Central Europe Rally route streamlined

For its third consecutive appearance on the World Championship calendar, the Central European Rally (October 16-19) will modify its schedule. While Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic will still host special stages, organizers have attempted to limit the number of connecting stages.

Published 13/04/2025 à 08:25

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The CER 2025 route will return to familiar landscapes (Photo: Nikos Katikis/DPPI)

During the first two editions, there was a lot of criticism about the extended route proposed by the rally of Central Europe. Last year, the section on the connections alone represented more than 1100 km. Beyond the competitors' route itself, what made people in the caravan of the WRC, it was mainly the kilometers between Passau in Germany and Prague in the Czech Republic to hold the departure ceremony. The voice of reason prevailed and the third CER in history should be more coherent.

The other negative point raised last year was the location of the service park in the middle of nowhere because the site used in 2023 was not available. It will be this year, which will allow the event to benefit from greater proximity to the public. Although the location won't be very glamorous with warehouses and offices everywhere, it will be closer to the center of Passau, which will also have an impact on connections.

The principle of sharing the special stages between three countries is retained, but unlike in 2023 and 2024 there will be several border crossings in the same day with special stages in three different countries during a stage, which has never been done in the WRC.

The launch and shakedown will take place in Germany on Thursday before a first sector against the clock (Golf und Therme 1 and 2) repeated twice in the late afternoon. During Friday, the competitors will move from one country to another and they will have a displaced assistance station located in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic. Saturday will be even more extreme since the proposed plan only includes a visit to the Passau park in the evening to close the stage. During the stage, the crews are expected to complete 6 SS with only a tire change zone between the two loops in Klatovy. Finally, Sunday will focus on Germany and Austria with 4 timed sections, including the Mühltahl Power Stage.

First^e This round of the season should play an important role, as it will be the first on asphalt after a very long series of 7 events on gravel. The championship leader may find it the ideal terrain to definitively make a gap before Japan and Saudi Arabia.

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