Rally Silesia hosts the ERC for the first time this week, how are preparations going?
“All is going as we scheduled and planned. This is already the eighth edition of Rally Silesia, so we can say that we are experienced. As in previous years, we are working proactively to solve any problem before it even occurs. Still, we know to stay focused until the very end of the rally. The team is big, including local authorities, who support us, which is very helpful.”
What extra arrangements are required to host an ERC event?
“The number of competitive kilometres and the date – these are the main reasons. Polish championship rounds have around 100-120 kilometres of special stages, while in ERC, this number goes up to 180-200. This requires more work and more complex logistics to design the route, get all the paperwork done and offer a worthy challenge to crews. Moreover, this is the first time we cooperate with WRC Promoter. There are a lot of topics to discuss, but nevertheless, people are always very supportive.”
The overall ERC title will be decided on Rally Silesia – how exciting is that prospect?
“Being a decisive round in our ERC debut sounds great, right? The Silesian Stadium is an iconic venue in the history of sport in Poland. Many remarkable, well-remembered games were played there, including some historic moments. Now, this legendary venue will host the newly-crowned 2024 FIA ERC champion. Hayden Paddon and John Kennard are the frontrunners. They are very close to clinching the title in our region after travelling nearly 18,000 kilometres to do it. How cool is that? Of course, holding the final round is always a bit of a risk regarding the number of entries. Fortunately, we are lucky this year as nothing has been decided yet.”
What will drivers new to Rally Silesia experience and discover?
“Drivers with international experience who know the stages from previous years say that the diversity of the surface is our landmark. The Tarmac is bumpy or brand new in places. It might be pretty grippy and slippery as well, even if it is dry. One stage can be completely different compared to the next, so keeping a good, consistent pace can be challenging. The stages are mostly narrow and twisty. However, there are some wider sections with new, even Tarmac. Moreover, the crews might be surprised by how densely populated and urbanised the region of Silesia is.”
For fans, what is the stage they must visit and why?
“Rally HQ and two super specials are in the central part of Metropolis GZM, the first metropolis in Poland. This is one of the most populated regions in the country, with more than 2.5 million people living here. Silesia has undergone a serious transformation from a region dominated by heavy-duty industry, like coalmines, to a place where modern companies locate their operations. Many important events are held, and tourist offerings have been significantly improved. Importantly, the rallying tradition is strong here. Many Polish champions were born in our region, including former ERC regulars like Łukasz Habaj, Wojciech Chuchała, Łukasz Pieniazek and Kajetan Kajetanowicz, of course. This means that many fans are enjoying the Rally Silesia stages. SS Katowice and SS Silesian Stadium will be a great show, but we invite all the fans to watch other stages too. However, please remember to spectate safely and responsibly, no matter which stage you choose.”
Rally Silesia is round eight of the eight-event 2024 FIA European Rally Championship. It takes place from 11 - 13 October with all stages broadcast live on the Rally.tv platform. Click HERE for more event information.
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