• 6 top three times on 8 special stages for Kajetanowicz and Baran;
• LOTOS Rally Team debutants hold podium position halfway through Circuit of Ireland Rally;
• Kajetanowicz and Baran go quickest on the second loop;
• 39 points scored by Kajetanowicz in FIA ERC Asphalt Master classification.

Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Jarek Baran, competing for the first time in Circuit of Ireland Rally, finished the opening day of round three of FIA European Rally Championship in podium position in overall standings. Fighting against very strong opponents, LOTOS Rally Team crew recorded six top three times on eight special stages run today. Kajto is also the fastest rookie in this rally, as well as top-placed driver from outside Ireland.

Today’s competition in first tarmac round of this year’s FIA European Rally Championship was marked by extremely difficult weather conditions and changeable grip. On opening three stages the drivers fought on wet and muddy roads and on next five tests the surface was drying out, although in some places it remained unexpectedly slippery. Kajetanowicz and Baran did a great job during this leg, demanding not only for rookies. LOTOS Rally Team crew clearly boosted their pace on the second loop and set the fastest time on stage number six, finishing the remaining four stages in the afternoon in top three.

After first leg of Circuit of Ireland Rally the Poles hold third place in overall standings, enjoying advantage of more than 30 seconds over fourth placed crew. Only Irish drivers are in front: Craig Breen in the lead, followed closely by Robert Barrable.

Kajetan Kajetanowicz: – A lot was happening on today’s stages, we had loads of work to do in the cars. But this is work and challenge that we love. We are very satisfied because we finished the day in top three, in such difficult rally. It was an eventful day. During the first loop we had to avoid many pitfalls, like standing water and mud on tarmac. Then, on the second loop, the surface was drying out but in some places it was extremely slippery. In such conditions it was really difficult to read the road and judge the grip and in order to fight with the frontrunners we had to take a lot of risks. Precision was crucial in our driving because we were competing on very fast but extremely narrow roads, very bumpy with many huge jumps. It is really difficult to maintain quick pace without knowledge of these specific stages and all those tricky places. I am happy that we are competing here because I learn a lot and gain massive experience, so I already know that it was worth coming here. I am glad that we could accept this challenge, especially because there are so many Polish fans here. Polish flags are flying on special stages and road sections, encouraging us to fight. Today we showed that Polish guys not only work hard in Ireland but also drive fast in rallies :-)