Junior ERC
Young Polish talents impress in ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy
Tymek Abramowski wasn’t the only young Polish talent to impress during round three of the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy last weekend.
Although Abramowski struck gold with the category win on ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland, Adrian Rzeźnik once again underlined his potential, while ex-kart racer Adrian Łabuda delivered a standout performance on his maiden gravel outing and his first at international level.
“The stages were pretty tough but we managed to make it to the end,” the 18-year-old Łabuda said. “For me the plan is 100 per cent completed for this rally. We are second in Polish championship, third in Fiesta Trophy and fourth in ERC. For my first gravel rally and my first start in ERC it’s incredible.”
For my first gravel rally and my first start in ERC it’s incredible.”
Issues on both legs denied Rzeźnik on ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland
© Greg Roslon
For Rzeźnik, another 18-year-old Polish talent, ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland promised so much but sadly delivered little in the way of tangible reward.
After topping the ERC3 and ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy times on the Mikołajki Arena super special on Friday evening, Rzeźnik, with Kamil Kozdroń co-driving, had high hopes of extending his run of success through Saturday’s opening leg.
Instead, having depleted his supply of spare tyres following a double deflation, Rzeźnik was forced to retire for the day.
Rzeźnik was fast but out of luck on home ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy round
© Greg Roslon
Undeterred, Rzeźnik restarted on Sunday’s deciding leg but, after posting the second best time on SS9, a damaged wishbone on SS10 caused further frustration.
Following repairs in service by his Grabowski Motorsport team, Rzeźnik was second quickest in class on SS12 only for a broken wheel to lead to his early exit on SS13.
“The Land of a Thousand Lakes was like the Land of a Thousand Adventures for us,” Rzeźnik said. “Rally Poland definitely did not go our way, even though we felt very well prepared for it. It was a great pity to have problems during the home competition, in front of Polish fans who provided us with great cheering and motivation right from the official start. It is great to compete on gravel under the flags of Poland - we also hope to come back here stronger next year and fight for high places.”
Meanwhile, Tristan Charpentier, who finished second in class in Poland, continues to top the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, which rewards the eventual champion with a Ford Fiesta Rally2 prize drive on September’s JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion, along with various incentives on each round. The Frenchman is seven points ahead of Abramowski and 11 in front of Igor Widłak.
Charpentier tops the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy standings
© ERC
Who won what on ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland
On each ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy round, several incentives are handed out. Here’s a reminder of who won what on ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland.
Tymek Abramowski: 12 new Pirelli tyres, voucher for 150 litres of Warter RALLY EVO2 fuel
Tristan Charpentier: 6 new Pirelli tyres, voucher for 100 litres of Warter RALLY EVO2 fuel
Adrian Łabuda: 2 new Pirelli tyres, voucher for 50 litres of Warter RALLY EVO2 fuel
The ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, which supports five FIA ERC3 Championship rounds in 2025, continues on Rally di Roma Capitale from 4-6 July.
Adrian Rzeźnik photos by Greg Roslon
