(01.09.2018) Second run of special stage in Drawsko Pomorskie has brought positive result for Jakub Przygoński and Tom Colsoul, who are the main candidates to win the FIA World Cup this season. Orlen Team representatives won afternoon battle at military range and took the lead in Columna Medica Baja Poland overall classification. What is more, they are on the right track to increase their advantage in FIA World Cup standings, because their main rivals – Vladimir Vasiliev and Konstantin Zhilcov – dropped to fourth overall with over 14 minutes gap to the leaders. Meanwhile there are no more than 60 competitive kilometres to cover during final leg of Polish World Cup counter.

Przygoński and Colsoul covered the second run of Drawsko Pomorskie stage with average speed of 97,4 km/h. It took them 2 hours, 17 minutes and 9 seconds to finish SS3, which was the best result among all of the competitors. Second-placed Martin Prokop and Jan Tomanek lost nearly 5 minutes to stage winners (average speed of 94,1 km/h).

It was not trouble-free run for Krzysztof Hołowczyc and Łukasz Kurzeja. Five-time Baja Poland winner lost few minutes when he got stuck in water splash, which he did not expect to encounter in the stage. In consequence, after the third stage Holowczyc and Kurzeja had fallen to second overall. Meanwhile Vasiliev and Zhilcov lost nearly nine minutes to Przygonski and Colsoul. Russian crew was also held back by unfortunate water splash and eventually finished the SS3 in fourth position. All in all, they dropped out of top three. Miroslav Zapletal and Bartosz Momot scored fifth result during the second run of Drawsko test, but they also lost some time in mentioned water splash.

Michał Małuszyński and Julita Małuszyńska, Polish Cross-Country Championship leaders will not reach the finish in Szczecin, after a crash, which ruled them out of further battle.

After three stages and 445 competitive kilometres Przygonski and Colsoul lead the rally with a healthy, 3,5-minute advantage over Holowczyc and Kurzeja. Third-placed Prokop and Tomanek are already over 12 minutes behind leaders. Over 14 minutes separate Vasiliev and Zhilcov, who are currently fourth, from Przygonski and Colsoul.

There are four stages left to be held in Columna Medica Baja Poland. The itinerary of final leg comprises two stages, both of them run twice – Krzekowo (18,39 km) and Lubieszyn (10,5 km).

Columna Medica Baja Poland 2018 – unofficial classification after leg 1:

1. Przygoński/Colsoul (POL/BEL, Mini John Cooper Works Rally) 4:41:01
2. Hołowczyc/Kurzeja (POL/POL, Mini John Cooper Works Rally) +3:27
3. Prokop/Tomanek (CZE/CZE, Ford Raptor RS) +12:27
4. Vasiliev/Zhilcov (RUS/RUS, Toyota Hilux Overdrive) +14:15
5. Zapletal/Momot (CZE/POL, Ford F150 Evo) +20:07
6. Hozak/Sykora (CZE/SVK, Hummer H3 RS) +45:47
7. Schroeder/Schroeder (GER/GER, Nissan Navara) +48:04
8. Piana/Bourcet (FRA/FRA, Polaris RZR 1000) +1:39:40
9. Abdulla/Polato (QAT/FRA, Nissan Patrol Y62) +1:40:0
10. Pena Campo/Tornabell Cordoba (ESP/ESP, Polaris RZR 1000) +1:43:31