ERC
Five reasons why ERC Katowice super special is not to be missed
The southern Polish city of Katowice will attempt to rival Rome and Zlín when it hosts what’s expected to be a spectacular super special stage on its streets this evening. Here are five reasons why the opening stage of Rally Silesia, the deciding round of the 2024 FIA European Rally Championship, is not to be missed.
1: Polish super special aces out in force
When it comes to winning super special stages, look no further than Łukasz Byśkiniewicz and Miko Marczyk. Byśkiniewicz scored his maiden Polish championship stage win on the streets of Rzeszów. Indeed, of his 10 Polish championship stage wins to date, six have been on street stages, including two on Rally Silesia. In 2022, Byśkiniewicz was fastest through the Silesian Stadium super special, while in 2023, he was quickest on the streets of Katowice. Marczyk, meanwhile, banked his maiden ERC stage win on the Mikołaki Arena super special and was also fastest on Rally Hungary's Rabócsiring SSS in 2020, performances he repeated in 2023.
Five reasons why ERC Katowice super special is not to be missed
© ERC
2: Landmarks aplenty in store
Several landmarks line the Katowice super special route. The Spodek multipurpose arena complex, which opened in 1971, includes a gym, an ice rink, a hotel and three large car parks. It was the largest indoor venue of its kind in Poland until it was surpassed by Kraków's Tauron Arena in 2014. Spodek's name comes from the Polish for flying saucer since its iconic shape resembles a UFO. Spodek is a major contributor to the cultural significance of Katowice in Poland. It's also the venue where the Polish volleyball team became world champions in 2024.
3: Rallying roundabout
The route of the Katowice super special has required the biggest and most famous roundabout in the region – which is inhabited by 2.5 million people – to close temporarily. A popular spectator spot is located on the opposite side of the road from Spodek close to the Monument of Silesian Insurgents, one of only two successful uprisings in Polish history.
Five reasons why ERC Katowice super special is not to be missed
© ERC
4: Walking's easy
It's less than 15 minutes by foot from the ceremonial start on Dworcowa Street to the Katowice super special stage, which is being run for the third time in 2024. For fans not in Katowice, you can follow all the action on from 20:05 local time.
5: Donut delights
Part of the super special route requires drivers to perform donuts around giant barrels in two separate sections. There's also a tight hairpin where drivers will make a handbrake turn.
