(02.09.2018) Poles dominated the high-speed off-road battle in Columna Medica Baja Poland. Soon it was clear that only two drivers are serious candidates to win this event – FIA World Cup leader Jakub Przygoński and Krzysztof Hołowczyc who already won Szczecin-based rally five-times. Eventually it was Przygoński who took the victory – his fourth this season. For Orlen Team representative it is a huge leap which moved him much closer to winning the FIA World Cup for the first time in his career. This success seems to be even more possible after his biggest rival – Vladimir Vasiliev (Toyota Hilux Overdrive) - scored in Poland 14 points less than Przygoński.

On their way to victory Przygoński and Tom Colsoul won four out of seven stages, which has been held in Columna Medica Baja Poland, meanwhile on three remaining stages best times clocked Holowczyc and Łukasz Kurzeja. Both of these crews tackled demanding paths in West-Pomeranian voivodeship in X-Raid-built Mini John Cooper Rally cars.

After winning the opening stage, Przygonski headed to military range in Drawsko Pomorskie as a rally leader. However, all of the drivers, including Przygonski, knew that two runs of 222-kilometre long test will be crucial in Polish World Cup counter. This proved to be true. On the first run Przygonski suffered puncture, which cost him nearly two minutes. Holowczyc had a trouble-free run and took the lead. The situation changed completely when crews started the second battle at military range. Przygonski was flying and kept consistent pace, while Holowczyc lost many minutes after he got stuck in muddy water-splash. Other FIA World Cup regulars learned how tough Polish stages are. Both Vladimir Vasiliew and Martin Prokop did not avoid punctures. Nevertheless, Russian and Czech drivers were off the Poles’s pace, as they finished the first leg over 12 minutes behind Przygonski.

Even though Orlen Team driver had a pretty comfortable margin, he did not lift his foot up on Sunday. He won two out of four stages during second leg of Columna Medica Baja Poland. On the two other tests Krzysztof Hołowczyc was the fastest. Martin Prokop was unlucky on Sunday morning. His car suffered fuel pump failure and Czech crew lost over seven minutes. This promoted Vasiliev to third position, ahead of Prokop, who dropped to fourth overall. This situation did not change until the finish in Szczecin.

Thanks to Columna Medica Baja Poland victory Jakub Przygonski scored a maximum number of 30 points and increased his advantage in the FIA World Cup overall standings. Meanwhile Orlen Team driver’s biggest rival – Vladimir Vasiliev – added 16 points to his account.

Two rounds before season ends Przygonski has as many as 288 points. Second-placed Vasiliev managed to score total number of 217 points. Czech driver Martin Prokop - fourth in Columna Medica Baja Poland - is third with 198 points. There are 90 points left to score in two remaining FIA World Cup events. This means that Przygonski needs 19 points to clinch the title.

Drivers quotes after Columna Medica Baja Poland:

Jakub Przygoński (1st place overall, John Cooper Works Rally):

- I am very happy, because this was very tough and risky event. We had to keep very high pace, knowing how fast Holowczyc is in this rally. Everything worked for us. My cooperation with Tom was very good and we brought the car home without any scratch. I am very glad because we were going very fast without dangerous situations. This proves that we had our pace under control.

Krzysztof Hołowczyc (2nd place, John Cooper Works Rally):

- The result is pretty good. It would be very good if we had won. I know it was in our sight. After second stage we had nearly two-minute advantage and it seemed that I only needed to keep an eye on rivals’ pace in order to have situation under control. Unfortunately, second run of Drawsko stage proved that first on the road is likely to be unlucky. We entered the water-splash on its right side, but we did not know that this is the place where water is the deepest. Nevertheless, I am happy with my pace, because once again I proved I can be competitive even in one-event comeback. I really wanted to win for the sixth time, but on the other hand I am glad that Kuba is so close to win the World Cup.

Martin Prokop (4th place, Ford Raptor RS):

- It was good event for us until Sunday’s morning. We hit a big hole, the engine stopped to work, and we could not start it for over six minutes. It’s a shame because we lost the podium this way. The stage at military range was very diverse and demanding. This was a good chance to test the car setup and improve my pace before Dakar Rally.

Columna Medica Baja Poland 2018 – final results:

1. Przygoński/Colsoul (POL/BEL, Mini John Cooper Works Rally) 5:27:45
2. Hołowczyc/Kurzeja (POL/POL, Mini John Cooper Works Rally) +3:34
3. Wasiliew/Żilcow (RUS/RUS, Toyota Hilux Overdrive) +16:56
4. Prokop/Tomanek (CZE/CZE, Ford Raptor RS) +20:56
5. Zapletal/Momot (CZE/POL, Ford F150 Evo) +22:46
6. Hozak/Sykora (CZE/SVK, Hummer H3 RS) +50:37
7. Pena Campo/Tornabell Cordoba (ESP/ESP, Polaris RZR 1000) +1:58:18
8. Abdulla/Polato (QAT/FRA, Nissan Patrol Y62) +2:00:18
9. Gonzalez/Delaunay (FRA/FRA, Polaris RZR 1000) +2:07:13
10. Piana/Bourcet (FRA/FRA, Polaris RZR 1000) +2:09:05

FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies standings (after 9 rounds):

1. Jakub Przygoński (POL)           288 pts
2. Władimir Wasiliew (RUS)          217 pts
3. Martin Prokop (CZE)                  196 pts
4. Jose Luis Pena Campo (ESP)   64 pts
5. Yazeed Al-Rajhi (SAU)                60 pts
6. Yasir Hamad Seaidan (SAU)      58 pts
7. Ahmed Alshegawi (SAU)            49 pts
8. Aron Domżała (POL)                   36 pts
9. Miroslav Zapletal (CZE)              34 pts
9. Adel Hussain Abdulla (QAT)      34 pts
10. Claude Fournier (FRA)              31 pts

Columna Medica Baja Poland 2018 – stage winners:

OS-1 Szczecin: Przygoński/Colsoul (POL/BEL)
OS-2 Drawsko Pomorskie: Hołowczyc/Kurzeja (POL/POL)
OS-3 Drawsko Pomorskie: Przygoński/Colsoul (POL/BEL)
OS-4 Krzekowo: Hołowczyc/Kurzeja (POL/POL)
OS-5 Lubieszyn: Przygoński/Colsoul (POL/BEL)
OS-6 Krzekowo: Przygoński/Colsoul (POL/BEL)
OS-7 Lubieszyn: Hołowczyc/Kurzeja (POL/POL)