The event, which is the second oldest rally in the world, returns to the World Championship for the fourth time since its inception in 1921 but, unlike last year, will run solely amid the picturesque Masurian lake district of Poland. 

Based around the tourist lakeside resort of Mikołajki, nearly 250 kilometres north of Warsaw, the route has undergone extensive modification and the 2.5 kilometres making up the super special stage are the only competitive kilometres to be completely unchanged. Characterised by its fast roads, with speeds approaching those on Rally Finland, the added challenge of Rally Poland is the tall grass lining the sides of the road, reducing visibility going into corners and making cutting a risky business. 

Aside from the 14 World Rally Car crews entered in the event, including the crowd-pulling talent of Robert Kubica, LOTOS Rally Poland is a qualifying round of all the WRC’s support championships. An impressive list of 30 crews have registered in the FIA WRC 2 Championship, including three-times Polish Rally Champion and three-times winner of Rally Poland, Krzysztof Holowczyc, while the competition will remain hot in the FIA WRC 3 Championship, which also includes nine of the registered FIA Junior WRC Championship contenders. 

Three stages will be broadcast live on the international feed; SSS1 on Thursday, SS13 on Saturday and the all-important Power Stage on Sunday (SS19).

LOTOS RALLY POLAND – ROUTE GRAPHICS

THE 2015 ROUTE

The event kicks off with a ceremonial start in Mikołajki’s town square on Thursday and is immediately followed by the first of three runs around the super special stage. Friday will be a tough day with nearly 160 competitive kilometres and nothing more than a tyre change during the middle of the day. One stage – Stanczyki – has also never been run in any edition of Rally Poland. Saturday’s route is shorter and includes eight stages, three of which are run twice, while Sunday is a short dash to the finish with two runs over the 14.60 kilometre Baranowo test, the second run counting as the Power Stage.

RALLY DATA

Total distance:1,192.50 kmStage distance:313.53 km (26.3%)Number of stages:19

RALLY POLAND TIMETABLE AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ORGANISED BY THE FIAMEDIA ACCREDITATION

The Accreditation Centre is located in the Hotel Golebiewski, 34 Mragowska Street, 11-730 Mikołajki. The opening hours are:

Wednesday 1 JulyMandatory rally by rally photographers briefing, 17:45 hrsphotographers' roomThursday 2 JulyShakedown (P1 and P2 drivers)08:00-09:30 hrsShakedown (P1, P2 and P3 drivers)09:30-11:30 hrsShakedown (Non-Priority drivers)11:30-13:30 hrsMeet the Crews, WRC Stage, Service Park11:45 hrsFIA Press Conference, Press Room12:15 hrsAutograph session, Mikolajki main square15:30 hrsCeremonial start, Mikolajki main square16:00 hrsSSS119:00 hrsFriday 3 JulyRegroup and tyre fitting zone, Goldap13:15 hrsRegroup and Media Zone, Mikolajki18:52 hrsFirst car arrives for final service and Media Zone19:25 hrsEnd of day ‘Meet the Crews’, WRC Stage, Service ParkDuring the 45' serviceSaturday 4 JulyFirst car arrives for regroup, mid-day service and 13:23hrsMedia ZoneRegroup and Media Zone, Mikolajki20:05 hrsFirst car arrives for final service and Media Zone20:38 hrsMeet the Crews, WRC Stage, Service ParkDuring the 45' serviceSunday 5 JulyRegroup, Mikolajki10:10 hrsFirst car arrives for final service and Media Zone13:00 hrsPrize-Giving and podium ceremony14:00 hrsFIA Press Conference, Press Room14:30 hrs 

FIA PRESS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE

Thursday 2 JulyHenri Haapamaki, FIA Junior WRC ChampionshipOsian Pryce, FIA Junior WRC ChampionshipAndrea Crugnola, FIA WRC 3 ChampionshipSander Parn, FIA WRC 2 ChampionshipKrzysztof Holowczyc, FIA WRC 2 ChampionshipMads Ostberg, Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally TeamKevin Abbring, Hyundai Motorsport NOtt Tanak, M-Sport World Rally TeamAndreas Mikkelsen, Volkswagen Motorsport IIRobert KubicaSunday 5 JulyWinning FIA Junior WRC Championship crewWinning FIA WRC 3 Championship crewWinning FIA WRC 2 Championship crewTop three crews in the overall classificationRepresentative of the winning entrant

Autograph Signing Session: On Friday and Saturday selected crews will be available for a 15 minute autograph session. This will take place in the service park during the end of day service at the teams’ service areas.ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES 

‘Meet the Crews’: On Friday and Saturday the top three drivers will attend a ‘Meet the Crews’ session for media and fans. This will take place on the WRC Stage at the earliest opportunity during the 45’ service.

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS

The provisional classifications for all the WRC Championships can be found here.

STAGE CHART

Shortly after the finish of the event, a downloadable stage chart showing the progressive positions of the leading crews during the rally will be available. This is copyright free for editorial purposes and available at the following here.