As the eight round of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Cuntry Rallies – LOTTO Baja Poland is just days away, a pre-event press conference was held in Warsaw. LOTTO Team's Krzysztof Hołowczyc and Jarosław Kazberuk, Orlen Team's Jakbu Przygoński, President of Szczecin Piotr Krzystek, Voyt of Community of Dobra Teresa Dera, Mayor of Drawsko Pomorskie Zbigniew Ptak, as well as President of the Organizing Committee of LOTTO Baja Poland Mariusz Podkalicki all took part in the conference hosted by Chairman of Polish Automobile & Motorcycle Federation Andrzej Witkowski.

– We're extremely happy that world's best drivers will pay a visit to our country. Thanks to LOTTO School of Champions this is also an event that gives young drivers taking part in the rally great opportunity. Previous editions we're organised at the highest level. Everyone stressed sincerity and hospitality of the hosts. I have no doubt that this will also be the case this year and that LOTTO Baja Poland will please all competitors and fans of off-road rallying. – said Andrzej Witkowski.

Running the rally would be impossible without co-operation of local authorities. Similarly to previous editions, this year's LOTTO Baja Poland will be held in Szczecin, Drawsko Pomorskie and Dobra.

– We all have fallen in love with Baja since day one, and that includes not just us but the entire local community. The fans want to see the best drivers in action and follow their competition. It's an enormous undertaking to organize an event like this, but we do that with great pleasure and commitment. This year's start will take place at Wały Chrobrego. It's a great place commonly known for sailing ship parades. We eagerly await all guests, competitors and fans. We expect great emotions. – Piotr Krzystek summed up.

LOTTO Baja Poland is a huge event for our region – stressed Voyt of Community of Dobra Teresa Dera. – We all can't wait for the rally to start. It will take place in a beautiful terrain that the competitors like very much. We also provide fantastic viewing spots for spectators.

Saturday's stages will be held around Drawsko Pomorskie, at the biggest military training ground in Europe. Every single kilometer of the route is crucial but it's expected that the stages held at the training ground will decide the final results of the rally.

– Stages around Drawsko Pomorskie have their established name and the level of difficulty comparable to the legendary Dakar Rally. This time we came up with something more. On Saturday in Drawsko Pomorskie there will also be a service park and a rally village with numerous attractions for the fans. It will be an opportunity to meet the stars of the sport. – said Zbigniew Ptak, Mayor of Drawsko Pomorskie.

Krzysztof Hołowczyc is much more than just a four-time Baja Poland winner. Third driver of this year's Dakar Rally served as an advisor to the rally organizers.

– Baja Poland has always been in my heart. Polish motor sports operate without significant founding and this event proves that in Poland we're able to prepare a splendid rally at the World Cup level. I'm very pleased that the rally has LOTTO in its name. This brand supports sport and proves that also disciplines that don't appear on front pages of newspapers on a daily basis are important.

– I always fight for the highest podium spot but this is World Cup and I'm aware that it's not going to be easy this time. My last start in this type of event took place in January's Dakar Rally. My latest passion, rallycross, absorbs me more and more but also this time I will take part in LOTTO Baja Poland with high hopes – added Krzysztof Hołowczyc.

Very experienced Jarosław Kazberuk is mainly known for his efforts behind the wheel of a truck but in Szczecin he will start in a car of different category:

– Last year it was a 9-ton truck, this year it will be a pick-up that weights 6 tons less. We wanted to take part in the entire World Cup season but unfortunately truck category is included only in three events. The choice of Ford Raptor was our own idea. Right now we're fine-tuning the car and making sure that it will allow us to win our category in LOTTO Baja Poland. – Kazberuk summed up.

Jakub Przygoński decided to swap two wheels for four: – It will be something completely new  to me. I will drive behind the wheel of a MINI with Andy Schulz alongside me. An experienced co-driver surely will help me a lot. Before I was the one who decides about everything, now I need to learn how to listen.

President of the Organizing Committee of LOTTO Baja Poland, Mariusz Podkalicki, spoke about changes in this year's edition of the event.

– This year's edition of the rally makes use of proven solutions but we've introduced a few changes. First of them is moving the ceremony of start to the most prestigious site in Szczecin – Wały Chrobrego. Rally village, service areas and offices are going to be situated on Szafera Street in Szczecin. Apart from the sporting aspect of the rally we also prepared numerous attractions, including children's area and road safety area. During the rally everyone will find something for himself. – ensured Mariusz Podkalicki.

This year's edition of LOTTO Baja Poland will start on Friday, August 28th, and will last until Sunday. Drivers will compete on a 706-kilometer route with 414 kilometers of special stages.