Poland is preparing to tackle the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games in three disciplines, with five drivers travelling to Rome as part of its delegation for 2019.
Introducing his squad ahead of the event, Michał Sikora, the President of Poland's Automobile & Motorcycle Federation, said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in the first ever FIA Motorsport Games. It is a unique chance for the drivers from different categories to form a national team and to race for their country.
"From Poland we have representatives who will compete in the GT Cup, the Karting Slalom Cup and the Digital Cup," he continued. "We hope that this initiative will grow bigger in the coming years and so will our delegation. We are confident that the Olympic emotions which accompany this type of events will promote motorsport and our athletes among the wider public.”
In the GT Cup, Poland's hopes will rest upon Andrzej Lewandowski and Artur Janosz, who will tackle the FIA Motorsport Games using a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 prepared by Vincenzo Sospiri Racing. Both Polish drivers have winning pedigree at the wheel of Lamborghini machinery and will hope to translate that know-how into medal success at Vallelunga Circuit, which will stage the event's on-track activities.
"I am very happy that for the first time in my career I can represent my country at the FIA Motorsport Games," said Janosz. "It will be a new adventure for me and I can not wait to drive the Lamborghini Huragan GT3. Like in every GT3 series the drivers' level will be very high, which makes it even more exciting to drive and to watch."
His teammate Lewandowski added: "I am very happy that at the end of the season we will have a chance to drive in such as big event as FIA Motorsport Games. I have made many races this year but I can not wait to do this one."
In the Karting Slalom Cup, the Polish flag will be flown by teenage competitors Sara Kałuzińska and Krzysztof Gardziel.
"The FIA Motorsport Games is something special for me, because I am pleased to represent Poland for the first time," commented Kałuzińska, who has previously be a part of the Girls on Track Karting Challenge, a competition created by the FIA to promote and develop young female talent in racing. "I do not know what to expect at these competitions but I am a good hunter and I hope for a good result. I will do my best."
Her teammate, 15-year-old Gardziel, has already accumulated significant karting experience and won multiple regional championships in Poland. Together, they will chase the gold medal as part of a 29-strong Karting Slalom Cup entry list.
Finally, Marcin Świderek will represent Poland in the Digital Cup. Though he only started playing Gran Turismo in April 2018, the Polish contender's rapid rise through the ranks suggests that he could be a dark horses at the tournament.
“The Digital Cup is a huge milestone for sim racing, because it is the first time that e-sports has been recognised as an equal category alongside real racing at a motorsport event," said Świderek. "I feel proud to represent my country and I am sure I have the ability to perform as I successfully compete with all these top players on a daily basis. In the past months I have learned a lot from my mistakes and I strongly believe that this is the event where my experience will pay out.”
The inaugural FIA Motorsport Games launches on Thursday (31 October) with the event's opening ceremony. On-track activity begins on Friday and will culminate on Sunday, after which the winners will be celebrated and the highest-scoring National Sporting Authority will receive the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games trophy.