Route

• Super-quick sandy roads dart among the picturesque countryside of the Masurian Lake District holiday region in northern Poland.
• Based in Mikolajki, several hours north of Warsaw, which hosts the start, finish and a super special stage next to the service park that is run three times.
• After Thursday evening’s curtain-raiser in Mikolajki, Friday is unchanged from last year. It features two loops of four tests to the north-east, before a repeat of the super special stage duels - a total of 116.16km.
• Saturday heads north towards the border with the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad for four stages that are driven twice, before a last pass over the Mikolajki super special.
• Four final tests will be held on Sunday, including the new Paprotki Power Stage. 

Challenge

• Very fast roads will see speeds approach those of Rally Finland. 
• Tall grass lines many sections, limiting visibility on the approach to corners. 
• Grass also hides rocks so cutting corners is a risky pastime.

Car spec

• Gravel suspension.
• Soft compound tyres are the primary option, but hard rubber will also be available.

History

• First established in 1921, Rally Poland is one of the world’s oldest rallies.
• It was included in the inaugural WRC season in 1973 when there were only three classified finishers. Four other crews completed the route but were excluded for being out of time.
• It left the calendar and became an asphalt event in the European Championship.
• It returned to WRC in 2009 when Mikko Hirvonen won, after which it was again removed. 
• It returned to the championship for a second time in 2014.

What’s new for 2017 

• Almost a third of the route has not featured in the last three editions. 
• Two brand new stages – Saturday’s 23.80km Pozezdrze and the 10.50km Orzysz, both of which are driven twice. 
• A Saturday lunchtime service in Mikolajki after morning stages north of the town. 
• Paprotki Power Stage will replace Sady as the bonus points decider on Sunday.

Don’t miss

• Mikolajki’s super special stage which includes spectacular head-to-head duels on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. It is within walking distance of the service park so make sure you combine a visit to both.
• If you are going to watch, then stay on for a few days to enjoy the lakeland area of Masuria. The area is a prime tourist destination famous for its lakes and forests and offering activities such as sailing, kayaking, swimming, angling, walking and cycling.

Photos

PZM RALLY POLAND