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After a seven-year hiatus, the Orlen 80th Rally Poland is set to make a triumphant return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar next year. The event, scheduled for June 27-30, 2024, will be headquartered in the picturesque town of Mikołajki, reaffirming its status as one of Poland’s most prestigious sporting spectacles.
A Rich Rallying Heritage
The rally’s history dates back to 1921, making it the second-oldest rally in the world after the iconic Rallye Monte Carlo. While it last featured in the WRC in 2017, recent years saw it participate in the European Rally Championship.
Daniel Obajtek, the CEO of Orlen, highlighted the international significance of the event. “Nearly half of our revenues come from abroad,” he stated, emphasizing how motorsport ventures like the Orlen 80th Rally Poland serve as effective tools to bolster the global recognition of the Orlen brand.
The Road Back to WRC
Michał Sikora, President of the Polish Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (PZMot), expressed the federation’s joy and pride at the rally’s return to the WRC calendar, a feat achieved through meticulous organization and support from long-time sponsor Orlen. The cooperation with the town of Mikołajki, which has hosted the rally since 2006, was also crucial in securing the event’s status.
The 80th edition of the Orlen Rally Poland promises to be a momentous sporting occasion, with fans eager to witness the skills of top WRC drivers like Kalle Rovanpera, Sebastien Ogier, Ott Tanak, Thierry Neuville, and Elfyn Evans, alongside Poland’s rally elite.
Orlen Team’s Presence
Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Mikołaj Marczyk from Orlen Team will join the action on the Mazurian gravel roads. Additionally, Robert Kubica, Poland’s Formula 1 star and Orlen Team member, extended a warm invitation to all rally enthusiasts, emphasizing the rally’s significance.
The Orlen 80th Rally Poland’s return to the WRC calendar promises thrilling competition and a celebration of rallying’s rich history. Rally fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting this momentous event, set to captivate audiences both at home and abroad.