ERC
ERC champion Marczyk looks to Tarmac after completing gravel test
Miko Marcyk will use the upcoming Tarmac-based rounds of the FIA European Rally Championship to get his title defence firmly back on track.
After being crowned ERC champion in a thrilling three-way decider on Croatia Rally last October, Marcyk made a rare error by crashing out of the 43rd Andalusia Rally - Sierra Morena - Córdoba World Heritage Site season opener in April.
But he responded with seventh place on last month’s gravel-based BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia and will head to the all-asphalt Rally di Roma Capitale 13th in the standings and 17 points adrift of top spot.
Marczyk wasn't completely at home on Sweden's fast-paced gravel
© ERC
“It’s good for us after the first round, Sierra Morena, which was really tough, that we are on the finish line,” Marczyk said at the completion of BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia. “For sure the pace of driving was not like we expected but we also know that always this is the hardest rally with the package that we have. I’m trying to fight every time and before this weekend I was thinking that we can fight for the higher positions.
“It’s good we are on the finish line. I’m not fully happy with my performance, but the basic was done to fight more on the Tarmac races and the confidence is getting higher.
The basic was done to fight more on the Tarmac races and the confidence is getting higher
“I was trying to keep the speed until the end, but it would be too slow. Now it’s the time for the Tarmac and it’s necessary to be in much better pace and confidence on the Tarmac events.”
Marcyk excelled on last year’s Rally di Roma Capitale with back-to-back stage wins putting him into an early lead. The Michelin-equipped driver eventually finished third after going fastest on the event-deciding Power Stage.
Three more Tarmac events follow Rally di Roma Capitale including Marczyk’s home event, 82nd Rally Poland, from 24 - 26 July.
A crash meant ERC title defence didn't get off to the best start in Spain
© ERC
European champions set for Roma reunion
Szymon Gospodarczyk is set to return as Miko Marczyk’s co-driver on Rally di Roma Capitale after the Pole missed BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia due to a clashing event.
While Marczyk was competing in Sweden, Gospodarczyk was in Argentina navigating his young countryman Eryk Goczał on Desafío Ruta 40, round three of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship.
After winning the first stage – a 340-kilometre timed loop around the city of San Juan – Goczał and Gospodarczyk finished 13th overall and 10th in the WRC2 Ultimate category.
With Gospodarczyk unavailable, Marczyk turned to Daniel Dymurski, who has co-driven Marczyk on selected events over the years.
