by R. Madorran – photo: wrc.com

Expectations were running high for what is already one of the most spectacular races of the calendar. This year’s Rally Poland had all the ingredients to be the perfect stage for the epic fight that took place, including the adverse weather conditions and a top competitive level.   

Thierry Neuville of team Hyundai lead during the best part of the rally but was closely followed by Tänak who managed to take him over at some stages up until he crashed his Ford Fiesta at great speed against a tree at three stages from the finish line, having to withdraw from the competition. Young Neuville, a 29 year old Belgian national, shined above everyone else (with Tänak’s permission) and proclaimed himself as the outright winner.

A relentless fight

Both drivers showed their worth from the first day of the competition when they made their way to the top positions of the grid; but it was on the second day that they demonstrated a clear dominance becoming the leaders of the classification. Their aggressive driving reflected the increasing tension of their relentless fight. They squeezed their cars to the limit offering the most thrilling and beautiful moments of the Rally.  

Everything ended abruptly when Tänak’s Ford Fiesta crashed against a tree leaving him out of the competition. “It happened in the only muddy place in the forest,” Tänak said. “I hit a bank with the rear and it pulled the front into a tree.” Neuville, who once more was the fastest driver of the rally, quickly got out of his car to check on his extraordinary rival.

Rally Poland 2017 did not disappoint

Great things were expected of this rally and it certainly did not disappoint. When a driver thinks of the Polish Rally there are just three words that come to his head  “Fast! Fast! Fast!” and in all truth, that sums it up. Its course runs across muddy tracks designed to be raced at over 150 km/h. This year the organisation decided to make it even more challenging by adjusting some of the stages and adding some extra ones to the delight of the competition’s fans.

But that was not all: The rain that has been the backdrop during the whole of the competition has made every stage even more exciting. Unfortunately the organisers decided to cancel the SS7 due to the excessive accumulation of water on the track and to guarantee the safety of the public.

Video: Highlights WRC Poland Rally 2017