Rally Poland

Last included as a round of the WRC in 1973, Poland's most prestigious motorsport event celebrates its 66th anniversary this year with a return to the WRC calendar.

The event has a long and illustrious history stretching back to 1921, making it the second oldest rally in the world after Rally Monte Carlo. In its earliest form the route covered 600 km and ran back and forth from Warsaw to Bialowieza, but since then the event's location and format has changed considerably.

For many years 'Polski' was an asphalt round of the European Championship, based on the roads in the south of the country in Cracow and the Lower Silesia regions. In 2005, however, the rally was moved to the Mazurian Lakes District. A base in the town of Mikolajki provides excellent access to some spectacular gravel stages.

New for 2009

The whole thing. After a successful observation in 2008 the FIA granted Rajd Polski WRC status for 2009. It's going to be interesting to see how the WRC regulars adapt to the new challenge and how the experienced Polish drivers match up to their World Championship rivals.