Iconic "Little Fiats" to drive from Poland to Monte Carlo to raise money for kids injured in accidents

Last year, 12 iconic "Little Fiats" 126p traveled from Bielsko-Biała in Poland to Turin in Italy, where the popular car had been designed. The rally was organized by a group of fans of the legendary vehicle - who go by the name 126Hooligans - in order to mark the 50th anniversary of the production launch of the car that had expedited Poland's motorization.

The car became a people's car and a cultural icon in Poland, earning the nickname "Maluch" meaning "The Little One" or "Toddler", a name that eventually became official in 1997, when "Maluch" started appearing, badged on the rear of the car.

The success of Maluch Grand Expedition (Wielka Wyprawa Maluchów) - as the event was named - has convinced the car's fans to organize the trip again in 2023. As a result, in the next 8 days, more than 100 people will drive "Little Fiats" from Bielsko Biała to Monte Carlo, Monaco. They will cover a distance of 4,000 kilometers and visit 7 countries on their way.

"The world belongs to the brave, to those who break barriers, and if you do it in a noble cause, then only the imagination is the limit," said Poland's rally driver Rafał Sonik, who had won 9 World Cups and 14 World Cup medals, and the Dakar Rally in 2015.

Among other drivers in this year's edition there are also other icons of Polish motorsports, including Sobiesław Zasada, Longin Bielak, Rafał Sonik, Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Bartosz Ostałowski.

Bartosz Ostałowski is the world's only professional rally driver who drives the car with... his foot. He lost both hands in a traffic accident in 2006. Due to his disability, Ostałowski will drive a specially-prepared "Maluch" with automatic transmission. As it turned out, it will be the world's first such vehicle.

Maluch Grand Expedition's aim is to stress the importance of road safety, educate younger generations in conscious participation in road traffic as well as help children injured in road accidents, who require support and care.

"Because we are going to Monte Carlo, which is associated with casinos, we will try to collect 1 million zlotys to help children. We are going to Monte Carlo for a million for kids," Sonik said.

Anyone can support the fundraiser here: zrzutka.pl/wielkawyprawamaluchow.

Sonik also reassured the expedition was financed by many sponsors and so all funds raised from donors would be spent on rehabilitation and psychological support for road accident child victims.

"We have left our kids at home with their grandparents, so we could help other children. And this is the main goal. I hope we will have fun while we're at it. I'm an ambassador of many safety-related initiatives, but not that many related to children, and so we're happy with Aneta (wife - edit.) we can take part," said Kajetan Kajetanowicz, Polish multiple World Cup silver medallist, triple champion of Europe, and four-time champion of Poland.

I have just returned from the Safari Rally and it really wasn't easy. There was a lot of dust and we would race at very high altitudes. We managed to win, but who knows if this rally isn't going to be an even bigger challenge," Kajetanowicz added.