The Barbórka Rally is a legendary event for motorsport enthusiasts from Poland and beyond. The name of this event comes from the name Barbara and is always organized around Barbara’s name day. This year’s edition was the 59th in Polish motorsport history. After a two-year break (in 2020, the rally took place in a virtual version), the cars returned to the streets of Warsaw and the surrounding area, and their engines warmed fans who were waiting for emotions.
The rally started on Friday, December 3rd with a stage in Pruszków which was a new addicion to this event. The stage itself was distinguished by the entrance to the roof of the shopping center. The first stage of the Barbórka rally was won by Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak (Skoda Fabia Rally Evo2), building an 8-second advantage over the second team.
Top 5 after the first stage:
- K. Kajetanowicz / M. Szczepaniak (Skoda Fabia Rally2)
- M. Marczyk / Sz. Gospodarczyk (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +8.40 s
- W. Chuchała / S. Rozwadowski (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +9.89 s
- J. Szeja / M. Sheya (Hyundai i20 Rally2) +12.18 sec
- M. Ratajczyk / J. Szcześniak (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +13.06 s
Saturday morning began with an episode organized on Autodrom Słomczyn. The stage consisted of two laps – on stadium and on stadium-gravel stage. The stage itself caused problems for the drivers – especially the two jumps entering the second lap. This episode was another prey for the LOTOS Rally Team, at the helm of which was Kajetan Kajetanowicz. The leader of the rally table left Słomczyn with an advantage of 11.64 seconds.
Top 5 after two stages at Autodrom Słomczyn:
- K. Kajetanowicz / M. Szczepaniak (Skoda Fabia Rally2)
- M. Marczyk / Sz. Gospodarczyk (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +11.64 s
- W. Chuchała / S. Rozwadowski (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +17.89 s
- M. Ratajczyk / J. Szcześniak (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +19.05 s
- J. Szeja / M. Sheya (Hyundai i20 Rally2) +20.89 sec
After two stages, the Barbórka Rally has come to Warsaw. The third stage, which consisted of two laps, was located on the Służewiec horse racing track. This stage was won by Kajetanowicz and Szczepaniak, who added a few precious seconds to the advantage over the second team in the field, which included Miko Marczyk and Szymon Gospodarczyk (ORLEN Team).
Top 5 after a stage on the Służewiec horse racing track
- K. Kajetanowicz / M. Szczepaniak (Skoda Fabia Rally2)
- M. Marczyk / Sz. Gospodarczyk (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +20.31 sec
- M. Ratajczyk / J. Szcześniak (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +35.58 s
- W. Chuchała / S. Rozwadowski (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +39.33 s
- J. Szeja / M. Sheya (Hyundai i20 Rally2) +39.35 s
The last stage, which was included in the general classification of the rally, took place on the Bemowo track. Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak were second to none and strengthened their advantage by adding a second, which contributed to the victory in the Barbórka Rally. For Kajetanowicz there is 8th victory in Rally Barbórka in his career and as well 8th consecutive (first in 2013).
Final classification of the 59th Rally Barbórka:
- K. Kajetanowicz / M. Szczepaniak (Skoda Fabia Rally2)
- M. Marczyk / Sz. Gospodarczyk (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +21.09 sec
- M. Ratajczyk / J. Szcześniak (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +39.76 s
- W. Chuchała / S. Rozwadowski (Skoda Fabia Rally2) +41.37 s
- J. Szeja / M. Sheya (Hyundai i20 Rally2) +42.10 p
From Bemowo, the rally moved to the center of Warsaw to Karowa Street. The Barbórka Rally ended with a stage that was not included in the general classification. It was a separate competition. For many fans, this stage is the most iconic and is the quintessence of the Barbórka Rally, which could be seen in the full stands. Low temperatures did not prevent the fans from watching the competition live on Karowa Street. The start of the stage was preceded by an impressive drifting show. This episode was also captured by Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak. For Kajetanowicz it is the 9th victory in the special stage at Karowa street.
