ERC - European Rally Champioship 2008

Round 4, Poland

European Rally Championship

Second oldest . . .                             

Rally Poland, the second oldest rally in the world and the most prestigious motorsport event in the country will celebrate its 65th anniversary in 2008. This widely known and highly regarded European event is to be held on the gravel stages of the Mazurian Lakes District for the fourth year running.

Rally Poland is one of the oldest motorsport events in the world. The first edition of the rally was held 1921. All competitors tackled the loop from Warsaw through Bialowieza and back to  Warsaw. In the twenties and thirties of the previous century there were twelve editions of the event. Later on it was stopped by the World War II and returned in 1947. Since 1960 the history of Rally Poland as a round of European Rally Championship has begun. In 1973, right after the launch of World Rally Championship the event was once adopted for the series.

Rally Poland was organized in various parts of the country: in Cracow, Wroclaw, and Klodzko. Since 2005 the headquarters of the event are Mikolajki, north-east of Poland. The tarmac stages were substituted by spectacular gravel roads of Mazurian forests and lakes. In 2008 Rally Poland will be held in June 6-8. Similarly to previous editions it will count to European and Polish Rally Championships. The status of 2009 WRC round was also confirmed by FIA for “Polski”, as it is well known among the drivers and rally fans.

Best Site . . .

It is very easy to get to Mazurian Lakes District. We are in the very heart of Europe. Fryderyk Chopin Warsaw Airport, situated 200 km from Mikołajki provides daily connections to major European airports. There are three roads to be chosen to drive to the host town of the rally from the capital of Poland. The distance of 300 km is to be covered from Gdańsk which also boasts of many international flights to and from its Lech Walesa Airport. The cradle town of Solidarity and nearby Gdynia offer ferry connections from Scandinavian countries as well.

Best premises . . .

The Headquarters of the rally will be located in the famous tourist resort of Mikołajki which once a year, in June becomes the capital of rallying. Mega-Hotel Gołębiewski with its excellent Congress Centre will host HQ again. Rally Park with the service area and parc ferme will be situated close to the hotel which offers 650 rooms, 13 luxury suites, restaurants and bars.

There is a big choice of hotels in the rally area as Mikołajki and nearby resorts are famous for high standard tourist infrastructure. The region attracts competitors, journalists and spectators with its finely developed accommodation facilities and cosy restaurants serving delicious food.  One may also experience a stay in the newly opened four-star hotel in the XIV century castle of Teutonic Knights.

Best Stages . . .

The route of the 65th Rally Poland covers 750 km, with 12 gravel special stages winding for 279 km and a super-specjal stage which will be run twice on a newly built rally circuit. The rally route is divided into two days and very compact. All stages are close to the host city Mikolajki.

Best Views . . .

The tourist and sport resort Mikołajki will be the host city of the rally. Mazurian Pearl  as it is often called - is situated in the heart of lakes and forests, north east of Poland. There are also excellent conditions for canoeing, ice-sailing, angling, ice-angling, windsurfing, skating, hiking, cycling or horse riding. Walking tracks are offered by picturesque Mazurian Landscape Park which boasts about great variety of trees and plants, peat bogs, more than 200 species of birds and wild animals. For those who are not fond of active recreation the sightseeing from a board of white fleet ship is available.