Chapter I: Friday’s Multi-Decimal Second Duel
The third round of the Polish Rally Championship (KIQ RSMP) and the FIA European Rally Trophy, Valvoline Małopolska Rally 2026, commenced with an incredibly tight battle on the demanding, narrow asphalt stages around Wadowice and Lanckorona. The opening Friday leg was defined by razor-thin margins and constant leadership changes. Drivers had to cope with an extremely slippery road surface, where even the minor error in choosing the racing line threatened a catastrophic off-course excursion. After the spectacular, late-evening downtown stages of OS AYRA Wadowice, Łukasz Byśkiniewicz and Daniel Siatkowski (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) climbed to the top of the overall classification. Their lead over the chasing brothers, Jarosław and Marcin Szeja (also in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2), was a mere +0.3s, setting up an intense battle for Saturday.
Chapter II: Szeja’s Decisive Saturday Attack on SS11 Mucharz
The definitive blow in the fight for the overall victory was delivered on Saturday morning during the iconic SS11 MOSUR/JANCARZ – Mucharz stage. Jarosław Szeja, renowned for his uncompromising and highly precise driving style on high-speed tarmac, launched a fierce attack from the very first meters of the special stage. The Ustroń-based brothers perfectly managed their Michelin starting tire pressures, allowing them to aggressively cut corners and extract maximum mechanical grip from their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. The Szejas outperformed Byśkiniewicz on this test by a substantial 10.0s, which completely reversed the rally’s outlook and gave them what seemed to be a secure 9.7s advantage in the general classification. It was a spectacular display of pure engineering efficiency.
Chapter III: Tactical Defense and Safety Concerns on Power Stage Zawoja
The final loop of the rally delivered a massive dose of adrenaline and tactical chess. Łukasz Byśkiniewicz refused to yield, winning the subsequent SS12 HERN – Zawoja stage and closing the gap to the leaders. The rally’s final outcome was decided on the highly demanding MOYA Power Stage Zawoja, measuring 8.60km in length. Grzegorz Kołtun and Ireneusz Pleskot registered the fastest time on this test, claiming 5 bonus championship points. Byśkiniewicz finished second-fastest, clawing back 6.1s from the Szeja brothers. Nevertheless, Jarosław and Marcin Szeja managed their pace intelligently, despite finishing only sixth on the Power Stage, their cumulative lead was sufficient to secure a spectacular overall victory, crossing the finish line in Maków Podhalańskim with a +7.3-second margin.
Chapter IV: RSMP Standings Dynamics and the Silesian Horizon
The victory in Małopolska allowed Jarosław and Marcin Szeja to solidify their lead in the KIQ RSMP 2026 Drivers’ Championship standings after three completed rounds. The Ustroń-based crew has accumulated 89 points, leading their closest rivals, Łukasz Byśkiniewicz and Daniel Siatkowski, by a mere 5 points (84 points). Adrian Rzeźnik sits third in the championship with 77 points, promising a highly competitive second half of the season. The next round of the national championship will be the legendary 82nd Rally Poland, which is undergoing an asphalt revolution in Silesia this year. The high-speed Silesian stages will demand even greater chassis setup precision, acting as a crucial milestone in the fight for the championship title.
