One of the most traditional motor racing events in Slovakia is just around the corner. In just two weeks, the powerful engines of competing vehicles will roar in the eastern part of the country as they kick off the jubilee 50th Garrett RALLY KOŠICE. The competition, which has a rich history, has left a lasting impression on the hearts of fans and drivers with numerous stories. How do those who have won trophies in this competition remember it?
The birth of the Košice Rally competition dates back to the 1970s. Even then, spectators around the tracks witnessed thrilling sporting performances. One of the icons of the competition at that time was the local driver Ivan Pallag, who, together with navigator Eugen Jurkovič, climbed to the top step of the winners' podium three times. "I fondly remember the forest stages where the car's performance would disappear. I still vividly recall 1976 when we started with a raw engine and no test. The people from Bratislava thought we had no chance because they had more power, but we fought back thanks to the gearbox. At night, without my mechanics knowing it, I inserted different gears that were in line with homologization and it made a big difference. The rain then also helped us. We flew down Krásnohorské Podhradie with glowing brake discs, and people asked if we managed to smoke a cigarette during the ride because sparks were flying. We managed to beat everyone, even with less power," recalled the three-time winner of the competition.
In the early 1980s, the competition became part of the Czechoslovak Championship, attracted star names from across the country to the Košice. The very first winner of the championship race in 1982 was Pavel Valoušek, driving a Škoda 130 RS with co-driver Karel Jirátko. "Košice is my favorite region to which I love to return. Our era of motorsport was very favorable, so I remember it fondly. Competitions were run very differently back then compared to today; we raced also at night, there weren't as many technical restrictions, and thanks to that, we have many beautiful memories. Especially in Košice, it was not easy to race; the tracks were challenging. It also had its peculiarities that we were not used to in the Czech Republic races; it happened that stones were thrown at us by people, or we met a car going in the opposite direction on the track. This wasn't a very pleasant experience, but it was part of that era, and we accepted all that" Valoušek smiled as he reminisced.
With Jirátko in the co-driver's seat, another legendary Czech driver, Leo Pavlík, celebrated victory twice, bringing the beautiful Audi Quattro cars to Košice for the first time. "We always liked Košice, mainly because we raced fast here and managed to achieve good results. The competition was challenging, especially the slippery asphalt above Košice, which we had to be very careful about" admitted the six-time Czechoslovak champion. "When we started with Leo in Košice in 1986 in the Audi Quattro Group B, it was probably my greatest experience. The classic forest stage Herľany – Banské especially remains in my memory," added Jirátko.
In the 1990s, the Košice rally disappeared from the motorsport map for some time. After its return, Jozef Béreš Sr. later shone here, dominating the 1994 and 1995 editions. "I fondly remember 1994 when I raced as a professional driver in Styllex with Michal Koči. We won the title that year; those were good times. And my favorite stage was Herľany – Banské," Béreš smiled.
His winning streak in the Košice competition and at the Slovak championship was successfully continued by his son, Jozef Béreš Jr., during the first decade of the new millennium. He celebrated a total of three victories at the east with S2000 specification vehicles. "I first started in Košice in 2002 in a Seat Ibiza Kit Car. I still remember the battle with Martin Knajzl, with whom I fought for seconds. In the last SS, I made a spin and lost that battle. At first, race was a big unknown for me; I didn't recognize the tracks. My favorite stage is Herľany – Banské," confirmed Béreš Jr., echoing his father's words.
Among the three-time winners is another representative of the younger generation of Slovak drivers, Martin Koči, who celebrated three consecutive victories from 2017 to 2019 with a Škoda Fabia R5. "I have very fond memories of Rally Košice; it holds a special place in my heart because I am a proud Košice native and know the surrounding tracks very well. I used to watch the competition as a child, even when my father was racing. I vividly remember when he started with Enrico Bertone; I went to watch them at the start of the Herľany SS, which I think is also running this year. To have managed to win there three times is a great honor and a source of pride. This year we are starting with a specific car, so we might not have such high ambitions, but as they say – never say never. In any case, I am really looking forward to it," says the thirty-one-year-old driver, who is seen this year on the tracks behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III.
The 50th Garrett RALLY KOŠICE will once again be part of the Polish Championship, promising strong competition for the fans. When reminiscing about former winners, we must not forget our northern neighbors. In 2012, future European champion Kajetan Kajetanowicz secured his third Polish title in Košice thanks to his overall victory. "I have beautiful memories of Rally Košice because I won and celebrated my Polish championship titles here. I really liked the start and finish ramps in the historic city center and the special stages with mixed surfaces. The conditions were really challenging, especially when it rained," recalled the regular participant in the World Championship competitions.
The drivers from Poland have occupied the top positions in the results list in the post-COVID editions. The exception was the last year, where without the participation of the Polish Championship Róbert Kolčák won. However, this year, the international crews will be back. Will any previous winner add the victory to their collection, or will a completely new name be added to the history of the Košice Rally? We will find out during the weekend of July 12-14.
The next news service within the 50th Garrett RALLY KOŠICE 2024 will be brought in the following press releases. They will be gradually published on the official website www.kosice.rallye.sk and on the Facebook profile. Information about the Košice rally can also be found in the mobile application “Sportity,” password RallyKosice2024.
Note: The press release utilized memories of drivers from published materials by Auto Klub Košice.
In Košice, June 30, 2024
Vojtěch GARGULÁK, Press Center