Senior Staff Sergeant Marcin Łukawski, a trainer at the Warsaw VI District Police Headquarters (KRP Warszawa VI), proved that classic Polish automotive constructions are capable of withstanding extreme routes. Along with his family and friends, he took part in the "Złombol" charity rally, covering the distance from Poland to Morocco in an old Polonez. The expedition, which began on June 27, 2026, in Chorzów, covered a total of over 6,000 kilometers, including 3,200 km in the rally itself to Africa.
The Expedition to Morocco
The idea of participating in the rally was born in the autumn of 2025 during a meeting with friends who shared his passion for travel and motorsport. "Złombol" is the largest charity car rally in Poland and the world, in which participants drive vehicles from the former Eastern Bloc. The main goal of the event is not competition, but raising funds for charitable causes, particularly for children in orphanages. For this reason, no prizes or laurels are provided at the finish line; participants are met only by the satisfaction of completing the task.
To prepare for the expedition, Łukawski bought a 1997 Fiat Polonez Caro Plus 1.6 GLI from a collector. The car had a power output of 77 hp and a mileage of 31,000 kilometers. The vehicle had stood under a shelter for over a decade, but after connecting the battery, it turned out to be operational. It arrived at the trainer's garage in December 2025, which allowed for the calm completion of necessary service work and the gathering of a stock of spare parts.
The rally crew consisted of four families, a total of 11 people traveling in four identical car models. The uniformity of the fleet was intended to facilitate potential repairs and parts exchange. In Łukawski's Polonez, he was accompanied by his wife Anna and daughter Zuzanna. The wife's role involved taking turns at the wheel, while the daughter handled the organization of formalities, including accommodation reservations.
The route led through the Czech Republic, Germany, France, and Spain. On the Spanish section, the crew reached the port of Almería, from where they transferred to Africa by ferry, landing in Nador, Morocco. The final section to the finish line in Ras El Ma was only 60 kilometers long. During the rally, temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius, and the cars, lacking air conditioning, were put to a serious test. Despite this, the vehicles performed well, covering an average of 700–900 kilometers per day. In Morocco, the Polonez's engine experienced "moments of doubt" and stalled, which was likely due to the impact of extremely high temperatures.
After reaching the finish line, the crew did not immediately return to their home country. They stayed for a few days in Meknes and Asilah, and then sailed by ferry from Tangier to Genoa. The return to Poland was via Italy, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Łukawski arrived in Warsaw on July 12, 2026, closing the journey with an odometer reading of over 6,000 kilometers.
Service and Passion for Motorsport
Marcin Łukawski has served in the Police since 2004, following a successful recruitment process in 2003. For 17 years, he was a district officer (beat cop) in the Targówek district of Warsaw, where he gained experience in social work and mediation. Currently, he serves as a trainer in the Criminal Division of KRP Warszawa VI, focusing among other things on shooting training, pre-medical first aid, and Taser usage training.
His passion for motorsport has been with him since childhood, linked to his family environment – his grandfather was a retired military officer, and his father worked in a military factory. Łukawski recalls that as a child, he often spent time with relatives in the garage, where vehicles were repaired. He restored his first motorcycle, a Romet, together with his father during primary school. He passed his Category A and B driving licenses 30 years ago, and the first car he acquired was a Polish Fiat 126p.
In his private collection, he currently owns, among other things, a 1984 Fiat 126p, which he has had in his garage for 15 years, and a 1999 Mercedes SL 500. He also collects motorcycles, including a 1966 WSK 125, a 1974 MZ TS 250, and a 1987 Yamaha Virago 1000. After returning from Morocco, Łukawski undertook a further motorcycle journey to Italy, covering 3,500 km and visiting, among other places, the Passo Stelvio pass.
Workshop work on vehicles is carried out in his parents' home garage, which provides heating and access to a service pit. Besides motorsport, the trainer is interested in aquariculture and owns three aquariums, the largest of which has a capacity of 630 liters.