Kajto gets a homecoming in ERC

The Polish hero is set to pilot a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 as the course-opening zero car for what will be an emotional return to his home region.  

Kajetanowicz spent his early career driving on stages around his hometown of Cieszyn, close to where this year’s Rally Silesia – a new addition to the ERC for 2024 – takes place.   

He made his class-winning Polish championship debut in the Silesia region in 2003 but then faced a 10-year wait before the series returned to his home territory in 2013.  

“In rallies, it's not only about the time we clock on stages but also how we manage the time between the rallies,” Kajetanowicz, the 2023 FIA WRC2 Challenger champion, said. “Sporting activity, commitments to partners, team members, fans and loved ones have taught me to manage my time skilfully, so I strive to combine the pleasant with the useful.   

“The ORLEN 80th Rally Poland was special to me thanks to the support and presence of irreplaceable Polish fans. Thanks to you, I can truly enjoy driving on the stages. Therefore, I couldn’t refuse the organisers' invitation to drive the course car during Rally Silesia. Besides meeting the best fans in the world and carrying out a responsible task in my home region during the final round of the European championship, it will be a sentimental journey to the beginnings of my career.”

He continued: “The event runs in the region where I debuted in the Polish championship during the International Silesian Rally in 2003, winning my category. I can't wait to return to my roots, although I know I face a great responsibility as the zero car driver.”  

Grzegorz Wróbel, president of the Automobilists' Foundation, the organiser of Rally Silesia, said: “It’s hard to imagine a better course car crew than Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak. For us, the organisers of Rally Silesia, Kajetan's and Maciek's work is a great support which helps us to run the final round of the European championship safely. We are grateful that such an experienced driver accepted our invitation and will take on this task.   

“For the fans, it's a unique opportunity to see the ORLEN Rally Team crew in action on the Tarmac stages in Poland. Rally Silesia has an emotional significance for Kajetan. The final round of the European championship will take place in his region.”  

Rally Silesia hosts the eighth and deciding round of the 2024 ERC season from October 11-13.