Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Jarek Baran displayed thrilling performance on their debut in Circuit of Ireland Rally. Driving here for the first time – on very quick, narrow and bumpy roads of Northern Ireland – LOTOS Rally Team crew scored excellent second place in overall standings. Just over six seconds separated them from victory and today they were fastest in classification of Day 2. Kajetanowicz and Baran showed amazing consistency on 18 special stages with total length of over 215 kms, finishing 16 tests in top three: including 9 second fastest times and 2 stage wins. Thanks to these excellent stage results Kajetanowicz scored 95 points in FIA ERC Asphalt Master standings and holds second position in tarmac championship classification.

Irrespective of conditions, changeable grip and fickle weather, Kajto and Jarek, driving their Ford Fiesta R5 on stages they had never tackled before, were able to fight with rivals on equal terms and put a lot of pressure on the Irish frontrunners. After victory in Jännerrallye, scoring important points in Latvia and fantastic result in Northern Ireland, Kajetanowicz and Baran sit firmly among the leaders of FIA European Rally Championship. Having scored 75 points, the Polish crew is currently second in overall standings of the oldest rally series in the world, enjoying 35-points advantage over third-placed crew and trailing the leaders by just 3 points.

Performance of LOTOS Rally Team crew impressed not only the Polish fans, who turned up in large numbers to watch the competition in Circuit of Ireland Rally, but also many rivals who – despite their experience on these roads – had to accept the supremacy of Kajetanowicz and Baran. To put the Northern Irish success of LOTOS Rally Team into perspective, the Polish duo defeated 17 crews in top class S2000 and R5 cars. The event was won by factory Peugeot driver Craig Breen, who has massive experience on these roads. Top three in overall standings was completed by another Irish driver, Josh Moffett, who trailed Kajetanowicz by over one and a half minute.

Kajetan Kajetanowicz: – We did our best on the final stage. I was pushing very hard. Many thanks to the whole LOTOS Rally Team and to all fans, especially to the Poles who supported us here in great numbers. This event was extremely tough and exhausting – not only for the driver, but also for the co-driver. I want to thank Jarek very much, for him this rally was a great mental and physical challenge. We are tremendously happy. I am very happy that I lost just 6 seconds to the driver who knows these roads like back of his hand. We had a lot of fun on Northern Irish roads so we are looking forward to coming back here next year, if we will have such chance. I hope we gave the fans a lot of fun and success of LOTOS Rally Team is a nice Easter gift :-) Our whole team worked hard to achieve it. We had a fantastic, ferocious battle with Robert Barrable and Craig Breen, emotions ran high until the finish. This rally was very good for our experience. This was probably the best tarmac rally in my life. Beautiful island, beautiful roads. We leave this place full of hope and highly motivated to continue our fight in European Rally Championship. I am already thinking about the next rally, I want to fight as hard as I can.

Jarek Baran: – Already after the recce I said that these stages are incredible. After the rally I can only confirm and add that they are even more amazing than I thought. You can only try to feel the rhythm of these stages while preparing the pace notes but what really happens during the rally and competition – and a lot was happening here – is just unbelievable. The challenge was really big, with high average speeds on special stages and constant changes of rhythm. We had a close fight with fastest local crews and second place is a fantastic result, not only for newcomers on these roads. Many thanks for support and Happy Easter to everyone!