Central European Rally remains on next year’s WRC calendar

• FIA releases the schedule for the 2024 World Rally Championship
• Central European Rallye forms part of the pinnacle of rallying again in 2024
• CER dates: 31st October to 3rd November

With one month of the current season remaining, the FIA has already announced its calendar for the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC), giving the organisers of the Central European Rally cause for celebration: the WRC rally in the heart of Central Europe has been included in next year’s world championship. This means fans can already look forward to another meeting of the world’s elite rally stars, even before the coming premiere of the new motorsport highlight in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. The 2024 Central European Rally will take place two weeks later than this year, from 31st October to 3rd November.

Those responsible for the new event see the fact that the FIA has confirmed the Central European Rally as part of the 2024 calendar at such an early point as a great compliment. “We are pleased that the representatives of the WRC and FIA have placed such a clear level of trust in us in this manner,” says ADAC Sport President Dr. Gerd Ennser, representing the German organisers of the Central European Rally. “We also see this gesture as confirmation of our efforts to cooperate closely and with great mutual respect with all involved.” That not only goes for the external relationship with those responsible for the series and the sport’s international ruling body. Jan Stovicek, President of the AČR (Autoklub České republiky): “With this project, we are demonstrating the strength and vitality of a cooperation across borders. I am proud, particularly in this day and age, that we are able to send out a signal of this kind to showcase the benefits of international cooperation and friendship.” The teams and fans currently travelling to this year’s rally will soon be able to experience these benefits for themselves. Dr. Harald Hertz, President of the AMF (Austrian Motorsport Federation) and Vice President of the ÖAMTC (Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club), is keen to stress that “we have put together some great special stages in all three countries, which are worthy of the pinnacle of rallying. We are looking forward to a premiere on the narrow and selective asphalt routes through such beautiful regions in our home countries. Together with all the associations behind the organisation of the rally, I am looking forward to this magnificent backdrop to the best rallying in the world.”

2024 dates include “silent day”
The powers that be at the WRC have scheduled the second staging of the Central European Rally for the weekend of 31st October to 3rd November. This presents the organisers with a big challenge, as 1st November (All Saints’ Day) is a so-called “silent” day in both Germany and Austria, meaning public life is subject to certain restrictions. As such, the list of tasks for next year already has its first item, even before the inaugural rally gets underway. This is sure to be joined by more tasks during the event, as experience gained at the 2023 WRC rally will naturally be incorporated immediately in the planning process for the coming year.