Michał Kościuszko and Maciek Szczepaniak were close to coming in tenth in the overall classification, but eventually did not manage to complete Rally Mexico. This was due to a serious failure of their Mini WRC’s engine, which occurred on the last day of the rally, on the longest Guanajuatito section.

Contending in the third round of this year's World Rally Championship, the LOTOS Rally Team ranked tenth in the overall standings after the first loop on Friday. It was difficult for Michał and Maciek to rank any higher because they were the first team on the track. “We were cleaning the road as the saying goes, having no reference points that would show us where to brake and how to cut curves, so we certainly had a harder time of it than the others,” said Michał Kościuszko.

The technical, 30-kilometre El Chocolate section turned out to be a particular challenge, as the control arm of Michał's Mini WRC got damaged at the very start. The weather did not help them make up ground, either. The air temperature was above 30 degrees Celsius, badly affecting not only the competitors, but also their engines and tyres. After thirteen special stages run on Friday, the LOTOS Rally Team ranked 11th.

On the third day, the Kościuszko-Szczepaniak duo defended the 11th position in the overall ranking. However, due to technical problems, the Polish team were forced to give up on their plan to secure a position among the top ten performers of Rally Mexico. “It all started with the overheating engine,” explained Michał Kościuszko. “Then, to make things worse, the differential went out as we were approaching the second loop section, and along with it went our chances of maintaining the tenth, point-winning position. There was nothing we could do."

The last day of the rally was even less propitious for the LOTOS Rally Team. Following another engine failure on the longest, nearly 55-kilometre Guanajuatito section, Michał and Maciek were not able to make it to the finish line of Rally Mexico. Consequently, the Polish team did not score any points in the manufacturers category of the third round of the World Rally Championship.
“We are devastated by the current situation with no single rally at which our car would be in perfect working order,” commented Michał Kościuszko. “I am sure the time has come for our team to make a radical decision, in consultation with the Sponsors, to change that.”

The best performer of Rally Mexico 2013 was Sébastien Ogier, who broke the six-year winning streak of Sébastien Loeb, as the latter missed out on the rally this time.
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Grupa LOTOS is the strategic partner of the LOTOS Rally Team. Michał Kościuszko is also supported by the LOTOS Dynamic fuel brand, LOTOS motor oil brand, and Red Bull. The media support is provided by RMF FM.
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Thanks to their unique formula, LOTOS Dynamic fuels help achieve full engine power and acceleration boost, markedly enhancing the dynamism, response times and performance of cars. In addition, some of their components significantly reduce engine friction, while protecting fuel tanks and installations against corrosion. In May 2009, LOTOS Paliwa was honoured with the “Europrodukt” award for the market launch of Dynamic fuels. A year before, the fuels were named Product of the Year at the 15th edition of the 2008 Service Station Trade Fairs, and the Top Pomerania Product in a survey organised by the editorial board of the Dziennik Bałtycki daily. In 2010, LOTOS Dynamic fuels once again won the prestigious Golden Consumer Laurel, followed in 2011 by the Customer Laurel Grand Prix. For detailed information on ultra-modern Dynamic fuels and special sale promotions, visit: http://www.lotosdynamic.pl/

Communication Office, Grupa LOTOS S.A., ul. Elbląska 135, 80-718 Gdańsk, Poland, tel. (+48) 58 308 87 31, (+48) 58 308 83 88, e-mail: media@grupalotos.pl