(25.08.2018) The most prestigious series in world of off-road rallying – the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies – enters its decisive phase. After eight rounds only three events separate us from the end of the season. Columna Medica Baja Poland (31 August – 2 September) is the nearest of them. As many as 190 competitors in 113 vehicles decided to enter Polish World Cup counter. On the top of the entry list there is Polish driver – Jakub Przygonski, who currently leads cup standings with a healthy margin.

It will be seventh time, when Columna Medica Baja Poland is held as a round of FIA World Cup. What is more, the event counts towards FIA Central European Zone Championship (FIA-CEZ), Polish Cross-Country Championship (RMPST), Czech Republic Cross-Country Championship (MMCR) and Polish Cross-Country Rally Cup (RPPST). Furthermore, the special stages in West Pomeranian Voivodeship will be the arena of battles in Dacia Duster Elf Cup – one-make series for competitors in rally versions of cars made by Romanian manufacturer. The goal of this cup is to provide an affordable chance of career development to young and promising talents. The ambassador of the Cup is none other than Krzysztof Holowczyc. Columna Medica Baja Poland is the event for motorcycle and quad drivers too. These entrants compete in Polish Baja Rallies Cup (PPRB). All in all, there are 190 competitors from 18 countries on entry list. Among 113 vehicles there are 81 cars, 13 motorcycles, 18 quads and 1 truck.

The entry list is packed with many famous names too, including the top drivers of FIA World Cup 2018 season. However, Polish fans wait to see their famous compatriots, who drive one of the fastest off-road rally cars. It is Krzysztof Holowczyc, who have already won the FIA World Cup and Jakub Przygonski, who is on his way to repeat Holowczyc’s success from 2013 season. Both Przygonski, co-driven by Tom Colsoul and Holowczyc with his co-driver Lukasz Kurzeja, use Mini John Cooper Works Rally, prepared by renowned X-Raid team.

Among Poles’ biggest rivals and serious candidates to win Columna Medica Baja Poland there are Vladimir Vasiliev and Konstantin Zhilcov. Russian crew, which is currently second in FIA World Cup standings, drives Toyota Hilux rally car build by famous Belgian Overdrive team. 49-year old Vasiliev is another driver who have already won the most important trophy in off-road rallying. Russian driver achieved this a year after Krzysztof Holowczyc. Among the favourites to win Columna Medica Baja Poland there are Czech drivers as well. First of them is Martin Prokop, who is well-known thanks to his many WRC outings. Second is very experienced Miroslav Zapletal. Both Czech competitors use rally versions of Ford pickups. Prokop have chosen Raptor RS Cross Country, while Zapletal drives F150 Evo model.

One of the most interesting entries is the crew of German driver Dirk von Zitzewitz and Norwegian co-driver Ola Floene, who start with number 327. In 2009, von Zitzewitz took Dakar Rally victory as a co-driver of Giniel de Villiers. Meanwhile Floene has done nearly 100 WRC rallies so far. He also won IRC (Intercontinental Rally Challenge) series in 2012, together with Andreas Mikkelsen.

Just like year before, the rally HQ and service park will be based on Lasztownia island in the heart of Szczecin. This is the place where the fans will see every crew during the start ceremony (Friday, from 4:30 PM). Before the ceremony, shakedown test is planned between 9 AM and 1 PM around Szafera street – in the north western part of Szczecin.

Just after the start ceremony the crews will tackle the opening stage of Columna Medica Baja Poland – over 7-kilometre long test in Szczecin. The most important part of the off-road battle will take place at the military range in Drawsko Pomorskie. This stage is considered as one of the toughest challenges in whole FIA World Cup. This year Drawsko test is 220-kilometre long and runs twice. Between both runs there will be a service break in Drawsko Pomorskie.

The second leg of the rally comprises two special stages placed near Szczecin, both of them tackled twice. First of them is Krzekowo stage (18,5 kms), while the final test of the event is Lubieszyn (10,5 kms). The whole route of Columna Medica Baja Poland covers 736,38 kms, including 505 kms of special stages. For Polish Cup participants the itinerary is shortened to 236 kms for motorcycles and 259,6 kms for quads. The results of Columna Medica Baja Poland 2018 shall be known on Sunday, 2nd of August in the afternoon.