During the special stages of the 50th Garrett Rally Košice, spectators should follow these basic safety rules:
Choose a place to watch the special stage according to the organizer's recommendations, specifically in designated spectator areas.
Arrive at the viewing spot at least 90 minutes before the scheduled start of the first competition vehicle.
Park motor vehicles in THE designated areas to avoid obstructing the passage of other vehicles and to prevent environmental damage.
Follow the instructions of the marshals and occupy safe spots beside the special stage route.
Do not move during the special stage and remain in place until the safety vehicle with a checkered flag has passed.
Do not litter the viewing area; take any trash with you.
Do not damage nature in any way and respect that parts of the Bogota and Regeta special stages, from Regeta to the turnoff to the Dargov Heroes Memorial, are closed to spectators due to nature protection.
Spectators are strongly reminded of the absolute ban on lighting fires on all special stages. If this ban is found to be violated, crews will be ordered to pass the special stage freely due to the risk of forest fires.
Shakedown – RS Zlatník
The shakedown is a short special stage but has a high sporting level due to the number of curves with varying radii. The purpose-built road was not designed for regular use, so the curves are as nature arranged them. The start of the special stage is near the former recreational center Zlatník, and the finish is 1000 meters before the purpose-built forest road exits onto the main road before the village of Opátka. The service park for the shakedown will be held in the parking lot in front of Penzión Sivec.
RS Izra
The start of the special stage is on the purpose-built forest road above the village of Slanec, heading towards Lake Izra. The entire special stage will take place on high-quality asphalt. After crossing the finish line, the crews will descend to the village of Kalša on lower-quality, potholed asphalt. After the start, the route continues along the contour line with a series of sweeping fast curves interspersed with tight turns. It is essential to maintain a steady driving pace while passing through this special stage.
Spectator Area 1: Start of the special stage above the village of Slanec.
Arrival before the closing vehicle.
Parking is available in the parking lot before the entrance to the purpose-built forest road.
Please respect the no-standing traffic sign on the main road II/552 before the entrance to the purpose-built forest road.
Spectator Area 2: Sweeping left-hand curve with safe spectator spots on the slope.
Arrival from the village of Slanská Huta, through the area of the former agricultural company, and then via the purpose-built road.
Parking is available on the purpose-built road.
RS Bogota
The special stage Bogota starts in the middle of the village of Slančík, heading towards the Regeta. After the start, the crews will encounter a chicane at the bus turnaround. The route continues on "bumpy" asphalt with crests up to a distance of 1.10 km, where the second chicane will be located. Both chicanes are not typical ones for penalizing for violations but simple barriers across the road. At 1.45 km from the start, the crews will make a sharp right turn towards Regeta. From the turn at Regeta, the entire special stage continues on a purpose-built forest road, on h 3.35 km mark, where a large igh-quality asphalt in certain sections, and on pothole-ridden asphalt in others. From Regeta, the crews will navigate a series of curves to the meadow will be used for a delta to slow down. The crews will then continue climbing on new asphalt with numerous curves of varying radii until they reach the junction with the turnoff to the radar station. At this point, there is a safety point. The route continues along the contour line and then descends on bumpy asphalt with many "heart-stopping" curves. At the 13.00 km mark at the road junction, the crews will turn left onto new asphalt and continue a fast descent with several sharp turns and a chicane to the 17.45 km mark, where there is a sharp right turn in the delta and after 1.25 km is the finish of the special stage before the village of Svinica. On the RS in the section of the purpose-built forest road, apart from the specified spectator areas, there is a ban on spectator access and a strict ban on lighting fires.
Spectator Area 3: Start in the middle of the village of Slančík and a chicane at the bus turnaround 100 m after the start.Access is possible by foot. Parking is available in the village of Slančík on side village roads.
Spectator Area 4: At 1.45 km from the start, a sharp turn from the village road to the purpose-built forest road at Regeta. 350 m before the turn is a nice crest and a chicane. Access and parking on the village road from Ruskov to Regeta, ensure one lane remains free for emergency vehicles.
Spectator Area 5: At the 12.95 km mark from the start of the RS, a sharp left turn followed by fast curves in the descent. Access via the purpose-built road from the Dargov Heroes Memorial. Parking is available at the memorial parking lot (refreshments available) and a 1.10 km walk, or directly on the meadow at the right turn.
RS Optima
The special stage Optima is characterized as a semi-circuit special stage. Its start is on Pri Prachárni Street, from where it continues towards the Košice city bypass. Through a right-hand turn, the crews reach the bypass, which they follow for 180 meters before turning right onto the parking lots in front of the Optima shopping center. The special stage route uses parking spaces and the roundabout in front of the furniture store, and then through a left-hand turn, with an artificial ramp over the curb to the right, it continues onto a concrete road. After 200 meters, this brings them back to the start of this semi-circuit special stage. The length of one lap is 1600 meters. After completing 2.5 laps, the crews will not turn onto the concrete road but will continue on the road behind the Optima shopping center to the roundabout behind this center. At the roundabout, they turn right, and after 180 meters, they reach the intersection behind the OBI department store, where they turn right towards the Košice Football Arena and towards the finish of the RS. Visiting the RS Optima can be combined with a tour of the service park, which will be located in the parking areas around the Košice Football Arena on Pri Prachárni Street. Parking is available in the parking lots at the Cassovia shopping center.
Spectator Area 6: At the start of the special stage on the slope on the left side of the road. A nice view of the exit from the concrete road and descent onto the city bypass road. Parking is available in the parking lots in front of the Cassovia shopping center and the NAY store. The spot should be occupied before 19:00.
Spectator Area 7: Exit from the Košice city bypass onto the parking lot in front of the Optima shopping center. After the exit, the parking spaces and the roundabout will be used. Ideal and safe spectator spots on the elevated slope above the roundabout with a view of the entire parking lot. Refreshments available in the shopping center.
Parking is available in the Optima shopping center parking lot.
Spectator Area 8: Roundabout behind the Optima shopping center. Sharp braking from high speed.
Parking is available in the parking lot in front of the Optima shopping center.
Spectator Area 9: Right turn at the intersection behind the OBI department store.
Parking is available in the parking lot in front of the OBI and Hornbach stores.
Spectator Area 10: Finish of the semi-circuit special stage in front of the Cassosport sports hall.
Parking is available in the parking lots in front of the Cassovia shopping center.
RS Herľany
This special stage needs no introduction. It is a characteristic stage of the Košice Rally, and a significant part of it has undergone a surface change. The start is in the middle of the village of Rankovce on a slight incline. Through a fast section over a crest and descending, the route reaches the village of Herľany. At the beginning of the village, the crews turn left into a parking lot, which slows them down upon entering the village. After exiting the parking lot, a left turn followed by a right turn takes the crews to the well-known "delta" at the end of the village Herľany. In the delta, they turn left and continue towards the village of Banské. After leaving Herľany, through a left and then a right turn, they reach the longest straight stage of the entire rally. Approximately in the middle of the straight section is a chicane. At the end of the straight section is a difficult left turn, followed by a series of curves in quick succession until the 5.40 km mark to the well-known bridge. After the bridge, a series of switchbacks in the ascent lead up to the Herlianske saddle. This is the highest point of this RS, and the route will descend through numerous curves in quick succession until the last difficult turn before the village of Banské. At the beginning of the village is the finish of this SS.
Spectator Area 11: Start in the village of Rankovce. Arrival before the closing vehicle. Parking on village streets in Rankovce.
Spectator Area 12: Passage through the parking lot at the beginning of the village of Herľany. Arrival before the closing vehicle by 12:00. Parking on side streets in the village of Herľany.
Spectator Area 13: Delta at the end of the village of Herľany. Arrival from the village of Bidovce. Parking is possible on the shoulder of the road from the turnoff to the village of Vyšná Kamenica exclusively on the right side of the road. One lane must remain passable as an emergency lane.
Spectator Area 14: Bridge at 5.40 km from the start and subsequent switchbacks in the ascent. Limited parking on the side forest road, arrival possible before the closing vehicle by 12:00.
Spectator Area 15: Turn before the village of Banské. Open, clear terrain with the possibility of watching the approach and departure of vehicles to the finish of the RS.
Parking on side village roads in the village of Banské. Arrival from Vranov nad Topľou.
RS Regeta
The start of the SS is on the purpose-built forest road behind the village of Svinica. Except for the last 1.50 km, the entire RS will take place on the purpose-built asphalt forest road. Immediately after the start, there is a section with several difficult curves. At 1.20 km from the start, there is a delta to slow down, where the crews will turn left and climb a fast section with several curves of varying radii. At 3.75 km from the start, there will be a chicane. After passing 5.75 km from the start, the crews will reach the junction with the road from the Dargov Heroes Memorial. At the junction, they will turn right and begin a long climb to the turnoff to the radar station. This section is characterized by numerous curves of various types. The turnoff to the radar station is the highest point of this SS and will also be a safety point. Next is a descent all the way to Regeta. This section features long sweeping curves as well as several switchbacks. At Veľká lúka, there is a chicane to slow down in the delta. Upon arrival at Regeta, the crews will turn right and continue on the village road in a gentle descent through a fast "bumpy" section with several crests to the finish of the RS at the beginning of the village of Ruskov.
Spectator Area 16: Start at the end of the village of Svinica. Access is only possible on foot for 1.70 km from the end of the village. Parking is available in the village of Svinica on side village roads.
Spectator Area 17: At the 5.75 km mark from the start of the SS, a sharp right turn followed by fast curves in the climb. Access via the purpose-built road from the Dargov Heroes Memorial. Parking at the memorial parking lot (refreshments available) and a 1.10 km walk or directly on the meadow at the right turn.
Spectator Area 18: Sharp right turn at Regeta. Access from the village of Slančík via the village road. Parking on the right side of the road in the direction from the village of Slančík.
Spectator Area 19: Finish of the SS on Slančícka Street at the end of the village of Ruskov. Before the finish in the direction from Regeta, a steep descent with crests and fast curves on the bumpy road. Parking on village roads in the village of Ruskov, and then a walk.
Prepared by: Peter Szczeczina