The Central European Rally, corresponding to the penultimate round of the World Rally Championship, will take place on a different date than originally planned. This event, which passes through the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria, and made its championship debut last year, was originally scheduled from October 31 to November 3 as per the WRC 2024 calendar. However, rally organizers have confirmed plans to move the event to October 17-20, subject to the approval of the FIA and ADAC.
The asphalt rally will begin in the Czech Republic's capital, Prague, on October 17, before moving to Germany and Austria. The relocation of the service park is also part of the announced changes. "For organizational reasons, the CER will not be held on the originally scheduled All Saints' Day weekend," reads a statement from the rally. The Dreilanderhalle in Passau, which was used as the service park last year, was already booked for other events on the new dates, prompting the CER organizing team to look for an alternative location. They found what they were looking for in Bad Griesbach, where the service park will be set up on the site of one of the largest Bavarian fairs in the Karpfham district, where the ADAC 3-Städte-Rallye was based until 2017 as part of the German Rally Championship (DRM).
The organizers expressed their satisfaction at having found this solution for 2024 after "highly constructive discussions with politicians and fair organizers." They also thanked the city of Passau for its incredible support and look forward to including the City of Three Rivers as a rally destination once again for this year's event. They also extended their gratitude to the district of Passau and the city of Bad Griesbach, highlighting that the entire region is coming together in support of the rally.
Last year's Central European Rally, in its first edition, was won by Hyundai's Thierry Neuville. The event was also decisive for the WRC 2023 drivers' title, as Toyota's Kalle Rovanperä clinched his second consecutive world championship after team-mate Elfyn Evans spun out of contention.
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