Two challenging stages, a total of 9 special stages on five tough stages, the classic Herľany stage, a semi-circuit stage named Optima near the competition center and service park, and a Friday autograph session with the top crews. All of this will be offered in the hot summer by the anniversary 50th edition of RALLY KOŠICE 2024, which will take place this weekend from July 12 to 14. The total length of the Košice Rally is 475.30 km, with the special stages covering 124.40 km, which is 26.17 % of the total race length. Motorsport fans can look forward to many top-notch crews.
The competing crews will face two challenging stages. On Saturday, July 13, the crews will complete on the 1st stage – a 195.50 km long course, with 5 special stages covering 60.80 km. The competition itinerary includes the special stages Izra (9.40 km) and Bogota (18.70 km), which will be driven twice. On the Bogota stage, in the section of the forest service road, there is a prohibition on spectator entry in three designated areas due to nature protection and a strict ban on lighting fires by people.
The end of the Saturday will be marked by the spectator-friendly semi-circuit stage named Optima (4.60 km). "Visiting this spectator-friendly stage 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 by the Cassovia shopping center parking lots, or by the NAY shop parking lots" said Peter Szczeczina, director of Garrett RALLY KOŠICE. The length of one circuit is 1.6 km, and the competition vehicles will complete 2.5 circuits here.
For Sunday, July 14, the 2nd stage is prepared – a course length of 279.80 km, with 4 special stages covering 63.60 km. The crews will run the special stages named Herľany (13.10 km) and Regeta (18.70 km) twice each. The latter section uses a substantial part of the Bogota stage but is run in the opposite direction. There is also a prohibition of spectator access in four designated areas due to nature protection. "The Herľany special stage needs no introduction. It is a characteristic stage for the Košice Rally, and a significant part of it has undergone a surface change," Szczeczina said.
The prelude to the rally will be the shakedown stage Zlatník (2.20 km) on Saturday morning. "This short section has a high racing 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 is near the former recreational center. The service park will be located in the parking area in front of Penzión Sivec," explained director Szczeczina.
Organizers strongly remind spectators 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.
In the printed program, fans of the Košice Rally will find a detailed description of the special stages, including maps. The organizers from Auto Klub Košice have prepared a total of 19 spectator areas on the special stage routes. Their detailed descriptions, including instructions for spectators (parking, access to the special stages, refreshments, etc.), can be found on the competition's website kosice.rallye.sk . Already now, clear maps of individual stages, shakedown, and all special stages are available in the spectator section on the competition website kosice.rallye.sk .
As mentioned earlier, motorsport fans can look forward not only to numerous top crews but also to the popular autograph session. This will take place just before the ceremonial start on Friday, July 12, on Hlavná Street in Košice. Starting at 6 PM, crews from the top of the starting field, including the main favorites, will be giving autographs.
Further news coverage of the 50th Garrett RALLY KOŠICE 2024 will be provided in the upcoming 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," with the password RallyKosice2024.
In Košice, July 8, 2024 --Roman ORDELT, Press Secretary