History Event 1960s

1963 Rally Poland

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1963 Rajd Polski (23rd International Polish Rally)

Date: July 31 – August 4, 1963

Start/Finish Location: Zakopane, Poland

Total Entries: 57 crews

Total Classified Finishers: 23 crews

Round 7 of the 1963 European Rally Championship, the 1963 Rajd Polski challenged competitors with a demanding 3,027 km route through the High Tatras and southern Poland. Blending liaison distance with timed stages on both asphalt and gravel, it tested endurance, navigation, and mechanical reliability under the unpredictability of mountain weather systems. Known for its exacting pace and scenic but punishing terrain, this rally became a defining fixture in Eastern European motorsport.

Route

Mountain Roads: Narrow, winding tracks with sharp ascents and descents near the High Tatras.
Mixed Surfaces: Gravel, broken tarmac, and smooth asphalt demanded constant driving adaptation.
Liaison Navigation: Long sections required co-drivers to maintain flawless timing between stages under local road conditions.

Crews tackled 18 special stages totaling 177.5 km, with an additional 2,849.5 km of transit across a variety of terrain near Zakopane and the Polish-Slovak borderlands.

The route’s technical complexity and elevation changes made even the liaisons a test of discipline, with time penalties common for missteps.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Dieter Glemser & Martin Braungart · Mercedes-Benz 220 SE
2nd Place
Sobiesław Zasada & Ewa Zasada · Porsche 356
3rd Place
Ewy Rosqvist & Ursula Wirth · Mercedes-Benz 220 SE

Glemser and Braungart’s disciplined performance in the Mercedes secured a commanding win. Zasada’s local knowledge and Rosqvist’s consistency demonstrated the diversity of skill and strategy needed to survive the Rajd Polski’s brutal pace.

Car Highlights

  • Mercedes-Benz 220 SE: Renowned for its endurance rally pedigree, with a robust inline-six, reinforced suspension, and dependable braking under mixed conditions.
  • Porsche 356: Lightweight and rear-engined, offering great balance and agility, especially effective on narrow tarmac roads and steep descents.
  • Saab 96: Two-stroke front-wheel-drive setup gave it a notable advantage on loose gravel and in tight technical corners.

Vehicle reliability and drivetrain configuration played a pivotal role, especially as stages alternated between dry dust and slick, rain-soaked clay.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Surface Changes: Rapid transitions between gravel and asphalt required adaptable suspension and real-time driver awareness.
  • Mountain Weather: Fog, thunderstorms, and sudden downpours reshaped traction and visibility within minutes.
  • Endurance Factor: With over 3,000 km of competition and few major service halts, attrition remained high among underprepared teams.

The 1963 Rajd Polski stood as one of the toughest tests on the ERC calendar, a punishing yet beautiful rally where discipline, mechanical stamina, and navigation excellence separated finishers from failures.

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