April 8, 2022 - Croatia Rally 2022 returns from April 21 to 24 this year with 66 crews from 26 countries and some 350,000 spectators expected.

Croatia Rally returns in precisely two weeks and will be stronger than ever. New speeds, new counties, new crews, and most importantly - even more content for viewers. The leading man of the Croatian rally, Daniel Šaškin, revealed all the details for Gol.hr. 

"There will be teams from all over the world. Professional teams are coming, VIP zone, trade, food & drink, and, of course, the biggest fan zone. It will be the biggest circus in Croatia this year; there will be something for everyone," said the Croatia Rally organizing committee president.

"There will be food, concerts, socializing with drivers, a whole range of activities. A total of 66 crews from 26 countries are arriving.

All of them, as well as a large audience, will have to sleep somewhere. Last year during the WRC, there were 4,600 arrivals and over 15,000 overnight stays, which is an increase of about 60 percent compared to other days in April.

We have rented all the hotels in Zagreb and the surrounding counties. Knowing the market, hotels would not be at this level of occupancy without the WRC," said travel agency head Dalibor Bilić.

And finally, one interesting thing - the rally will also measure its carbon footprint - that is, the amount of CO2 consumed during the rally.

"For the race in Finland, the carbon footprint was calculated as about 4,000 tons of CO2. We expect more; if we put it in some spatial dimensions, we could fill the Zagreb Arena with that amount."

Speaking of Arena Zagreb and its capacity, the Croatia Rally expects it could fill Arena Zagreb 16 times with the number of spectators, as about 350,000 spectators should watch the Croatia Rally live this year. 

You can check out the schedule, stages, and ticket information on the Croatia Rally 2022 guide HERE. 

To read more about sports in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

February 26, 2022 - The popular international rally racing event returns to the Zagreb area from April 21 to 24 this year. The Croatia Rally organizers expect 350,000 spectators during the race.

Daniel Šaškin, President of the Croatia Rally Organizing Committee, which will be held from April 21 to 24, and which is on the World Championship calendar for the second time this year, announced at a press conference on Friday that 350,000 spectators are expected during the April race, reports HRT.

The Swedish Rally is currently underway, ending on Sunday, and the next race will take place in Croatia.

Given that this year is not like last year, in which the pandemic significantly limited travel, competitions, and gatherings, the organizers hope that the number of registered crews will be around 100. A special feature of this year's competition will be the organized arrival of the audience.

In addition to free viewing along the tracks of speed tests, as is customary, the organizers this time invite viewers to specially designed Fan Zones, where they expect a complete entertainment and catering offer.

"We are thrilled and proud that with the support and help of the Croatian Government, the City of Zagreb, counties, sponsors, and all other partners, we are bringing this spectacle to Croatia again. This is one of the greatest victories and recognitions for Croatian motorsport ever. Getting the WRC is a huge success in itself, and keeping it and signing a three-year contract is proof that we know the 'job' and that last year's edition of the Croatia Rally was organized at a very high level. It is a very demanding organization of events that will take place in front of the audience for the first time. We expect a staggering number of about 350,000 spectators, so we invite visitors to take care of the environment and reduce traffic jams, to group in cars and come to locations together," said Šaškin.

"This year, we are preparing numerous surprises and rich content for fans of octane excitement, both along the track and in the Fan Zones. Tickets for the Platak Fan Zone are already on pre-sale. Fan zones provide a full experience because, besides watching the most attractive passages of the world's rally stars, they offer visitors food and all-day entertainment. The largest Fan Zone will be located at the Zagreb Fair and will be the first to start operating on Tuesday, April 19. There, visitors will be able to see the service areas of top competitors, buy Croatia Rally souvenirs, top teams, and the WRC, try their skills on one of the simulators, enjoy the catering offer and performances of famous rock performers," announced Šaškin.

The Faculty of Transport Sciences will also provide logistical support to the organizers.

"As this is a logistically and organizationally extremely demanding sporting event, we are very pleased, but also an opportunity and a challenge for our experts that we are partners of the WRC Croatia Rally for the second year in a row. The Faculty of Transport Sciences will provide professional assistance in traffic regulation planning activities and logistical support for the WRC Croatia Rally, and by setting up a safe driving simulator in the Drivers' Park at the Fair, we will raise awareness of the importance of responsible traffic behavior," said Dean Tomislav Josip Mlinarić.

President of the Croatian Auto and Karting Association, Davorin Štetner, emphasized the economic importance of the Croatia Rally.

"The WRC Croatia Rally is extremely economically important to Croatia. This is one of the largest sports competitions in the history of our country, and we expect to fill almost all accommodation capacities with guests of high spending power. With such events, we are taking the steps we need, and the international promotion that Croatia is receiving is measured in millions of euros. At the same time, we are popularizing motorsports, and we expect positive effects and attracting new people to our sport. The first year went great, but now we have yet to confirm the great grades. I am proud to point out that this race is also a Croatian product because Croatian sports workers and enthusiasts are responsible for almost the entire organization," said Štetner.

The race was also supported by the City of Zagreb and the Government of the Republic of Croatia, which co-finance the costs of organizing the competition.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

October 23, 2021 - The 2021 Croatia Rally, the first-ever in the country, was watched by more than 100 million people in more than 150 countries. Organizer Danijel Šaškin reveals the fate of the international racing event and what needs to happen to fo it to continue. 

At this year's Sports Fest, one of the most exciting presentations was that of motorist Danijel Šaškin who, together with Davorin Štetner, brought the World Rally Championship race to Croatia. He addressed the observers with fascinating figures that the Croatia Rally was watched by more than 100 million people in more than 150 countries. Furthermore, estimates of how much consumption was related to this elite car competition, which was held in Croatia for the first time, are also impressive, reports Vecernji List.

"We are talking about 15 million euros, and we could not count on the spectators because, due to the pandemic, we were not allowed to have them. But according to police data, there were about 150,000 of them in the speed tests. We believe that in a typical year we can have half a million of them, and then the profit for the state would be about 50 million euros. The state would sell 12 to 15 million euros from the VAT alone for an event that lasts four days.

I was surprised that we are record-holders on social networks, that we had millions of impressions, that the follow-up of our Facebook channel and WRC was terrific. I was also surprised by so much media value. The most conservative estimate was about 50 million euros, and the strongest, with reruns, almost 200 million euros. And the Croatian National Tourist Board has not spent so much on the promotion of our tourism in ten years," Šaškin explains of the great coverage. 

"Croatia is new in this story, and in the last few years, we have imposed ourselves as a new tourist destination. It seems that we are currently the 18th destination in the world by profession, and I believe we can enter the top 10. The next reason for the great follow-up was that Finnish driver Rovanpera, the youngest driver in history to lead in this competition, crashed on the fourth kilometer. In addition, it was the third most uncertain race in history as the winner celebrated with only 0.6 seconds ahead of the runner-up. Ahead of us is only Jordan with 0.1 seconds and New Zealand with 0.5 seconds."

The interest in the Croatia Rally was also helped by the traffic incident of the seven-time world champion Frenchman Sebastien Ogier.

"This provoked a lot of comments all over the world, including stories that he would end up in prison in France. So like that, for us organizers, there were more heart attack moments, but we survived and managed to impose ourselves to the extent that the day after the race, we got an open offer to continue with it."

And for that to happen, Croatian organizers need three million euros.

"The Croatian Government has guaranteed us seven and a half million kuna a year, or one million euros. And where will they get the remaining two million? We would close the second million with commercial sponsors such as HEP, Ina, ACI Marina, Konzum... We have to earn the third million ourselves, from tickets, sales of our products and services, and the City of Zagreb would participate with a little more than half of that amount. And that is the agreed amount that needs to be formalized. We are waiting for that amount to be confirmed by the City Assembly so that Mayor Tomašević can sign the contract. But if we do not close the financial construction by mid-November, we will have to give up because the FIA will no longer wait for us."

It would be a pity for such a project to fail due to Croatian bureaucracy.

"You know what, there are great people in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, just like in the CNTB, but they are also struggling with the system in which they work, and in the end, in this country, it all comes down to a few people who make such decisions. And the biggest problem is getting to them."

One such initiative led by Šaškin was dropped because there was no decision from the political top. 

"About ten years ago, Ozren Muller and I brought the main organizers of the Dakar Rally to Croatia. Given that the Lisbon start was canceled due to terrorism, we convinced the organizers that it would be good for this famous rally to start from Zagreb. The idea was to drive to Pula on the first day, to Dubrovnik on the second, and that the participants boarded the ferry to Tunisia there, and they liked it. Unfortunately, the then Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor did not like it. Either she did not understand the significance of everything, or we failed to convey it to her. And when a small country misses such an opportunity, it is a pity because, unlike big countries, big opportunities do not come to us often. It would be good if we had a special office for such events that would evaluate, approve or reject events of potential benefit to Croatia," concluded Šaškin.

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.

April 28, 2021 - The Croatia Rally will be part of the WRC calendar for the next two years, confirmed the Croatia Rally Organizing Committee president, Daniel Šaškin.

Thanks to the successful organization of the Croatia Rally, held last week, the WRC and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) have offered a fixed contract for at least two more years in which the Croatia Rally would be included in the World Rally Championship calendar.

"This kind of world event is a great opportunity to extend the tourist season and a fantastic promotion of Croatia around the world. I hope that everyone will recognize this, from institutions to the corporate sector, and help us organize the race in Croatia in the coming years. We got a chance; it would be crazy to lose it and miss it," points out the Croatia Rally Organizing Committee president, Daniel Šaškin, who exclusively confirmed the news on the TV show Otvoreno.

Behind Croatia is a spectacular sports weekend. The best rally drivers of today showed their skills through 20 speed tests on 300 kilometers of local roads in Karlovac, Krapina-Zagorje, and Zagreb counties and the City of Zagreb. The sports spectacle and recordings from Croatia toured 150 countries worldwide, and more than 200 foreign journalists and camerapeople visited Croatia, which is the largest number of world media that were present live at a sporting event in Croatia.

FIA president Jean Todt / Luka Stanzl / PIXSELL

Despite a challenging year with many restrictions due to the current pandemic, the organization of the rally, which was the main topic in Croatia and beyond this weekend, was praised by drivers, teams, journalists, and many auto racing fans who, despite calls to watch the race on small screens, gathered along the tracks on which the speed tests were driven.

The figures related to the event next year could be far more impressive because holding a competition with spectators brings many times greater benefits through the generated consumption in Croatia.

An example is Portugal, which 930 thousand spectators visit during the WRC, generating spending of 70 million euro. The value of the promotion since the World Rally Championship for Portugal is estimated at 75 million euro.

Source: HRT

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE. 

ZAGREB, 26 April, 2021 - Belgian Thierry Neuville, who came in third in Croatia Rally, the third round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), will donate €4,000 for the reconstruction of the building of the General Hospital "Dr Ivo Pedišić" in Sisak.

Neuville has shown that in addition to being an excellent rally driver, he is also a great humanitarian as he joined the international humanitarian campaign "Together to the Finish Line", which was launched at the end of March by the Croatia Rally organising committee with the support of the WRC and the Croatian Red Cross as the project holder.

Neuville's team thanked the organisers for a great rally which took place this weekend at the local roads of Karlovac, Krapina-Zagorje and Zagreb counties and the City of Zagreb. They said that everyone was extremely happy and satisfied with their stay in Croatia.

Together with his colleagues Sebastien Ogier and Teemu Suninen, Neuville has been supporting the humanitarian campaign since the very start, and the Belgian had announced that he would donate €2,000 for participating and €4,000 if he won second or third place.

After a great weekend on local Croatian roads, the Belgian finished third, together with his co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe. Interestingly, the Belgian crew was third in all of the three rounds of this year's WRC, and it is ranked second in it overall WRC standings.

All those interested can support the excellent sports-humanitarian initiative until 30 April by donating to account HR2023600001502892305.

To read more news from Croatia, follow our dedicated page.

April 25, 2021 - The current and seven-time world champion Frenchman Sebastien Ogier (Toyota) won the first edition of the Croatia Rally, the third World Rally Championship, on Sunday.

Just before the last gear, the Welshman Elfyn Evans (Toyota) had a 3.9-second advantage over Ogier but made a mistake in the last turn of the rally and lost the victory by only six-tenths of a second. Ogier thus reached the 51st triumph in his career.

Evans finished in second place (+0.6), and third place went to Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), who drove great in reverse gear, but at one point spun on the track and lost several precious seconds.

The winner of the Finnish Arctic Rally, Estonian Ott Tänak (Hyundai), was fourth with a minute and 25.1 seconds behind the winner.

Ogier was the leader after the first two days of the rally, i.e., after 16 of the 20 scheduled special stages. On Sunday, the last day, he came in with a 6.9-second lead over British teammate Elfyn Evans and 10.4 seconds ahead of Belgium's Thierry Neuville (Hyundai).

On the way to today's first gear, Ogier had a minor traffic accident on Avenue Dubrovnik. The world champion was heading east and then tried to rearrange himself in the right lane and was then hit by a personal car, which hit the back of Ogier’s Toyota. No one was injured, and Ogier continued to race. Further precious seconds were lost in the 18th gear where Evans took the initiative and skipped over them.

The last day of the Croatia Rally started with the 17th speed test Bliznec - Pila (25.2 km), and Evans was brilliant and the fastest on the 17th and 18th speed, while Thierry Neuville had the best time on the penultimate speed test.

The last speed (Zagorska Sela - Kumrovec, 14.09 km) is the so-called "power stage" where drivers have extra points for the World Cup. Elfyn Evans took the lead; in second place was Ogier with 3.9 seconds behind, while in third was Neuville with 8.0 seconds less time. But in the last gear, Ogier was the fastest and surpassed Evans.

Source: HRT

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE. 

April 25, 2021 - The president of the International Automobile Federation Jean Todt visits Rimac Automobili.

Sportske Novosti reports that the president of the International Automobile Federation, Jean Todt, arrived at the World Rally Championship Croatia Rally, which is being held in Croatia this weekend. The first man of the FIA, whose decision was crucial for Croatia's entry into the WRC calendar, shared his first impressions.

"Maybe we should ask people who have been involved in the organization and implementation of the rally from the beginning, but according to what I heard from the participants of the race, the impressions are good, and everyone is satisfied. In Croatia, we won a very demanding competition, an uncertain race that requires the creativity of the team and the driver. The weather is great, the fight on the track is open, and first impressions are good, but we need to wait for the end of the race for the final grade," Todt said.

"This season, some legendary rally races such as Greece and Kenya are returning to the WRC calendar, but Croatia, along with Estonia and a new race in Finland, further enriches the World Championship, and I think that this year we will enjoy an interesting season despite the problems brought on by the pandemic. Croatia has so far been known in the world as a tourist country, and from now on, it will be a country that hosts the WRC. It’s just a new step in the history of car racing and a good reminder of the first club founded 115 years ago."

Emphasizing the great efforts of the rally organizers and the Croatian Car and Karting Association, Todt also recalled the recently deceased Mayor of Zagreb, Milan Bandić.

"I visited Croatia several times on the occasion of the WRC race, and Milan Bandić was one of the people who always supported the whole project. He put a lot of personal effort into making it happen in the end. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us, and I think that in the end, this rally should be dedicated to him," said Todt, who on Saturday had the opportunity to visit the plants where Rimac cars are made and take a short test lap in one of his prototypes in Sveta Nedelja.

"I really appreciate people who can push the boundaries, and Mate Rimac is one of them. I was impressed by the acceleration achieved by his cars, but even more by the vision and passion behind everything he has done in just 10 years. It was necessary to have the guts to start developing an electric hypersport car when electric cars were just exotic. I was also introduced to his plans and future projects, and you have to respect and support such things."

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE. 

April 25, 2021 - The world motorsport elite gathered in Zagreb to celebrate 115 years of dedicated work to auto racing in Croatia.

More than a century of continuous commitment to the development and promotion of motorsport in Croatia briefly turned Zagreb into the capital of auto racing on Saturday evening. 

A gala dinner to celebrate 115 years of organized auto racing in Croatia gathered the leading people of world motorsport in Zagreb. Organized by the Croatian Car and Karting Association (HAKS) and president Davorin Štetner, the president of the World Automobile Federation (FIA) Jean Todt, the former Formula 1 world champion, Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, the owner of Rimac Automobili, Mate Rimac, and the cream of the world and European sports arrived in Zagreb!

Mate Rimac, Jacques Villeneuve, Jean Todt, Davorin Štetner

"It is an incredible passion that we could see in the film about the development of organized auto racing in Croatia and the development of the sport in these 115 years. That energy is encouraging, and the whole FIA ​​is looking forward to it," said Jean Todt, adding that the WRC race in Croatia proved to be exciting and well organized.

"This is thanks to the federation, the organizers, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and the City of Zagreb, and it is really worth watching the drivers compete on difficult tracks, where there is no room for error."

After taking Jean Todt through his complex in the Concept Two car on Saturday, Mate Rimac stated that the arrival of the world motorsport greats is the greatest recognition for Croatia and the Croatian Car and Karting Association.

"All these people who came here are important people who see positive things in our country - the energy of people who are committed to organizing races like this in Croatia. This is important for us, not only in sports but also in economic terms," Rimac said.

The host, the president of the Croatian Car and Karting Association Davorin Štetner, said in an emotional speech that the response of the guests, the great effort of all involved in the sport, but also the current WRC race in Croatia is a great recognition of the efforts of octane enthusiasts for decades.

"Courage, passion, endurance, and the ability to constantly adapt to unpredictable conditions - these characteristics are essential for our sport. I want to thank everyone who contributed in any way to the development of the sport. This dinner was conceived a little differently, but the pandemic ruled, and we couldn’t celebrate it with representatives of the 88 clubs that actually make up the alliance. The names gathered at the Sheraton today are the pinnacle of world motorsport, and I am very proud to have this recognition! Our 115 years, top experts, and most importantly - an interested audience, are responsible for the fact that the country is today in the rank of the best hosts, drivers, and organizers of car races. Regarding the WRC, it is the icing on the cake of this celebration, and the teamwork of all involved is deserving of winning the race and excellent grades so far. Still, we will celebrate on Sunday afternoon when the race is over. The match for WRC to stay in Croatia starts already at this moment, and I hope that after these first days of racing, all institutions have recognized its size and importance! I am encouraged by the words addressed to me these days by the owner of the WRC, the president of the FIA, and the leaders of the strongest teams," said Štetner, reminding that this HAKS anniversary will be further enhanced by the race at Grobnik in September, when Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 world champion, will be on the track as part of the NASCAR GP.

"It is never easy to organize a world competition for the first time, and the team from Croatia succeeded. Congratulations to Davorin, at whose invitation I came and to the whole team," Villeneuve commented after the WRC ceremony. "Croatia is beautiful, and I look forward to every arrival, especially when the weather is nice. So far, I have only passed the track in Grobnik on video games, so I'm looking forward to the ride."

The world's elite at the celebration also included one of the best rally drivers in history and the current president of the FIA ​​Committee for Women in Motorsports, Michèle Mouton, still, the only woman to win races in the highest FIA World Championship competitions (with male competition), NASCAR Euro Series President Jérôme Galpin, former rally driver who brought the prestigious NASCAR to Europe, WRC Hyundai team chief Andrea Adamo, and Ford M-Sport team chief Malcolm Wilson.

It also included WRC general manager Jona Siebel, who said that the enthusiasm and teamwork of all succeeded, and the WRC owner Thomas Krohne himself. The guests were also addressed by the Acting Mayor of the City of Zagreb, Jelena Pavičić Vukičević, and along with the Minister of Labor, Pensions, Family and Social Policy Josip Aladrović and the Greek Minister of Sports Eleftherios Avgenakis. The ceremony was also attended by State Secretary for Sports Tomislav Družak and sales director of Bell helicopters for Europe and Russia Simon Sirancov, and presidents of the Slovenian and Hungarian automotive associations.

The Croatian Car and Karting Association marked the beginning of the first organized activity when the first Croatian Automobile Club in Zagreb was founded on April 1, 1906. The Croatian Car and Karting Association was formed from this club, today the umbrella and only competent body for organizing, conducting, and supervising all car and karting competitions in Croatia. As many as nine HAKS representatives are active in the bodies of the World Automobile Federation - FIA.

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE. 

April 23, 2021 - Belgian driver Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20) leads with three morning victories on the WRC Croatia Rally day one. Even with small delays in the four afternoon specials, he kept the top spot, while the current and seven-time world champion Frenchman Sebastien Ogier broke into second place (Toyota Yaris).

Ogier was the fastest in the last three special stages in the afternoon, reducing his gap to 7.7 seconds behind the Belgian asphalt specialist after the first day.

"I'm pretty happy with the first day. It was difficult for everyone, and after Kalle took off, our main goal was to try to use a good starting position, which we managed," said the leader Neuville, commenting on the afternoon three-stage victory of his great rival Sebastien Ogier.

"I have gone through enough fights with myself, and I know what he is capable of, just as he knows what I can do. Tomorrow’s stages will be challenging again, but I like them, and I hope to keep pushing as much as I can to keep you in the lead."

Luka Stanzl / PIXSELL

Britain’s Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris) is in the game for an overall win with 8.0 seconds behind Neuville. Estonian Ott Tanak (Hyundai i20 Coupe) is fourth, but he is 31.9 seconds behind the leader.

The first speed test of the Croatia Rally was also the last for the leader in the overall World Championship 20-year-old Finn Kalle Rovanperä, who landed off the road with his Toyota Yaris and ended up in an abyss overgrown with trees. Luckily, his co-driver Jonne Halttunen also got out of the car unscathed, but the car was so destroyed that Rovanperä will not be able to start on Saturday.

At the same turn in first gear, Ogier almost turned out but managed to stay on the road.

Unfortunately, among the seven crews that had to give up the competition on the first day were two Croatian teams. Vilim Prodan and co-driver Zoran Raštegorac (Ford Fiesta) were left without the possibility of continuing the rally after the third speed test due to a malfunction, and Martin Ravenščak with co-driver Tomislav Tomašković (Ford Fiesta) finished their appearance after the fifth speed, also due to technical problems.

Luka Stanzl / PIXSELL

The Saturday morning program starts at 8.29 am, with the speed test Mali Lipovac - Grdanjci, length 20.30 km. The first speed test in the afternoon part of the program will be run on the same section, starting at 14.29. On Saturday, the drivers are facing eight special stages.

Source: HRT

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE. 

ZAGREB, 19 April, 2021 - Everything is ready for the arrival of participants in the third round of the FIA World Rally Championship, which will take place in Croatia on 22-25 April, and the host expects more than 200 reporters and TV crews for this occasion.

A total of 69 teams are expected at the Croatia Rally route which will include local roads around Plešivica, Žumberak, and Karlovac and Krapina-Zagorje counties, while the initial special stage will be in Zagreb, the organisers said.

The event will be broadcast live to more than 150 countries worldwide.

The audience in Croatia can watch it on the national HRT broadcaster and the Arena Sport channel as well as on the WRC+ broadcaster.

A WRC service park has been set up on the Zagreb Fair (ZV) compound where about 1,200 people are involved in preparing the vehicles and drivers for the race.

The strict anti-epidemic protocols, developed in cooperation with the FIA 'Return to Motor Sport Guidelines', and the epidemiological rules imposed by Croatia's health authorities are being applied in the park and other venues of the race.

A total of 12 teams will compete in the strongest WRC category, and some of the stars are Sébastien Ogier, a French rally driver, Estonian Ott Tänak, Belgian Thierry Neuville and Finnish driver Kale Rovanperä.

The third round of the WRC rally features six Croatian drivers: Viliam Prodan, Martin Ravenščak, Krešimir Ravenščak, Ivica Siladić, Mateo Butorac and Željko Magličić.

For more about sports in Croatia, follow our dedicated page.