Byśkiniewicz and Siatkowski fastest around the Spodek Arena
A spectacular special stage around the Spodek Arena in Katowice opened the competition in Rally Silesia 2023. Łukasz Byśkiniewicz and Daniel Siatkowski (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) set the fastest time on 4-kms long test.
Rally Silesia 2023 started with an official opening ceremony at Dworcowa Street in the centre of Katowice. Forty-seven crews competing in the FIA ERT and Polish Rally Championship series crossed the ramp, followed by thirteen classic cars of the Motul Historic Polish Rally Championship. The competitors were greeted by huge crowd of fans and… miners’ brass band.
The cars were directed from the ramp to Walenty Roździeński Avenue, to the opening special stage of the rally – in the Zone of Culture and around the Spodek Arena. Łukasz Byśkiniewicz and Daniel Siatkowski (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) were the crew to beat on the 4-kms loop. Jarosław Kołtun and Ireneusz Pleskot in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 lost one second to the pace setters but they got a ten seconds penalty for hitting a barrel. Runners-up spot was therefore taken by Kacper Wróblewski and Jakub Wróbel (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo). The Orlen Team crew defeated a local crew of Dariusz Poloński and Łukasz Sitek (Volkswagen Polo R5) by just 0.2 seconds. The Polish Rally Championship leader Grzegorz Grzyb, co-driven by Adam Binięda, set fourth-fastest time aboard his Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo.
Piotr Krotoszyński and Mateusz Martynek (Ford Fiesta Rally3) took the lead in Class 3, for Rally3 cars. Just over five seconds separate top three crews in 2WD category: Jacek Sobczak and Mateusz Pawłowski (Porsche 911 GT3) lead Hubert Kowalczyk and Jarosław Hryniuk (Peugeot 208 Rally4) by 3.6 seconds. Gracjan Predko and Michał Jurgała (Peugeot 208 Rally4) trail the leaders by 5.6 seconds.
The Historic Polish Rally Championship field performed two runs of the special stage in Katowice. Top times on both tests belonged to Grzegorz Olchawski and Przemysław Bosek (Audi Quattro). After two stages Robert Luty and Marcin Celiński (Subaru Legacy RS) hold second position, while Krzysztof Głowala and Piotr Mitręga (Mazda 323 GTX 4WD) complete the top three.
On Saturday, 9th of September, the competitors face four different special stages. They will complete two runs of Jasienica (15.32 kms), Hażlach (12.20 kms) and Jastrzębie-Zdrój (18.20 kms) tests – without a service break in Chorzów between the loops but with tyre fitting zone in Bielsko-Biała. The day ends with a 1.5-kms test at the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów.
fot. Maciej Niechwiadowicz
Rally Silesia 2023 – overall standings after SS1:
1. Byśkiniewicz/Siatkowski (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) 3:02.8
2. Wróblewski/Wróbel (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) +1.3
3. Poloński/Sitek (VW Polo GTI R5) +1.5
4. Grzyb/Binięda (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) +1.7
5. Szeja/Szeja (Hyundai i20 R5) +2.6
6. Terlecki/Marczewski (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) +4.4
7. Kwiatkowski/Kozdroń (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) +7.3
8. Sobczak/Pawłowski (Porsche 911 GT3) +10.1
9. Kołtun/Pleskot (Ford Fiesta R5 MkII) +11.0
10. Płachytka/Fiołek (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo) +11.8
Rally Silesia 2023 – information:
Honorary auspices of the competition are held by Jakub Chełstowski, Marshal of the Silesian Voivodship.
The main partner of the Silesia Rally is the Silesian Voivodeship.
The strategic partner of the Rally Silesia is the Upper Silesian and Zagłębie Metropolis, and Kazimierz Karolczak, Chairperson of the Management Board of the Upper Silesian and Zagłębie Metropolis, has assumed honorary auspices of the competition.
The partner of the event is the city of Katowice, and the honorary auspices of the competition were taken by Marcin Krupa, Mayor of the City of Katowice.
The partner of the event is the city of Bielsko-Biała.
The Rally Silesia is organised in a cooperation with the poviats of Cieszyn, Pszczyna, Bielsko and Bieruńsko-Lędziński, the city of Jastrzębie-Zdrój, as well as the communes of: Skoczów, Jasienica, Hażlach, Pawłowice, Strumień and Dębowiec.
The Rally Silesia is sponsored by Silesia Oil sp. z o.o. – manufacturer of AVIA brand oils, Febi Bilstein and FOB-Decor.
Motul is the title sponsor of the HRSMP. Motowizja is the media partner of the competition. RMF Maxx is the exclusive radio patron of the event.
All information about the Rally Silesia can be found at www.rajdslaska.pl, Facebook @rajdslaska, Instagram @rajd_slaska and Twitter @RajdSlaska.
