ERC
Why 100% Chorbiński is a very real threat in ERC3
The high-level competition in the FIA ERC3 Championship is set to shift up another gear on 82nd Rally Poland with the addition of Michał Chorbiński to the Rally3-based category entry.
Chorbiński, an ERC3 podium finisher on a one-off outing in 2024, has dominated his class in the KIQ Polish Rally Championship this season, taking three victories out of three, 32 stage wins out of 32 and the maximum 105 points available.
He will take on top ERC3 talents, including Pirelli-supplied points leader Ville Vatanen, Michelin-equipped opening round winner Lucas Zielinski and Craig Rahill, who claimed the category victory on Rally di Roma Capitale earlier this month.
Polish star is unbeaten at home this season
© Michał Chorbiński
“There is definitely a line I cannot cross because the Polish championship remains the priority,” Chorbiński said. “Knowing the consequences of not finishing a rally, it is difficult to focus only on the European championship, even though I would really like to. We will see where we are compared to the field after the first few stages and adapt to the situation.”
There is definitely a line I cannot cross because the Polish championship remains the priority
But after 32 stages without defeat, Chorbiński’s ambitions extend beyond his domestic classification.
“The target has to be the finish and another win in the Polish championship,” said Chorbiński, who, like Zielinski, drives a Renault Clio Rally3. “At the same time, I hope for a good result in ERC. I believe we are capable of a lot, but realistically, with the more important objective in mind, a podium would be a success.”
Chorbiński is a contender for ERC3 honours on his home event
© Michał Chorbiński
Chorbiński enters the ERC3 fray at an exciting time in the title chase. After three rounds, the top three – Vatanen, Zielinski and Casey Jay Coleman – are separated by five points with Rahill eight points behind fellow Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy-backed Ford Fiesta Rally3 driver Coleman. Petr Kačírek and Kalum Graffin are also firmly in contention.
Cian Caldwell and Alexandra Teslovan will also be chasing ERC3 points on 82nd Rally Poland along with six other Polish drivers, Tadeusz Bieńko, Sebastian Butynski, Błażej Gazda and Igor Widłak, plus category newcomers Tomasz Bargiel and Marcin Górny, a firefighter by profession.
Alexandra Teslovan will be a Rally Poland rookie
© ERC
The Katowice-based 82nd Rally Poland runs from Friday 24 July until Sunday 26 July on asphalt-only stages.
How to watch?
Fans across the globe can experience the excitement and drama of the ERC with every stage of every rally broadcast Rally.TV platform. In addition, the ERC is broadcast in a number of countries around the world and fans are advised to check local listings for details.
82nd Rally Poland: the key numbers
Stages: 15
Competitive distance: 187.60 kilometres
Total distance: 918.32 kilometres
