(30.08.2018) Although he finished his professional racing career in 2015, his form still can be envied by many younger rivals. He proves his pace every season, when he makes one-event comeback, to compete in Columna Medica Baja Poland. This is not a surprise, because he has some great memories from Szczecin after winning this event record-breaking five times. The one we mean is Krzysztof Holowczyc. This year Mini driver will cheer his home fans again, when he tackles Polish FIA World Cup counter with his co-driver Lukasz Kurzeja.

- Having finished my professional career I promised my fans, that I will do my best to meet them once a year on special stages. Not only I always try to keep my promises, but I have a rule, which says – everything I do, I do with full commitment. This is why I will compete in Columna Medica Baja Poland behind the wheel of fully professional and very competitive rally car – Mini prepared by X-Raid team – said Krzysztof Holowczyc.

German X-Raid is responsible for Mini team and running brand’s cross-country rallying programme. The cars built by crew under command of Sven Quandt proved their pace and reliability in many events. Holowczyc drove Mini both when he took FIA World Cup victory back in 2013 and when he reached 2015 Dakar rally finish in third position. FIA World Cup standings leader Jakub Przygonski is another Pole who uses Mini John Cooper Works Rally in his title-bidding campaign. However, there is also third Mini on entry list.

- Exactly the same car as my Mini will be driven by Michal Maluszynski. I am very glad that Michal, who took some lessons from me, will compete in Columna Medica Baja Poland as a leader of Polish Cross-Country Rally Championship. Actually, this gives me as much fun as my own start in this event. I think I can be afraid that he might be faster than me. But this does not bother me at all, to be honest. It would make me proud of work we have done together – explained Holowczyc.

- Together with Michal we improved not only his pace, but strategic thinking too, which is very important in cross-country rallying, just like pure speed – said five-time Baja Poland winner. – To win the championship you need to finish rallies and score as many points as possible. In order to achieve this, driver needs to maintain a good and consistent pace during two, three or even four hours of racing.

There is such a long challenge in Columna Medica Baja Poland itinerary. Crews will face it at military range in Drawsko Pomorskie, where two runs of 220-kilometre long stage will be held. – This test has a very diverse character. The surface is mostly sandy, but there are parts with harder paths, fast sections and areas with big holes too. On the other hand, when it rains the stage becomes very muddy. All in all, this is a really demanding stage, especially when you consider how many things can surprise the driver there. Even Nasser Al-Attiyah, who probably is the most experienced cross-country driver, admits that Drawsko stage is the one of the toughest – said former European Rally Champion.

- I cannot promise that I will win but I am going to push as much as I can. However, I am not sure whether my pace will be very competitive from the very beginning of the rally. What I know is that I am hungry for rallying and I hope this will give me a pace good enough to fight for the expected result – concluded Holowczyc.

For Holek, as Polish fans call Olsztyn-born driver, Baja Poland is guest outing, but for Jakub Przygonski this is another crucial step towards his ultimate goal – to win FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, just like Holowczyc did in 2013 season. – I keep my fingers crossed for Kuba as much as I can. It would be fantastic to see another Pole winning FIA World Cup. I believe that Kuba will not throw away his advantage, especially after I saw how fast and consistent he is behind the wheel – said Holowczyc.