Brand-new for 2023, the 26 – 29 October fixture marks the first time that a WRC round has included stages across three countries: Germany, Austria and Czech Republic. Notably, Czech Republic – a country known for its passionate rally fans – makes its debut appearance at world-level this week.
And, although the event includes some sections previously used on the 3-Städte-Rally, the asphalt-only route is practically all new for the WRC stars running at the head of the field. Pace notes, which the crews will make over the coming days during recce, must be ultra-precise.
Based out of Passau in southern Germany, the rally journeys north to Czech capital Prague on Thursday afternoon for the ceremonial start, quickly followed by the Velká Chuchle (2.55km) opener at the Chuchle Arena racecourse. As darkness descends, crews tackle the 8.92-kilometre Klatovy blast on their way back to the overnight halt in Passau.
After an early start on Friday, it’s back out to the Czech Republic for six tricky tests amounting to a gruelling 121.80km against the clock.
There will be no mid-leg service. Instead, double runs of Vlachovo Březí (13.66km), Zvotoky (23.81km) and Šumavské Hoštice (23.43km) are punctuated by a single tyre fitting zone in Prachatice, Southern Bohemia.
Saturday begins with two stages in Austria, Schärdinger Innviertel (15.72km) and Mühltal – which is the rally’s longest at 27.15km in length.
A quick hop across the border to the Knaus Tabbert Bayerischer Wald (11.88km) blast in Germany precedes a service halt in Passau before the loop is repeated again. With the second running of Knaus Tabbert Bayerischer due to kick off at 1808hrs (local), light pods will be required.
Sunday’s finale boasts two stages, each traversed twice, across two countries. Böhmerwald (17.25km) in Austria is first up before Passauer Land (16.37km) in Germany, the second pass of which forms the bonus points-paying Wolf Power Stage.
Podium celebrations take place in Central Passau where the inaugural Central European Rally winners – and, potentially, the 2023 WRC champion driver and co-driver – will be crowned.
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