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The fourth and final round of the Polish Drifting Championship unfolded at the renowned Poznań Circuit on 28-29 September. Over 60 competitors showcased their skills on the legendary Poznań Circuit.
This circuit is well-known and beloved by competitors. The fast initial section with long curves seems tailor-made for drifting, followed by a straight where drivers often reached speeds around 130 km/h, ending with a final technical turn requiring braking. The Poznań Circuit served as the crowning jewel of this year’s Polish Drifting Championship series, not only for its iconic status but also because it hosted the decisive final round where Polish champions across three classes were crowned.
The PRO class competition remained intense throughout the season, with three drivers in contention for the title entering the final round. As tradition dictated, Saturday’s qualifying session was preceded by practice rounds, offering a glimpse of the main contenders for the championship. For the third consecutive time in the Polish Drifting Championship cycle, Paweł Korpuliński clinched the top spot in qualifying, earning 95 points and narrowing his deficit to the overall leader to just five points. Łukasz Tasiemski secured second place, while Jakub Król, ranked third overall before the round, claimed third.
Given the narrow margin between competitors, Sunday’s final runs would ultimately determine the new champions. The tension mounted as the top three title contenders all secured victories and advanced to the TOP 4 semifinals. Entering the final round as the leader, Alex Holovnia triumphed in TOP 32 against Rafał Barzycki, then bested Mikołaj Zakrzewski in TOP 16, and defeated Sweden’s Viktor Wettemark in TOP 8, setting up a semifinal showdown with Jakub Król, ranked third overall. Holovnia emerged victorious, advancing to the final. Meanwhile, Paweł Korpuliński overcame Hungary’s Gabor Kanalovics in TOP 32, dispatched Orest Michalczuk in TOP 16, and defeated Czech competitor Pavel Hudecek in TOP 8. In the semifinals, as in 2023, Korpuliński faced Dawid Sposób, ultimately prevailing and setting up a clash with Jakub Król for third place.
This led to a final showdown between the season’s top two drivers – Paweł Korpuliński and Alex Holovnia. The outcome of this final race would determine the Polish champion, keeping the tension high until the very end. In a battle that epitomized the season’s drama, Korpuliński took the lead due to his qualifying victory. Holovnia lost some ground from the start and through the first two zones, prompting him to attempt a bold move in the third zone. However, the maneuver proved too aggressive, causing contact between the cars and ultimately pushing Korpuliński off the track. After a spectacular off-track excursion, Korpuliński’s car emerged unscathed. Following a swift inspection by mechanics, he returned for the second final run. Ultimately, Paweł Korpuliński emerged victorious, claiming the final race, the fourth round of Polish Drifting Championship, and the overall PRO class championship, successfully defending his title as the 2024 Polish Drift Champion. Alex Holovnia secured second place in both the competition and the overall standings. Dawid Sposób earned third place in the competition, while Jakub Król secured third overall in the championship.
This season proved to be one of the most thrilling in the history of the Polish Drifting Championship, with suspense and fierce competition lasting until the very final race!