A massive field of 208 competitors representing 13 nations is set to take on the Columna Medica Baja Poland 2025 this weekend (August 29-31). The event is Poland’s largest and most prestigious cross-country rally and serves as a key round of the FIA European Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.

This year’s edition is a round for an impressive 10 different championships and series, resulting in an incredibly diverse entry list. The lineup features crews in top-tier Ultimate class machines known from the Dakar Rally, production-based vehicles, lightweight and agile SSVs, as well as motorcycle and quad riders, and a lone entry in the truck category.

RECORD HOLDERS AND CHAMPIONS

A total of 23 crews will compete for glory in the FIA European Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, the event’s most prestigious classification. Leading the field are the highly experienced Czechs, Miroslav Zapletal and Marek Sykora, who will start with number 200 on the door of their Ford F150 Evo (Ultimate T1+). Following them with number 201 are local legend and nine-time Baja Poland winner Krzysztof Hołowczyc, partnered by Łukasz Kurzeja. They will pilot the newest machine from the X-Raid team, the MINI John Cooper Works Rally 3.0i. Marking a historic first for the team, it is their first-ever petrol-powered rally car.

Starting third on the road (No. 202) is Martin Kaczmarski, co-driven by Portugal’s Hugo Magalhaes, the 2017 European Rally Championship runner-up. Kaczmarski will be at the wheel of a Toyota Hilux Overdrive.

The top six also includes Michał and Julita Małuszyński (No. 203, MINI John Cooper Works Rally+), the reigning Polish Cross-Country Rally Champions and last year’s runners-up. The Lithuanian duo of Benediktas Vanagas and Aisvydas Paliukenas (Toyota Hilux) will start with number 204, followed by Włodzimierz Grajek and Michał Goleniewski (Toyota Hilux) at number 205. In total, 11 crews are entered in the Ultimate class.

The series leaders, Bartłomiej Wajzer and Ernest Górecki, will also be vying for victory in their Toyota Land Cruiser KDJ in the Stock/T2.1 category (production-based vehicles with limited modifications).

The Challenger group (T3) features four crews, including category leaders Miguel Angel Valero and Carlos Ruiz of Spain (VM Competicion T34). Meanwhile, the SSV group (T4) will see seven crews battle for the win. A noteworthy entry is Maciej Oleksowicz (BRP Can-Am Maverick X3), co-driven by Marcin Sienkiewicz. The former circuit and rally driver, with starts in ERC and WRC, returns to competition after a 10-year hiatus, making his cross-country rally debut at Baja Poland.

A UNIQUE COURSE CAR: THE 1985 DAF F3300

Before the competitors hit the stages, the course will be opened by a crew that knows the event well. Representatives of the Kamena Rally Team will perform the role of the ‘zero car’ (course-opening vehicle) in a truly exceptional machine: a 1985 DAF F3300. This is the same truck, restored in 2003, that Jan de Rooy piloted to a second-place finish in the Paris-Dakar Rally 40 years ago.

The three-person crew of this beast consists of Tomasz Białkowski (driver), Dariusz Baśkiewicz (co-driver), and Adam Grodzki (mechanic). The DAF F3300 is a unique twin-engine design, with separate powerplants driving the front and rear axles. With approximately 800 hp on tap, the truck can reach 200 km/h, though regulations limit its top speed to 140 km/h. For the Kamena Rally Team, this appearance is a crucial part of their preparations for next year’s Dakar Classic.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLES HEAT UP

Columna Medica Baja Poland 2025 is also a pivotal round for the Polish Championship (RMPST), the Czech Championship (MMCR), and the FIA Central Europe Zone (CEZ) Championship.

The combined entry list for these series boasts 51 crews, including one three-person truck team. A total of 48 crews will be fighting for points in the Polish Championship, with 37 eligible for the Czech Championship and 47 for the FIA CEZ classification. Notably, 12 of these crews are also competing in the FIA European Cup.

The fiercest competition is expected in the SSV group, with 17 crews on the entry list, including Polish Championship leaders Grzegorz Gąsiorowski and Katarzyna Szałęga (Polaris RZR Pro R). The UTV class is the second largest, where 11 crews will compete for the top spot, with Mirosław Tokarczyk and Adam Binięda (Can-Am Maverick X3) aiming to defend their lead.

The sole truck entry is the Czech trio of Jaroslav Valtr, Lukas Kvasnica, and Radim Kaplánek in an IVECO Powerstar Torpedo. The organizers have accepted eight entries in the Ultimate group, five in Stock, six in Challenger, and three in TH.

COMPETITION AND ADVENTURE

The event also includes the Cross Country Cup, a series dominated by SSV vehicles, which make up 22 of the 31 registered crews.

Columna Medica Baja Poland 2025 provides an opportunity for amateur off-road enthusiasts without sporting licenses to sharpen their skills in a safe and professionally managed event. The Baja Poland Foundation, the event organizer, has prepared dedicated categories for them, including the Can-Am Baja Promo (cars) and the Baja Promo ATV and Baja Promo Adventure (motorcycles and quads).

Licensed riders will compete in the Polish Baja Rally Championship (eight entries, including one quad) and the Polish Baja Rally Cup (three motorcycles, four quads). An additional three motorcyclists will participate in the amateur series.

In total, 208 competitors from 13 countries will take part in the event.

EVENT BY THE NUMBERS

  • 208 – Total competitors on the entry list.
  • 13 – Nations represented by participants.
  • 93 – Four-wheeled vehicles entered (cars and SSVs).
  • 13 – Motorcycle riders taking part.
  • 8 – Quad riders set to tackle the demanding terrain.
  • 48 – Crews competing in the Polish Championship round.
  • 23 – Crews registered for the FIA European Cup for Cross-Country Bajas.
  • Lithuania is the second most-represented nation after Poland, with 6 competitors.

COLUMNA MEDICA BAJA POLAND 2025 SCHEDULE (FIA European Cup):

Route: 611.15 km, including 5 Special Stages totaling 351.66 km.

Friday, 29 August:

  • 09:00-13:00 – Shakedown (Wołczkowo)
  • From 16:45 – Special Stage 1: Prologue (Szafera Street, Szczecin, 8.87 km)
  • From 19:30 – Ceremonial Start, Press Conference & Starting Position Selection (Netto Arena, Szczecin)

Saturday, 30 August:

  • From 09:00 – Special Stage 2: Drawsko Pomorskie Military Training Area (149.75 km)
  • From 12:25 – Service A (45 min, Bucierz)
  • From 13:30 – Special Stage 3: Drawsko Pomorskie Military Training Area (149.75 km)
  • From 16:05 – Service B (45 min, Bucierz)

Sunday, 31 August:

  • From 09:10 – Special Stage 4: Sławoszewo – Wołczkowo (26.08 km)
  • From 10:50 – Service C (90 min, Szafera Street, Szczecin)
  • From 13:00 – Special Stage 5: Sławoszewo – Wołczkowo (26.08 km)
  • 14:00 – Final Podium Ceremony (Netto Arena, Szczecin)