Marczyk takes Paddon inspiration into home ERC round

The double Polish champion, 28, starts Rally Silesia in the fight to finish runner-up in the final ERC standings alongside co-driver Szymon Gospodarczyk. His previous best ERC finishing position was in 2021 when he placed third in the final table with three podiums.  

He said: “Hayden showed in Wales he was on WRC level, a top driver compared to the others. It’s good for him and I hope one day maybe I will be in this position with Szymon in ERC. But for now we are in the third position in ERC after our best race of the season.  

“If someone would tell me before [Rali Ceredigion] I would be fourth overall I would really appreciate it and probably I would take it with blind eyes. I appreciate it but I’m always thinking about the long term in this championship. It was an important moment and I did not [finish] it like I would like.”

ORLEN-backed Marczyk, who competes in a Michelin-equipped Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, has contested Rally Silesia – known as Rajd Śląska in Polish – on four occasions. He was second on his debut in 2017 before winning in 2019 and again in 2021.   

“I have a lot of good memories from Rajd Śląska,” Marczyk said. “My first Polish championship title was there on the finish [in 2019] and I think we can show there some speed. I don’t know how good but it’s a good time to push everything we have to fight for this second place in the championship, it will still be tough.”  

Marczyk is currently third in the ERC standings, 13 points behind second-placed Mathieu Franceschi and 20 ahead of Andrea Mabellini.   

The all-asphalt Rally Silesia, an ERC newcomer for 2024, takes place from 11 - 13 October.