It’s not often an entirely new rally concept joins the World Rally Championship calendar. This weekend’s Central European Rally is not only a championship first, but this voyage into the unknown could conceivably decide the title race.
WRC events have crossed country borders before but the Central European Rally, which hosts the penultimate round of the season, takes this principle to another level. Crews will contest challenging asphalt stages in the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany, incorporating three nations into one event for the first time in WRC history.
It’s a novel idea for an event, and one that the FIA has already revealed will return in 2024 even before the inaugural edition has been run and won. It is expected to offer an all-new driving challenge for crews and teams, while taking the WRC to three countries that have had varying exposure to rallying’s top tier. Germany hosted a WRC round from 2002 to 2008 and returned from 2010 to 2019, while Austria hosted a round in the WRC’s inaugural season in 1973, but this weekend will mark the Czech Republic’s debut on the world stage.
At a time when the WRC is actively attempting to revamp its event formats in general to respond to criticism from drivers, teams and fans, the Central European Rally on paper seems to tick many boxes. It brings the rally to the people while offering a unique challenge that sets it apart from other rallies on the calendar. Perhaps this could provide a blueprint for other events in the future.
However, there is no hiding from the fact that this weekend’s 18-stage (310.01km) rally will present a significant logistical undertaking. It will feature the highest road section mileage of the season at a whopping 1,380.69km, meaning lengthy days for the crews and everyone associated.
The rally’s service park will be based out of the German city Passau, the birthplace of Sauber Formula 1 boss Andreas Seidl, which is located near to Austrian and Czech borders. The event will begin with crews completing a three and a half liaison section to Prague for the ceremonial start followed by two stages, before returning to Passau.
Source: Autosport