New Superspecial stage for Rally Poland

The organisers of Rally Poland have announced that a brand new Superspecial stage complex including permanent grandstands will be built in time for the country's inaugural WRC event in 2009.

The new Superspecial is a figure-of-eight configuration and will allow two cars to compete head-to-head. Building work is expected to begin at the end of February so the basic track can be run in June as part of this year's 65th Rally Poland, the third round of the European Rally Championship and fourth round of the Polish Rally Championship. The whole complex is due to be completed by January 2009.

Andrzej Witkowski, president of Polish Automobile and Motorcycle Federation said: "The new venue will make the competition yet more attractive. For rally sports fans it will be an excellent and safe arena from which to watch and admire the skills of the best drivers in Europe and - next year - the world."

Witowski also confirmed the event will continue to be based in the town of Mikolajki, in the north-east of the country, until 2014.

Rally Poland will step up to WRC status in June 2009 when it hosts host one of the 12 rallies that will make up the season. The gravel rally is expected to be part of the WRC on alternate years from then on.