History 1960s

1962 Rajd Polski (Polish Rally)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1962 Rajd Polski (Polish Rally)

Date: August 2–6, 1962

Start/Finish Location: Kraków, Poland

Total Distance: Approximately 2,892 km (including 180 km of special stages across 18 tests)

Total Entries: 56 crews

Total Classified Finishers: 10 crews

The 22nd edition of the Rajd Polski served as Round 6 of the 1962 European Rally Championship. With its punishing length and technical stage layout through southern Poland, it stood out as one of the most grueling rallies of the year. A formidable mix of asphalt and gravel surfaces, unpredictable mountain weather, and a brutal attrition rate tested both driver precision and mechanical resilience to their limits.

Route

Special Stages: 18 tests totaling 180 km, primarily over narrow gravel and tarmac mountain roads.
Liaison Sections: Over 2,700 km of road transit tested fuel strategy and vehicle reliability.
Key Areas: Zakopane, Nowy Targ, and forested routes through the Lesser Poland Voivodeship.

The rally route wove through the scenic but demanding terrain of the Tatra Mountains and Podhale region, starting and finishing in Kraków. Competitors faced an exhausting combination of performance and endurance:

With a high-speed average over mixed terrain, drivers had to constantly adapt to shifting surfaces and elevation changes while remaining within tight time controls.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Eugen Böhringer & Peter Lang · Mercedes-Benz 220 SE
2nd Place
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3rd Place
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Böhringer’s composed pace and Lang’s meticulous navigation proved unstoppable over the demanding route. Their Mercedes-Benz outlasted a deeply competitive international field, capturing a commanding win despite harsh weather and a staggering attrition rate.

Navigation & Challenges

The rally’s reputation stemmed not only from its length, but from the sheer variety and difficulty of the obstacles crews had to overcome:

  • Surface Changes: Sudden transitions between asphalt, dirt, and loose gravel made tire selection and chassis setup crucial.
  • Mountain Weather: The Tatra climate brought rain, fog, and temperature shifts that affected grip and visibility.
  • Fatigue Factor: With over 2,700 km of liaison and narrow time windows, the rally demanded absolute mechanical reliability and mental stamina.
  • Mechanical Casualties: The high retirement rate highlighted the brutal toll on both man and machine — only 10 of 56 crews were classified by the finish.

The 1962 Rajd Polski offered a brutal, beautiful test of endurance and adaptability — a cornerstone of the European rally calendar that year, and a proving ground for rising talent and factory teams alike.

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