the gap further but was late to tc and will receive a penalty.

[tommeke_B]

What a shame, this penalty. He was down to 2,9s... Anyway, amazing rally from Huttunen. Keeping up with Gryazin on baltic stages, while driving a Hyundai, is an amazing performance!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

One stage to go now. Huttunen closes the gap further but was late to tc and will receive a penalty.

I wondered what was going on... Huttunen faster but lost time !

(Penalty didnt show on the App)

[Essaj]

Quite a roll from Wróblewski https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn1nDJnaPA4

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Kreim slow on the last stage...

Ingram takes an overall podium !! :D

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Gryazin wins both the rally overall and U28... well deserved, although Huttunen's time penalty cost him the win.

[tommeke_B]

Gryazin wins both the rally overall and U28... well deserved, although Huttunen's time penalty cost him the win.

It's not fair to say that Huttunen would have won without the penalty. Gryazin probably didn't push all the way on the last stage, as it was not needed anymore.

[dimviii]

Huttunen had a puncture at last stage,as some damage at rear
https://twitter.com/FIAERC/status/1043887504997437440

[Fast Eddie WRC]

It's not fair to say that Huttunen would have won without the penalty. Gryazin probably didn't push all the way on the last stage, as it was not needed anymore.

Who knows, Gryazin said sorry to Huttunen for his penalty.

"We had some problems, it was difficult with the tyres. I'm happy to be in the finish, I'm sorry for Jari's problems, he was really fast."

[Jarek Z]

Despite crashing out twice in the same rally Martins Sesks is the new Junior U27 European Champion. Congratulations!
https://www.fiaerc.com/breaking-news-sesks-is-erc-junior-u27-champion/

[Jarek Z]

Despite only 7th place in this rally Grzegorz Grzyb managed to secure his second Polish championship title. Congratulations!

http://www.autoklub.pl/news/foto/201809/news20180923_88002h.jpg

[Jarek Z]

Pellier out - broken radiator couldnt be fixed.

Pellier hit a hay bale on a tarmac section, what a bad season for him!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqGtqoERUoY

[RS]

How come Gryazin ran out of tyres? I thought there was a service after ss12?

Notice he was on Pirelli and i guess most other top crews on Michelin.. do they wear quicker?

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Great pictures again from Eurosport ... really enjoyed watching the highlights, especially the shots from the helicopter.

[PLuto]

How come Gryazin ran out of tyres? I thought there was a service after ss12?

Notice he was on Pirelli and i guess most other top crews on Michelin.. do they wear quicker?

Dont forget that there is limit 18 tyres per event. So it is also about strategy...

[Rally Power]

Congrats to Gryazin; he’s been quite impressive this year. Nice to see a podium full of young talented drivers; it shows how ERC bet on junior classes has been spot on. Well done!

[Jarek Z]

Great pictures again from Eurosport ... really enjoyed watching the highlights, especially the shots from the helicopter.

I'm glad you liked the TV report on Eurosport. But in rallying, sometimes amateurs find better spots than the professionals. What do you think about this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GrVZISaYqY

[the sniper]

I'm glad you liked the TV report on Eurosport. But in rallying, sometimes amateurs find better spots than the professionals. What do you think about this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GrVZISaYqY

I'm sure we're all familiar with that phenomenon and agree, but credit where it is due, Eurosport do a good job nowadays with the quality of their footage. The highlights shows were sometimes pretty abysmal during the IRC years, though the live coverage made up for it...

[RS]

Couple more nice clips with the front runners:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hx3u9uldhNo

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z2UtBrplEY

[nafpaktos]

and a question to Lehus.How much Alexey changed his driving style from the evo to r5.From the onboards seems a lot but i would like to read his opinion and if he had difficulties.

[Lehus]

and a question to Lehus.How much Alexey changed his driving style from the evo to r5.From the onboards seems a lot but i would like to read his opinion and if he had difficulties.

at the very beginning the style was the same. but as R5 is much more agile and precise, he was able to adjust the style to get better results with less sideways.

I do not think it can be called difficulties, it is more misunderstanding what this car is actually capable to do