2024 FIA World Rally Championship: Croatia Rally

About the rally

A newcomer to the WRC in 2021, Croatia Rally has proved itself to be huge challenge with ever-changing grip levels and surface conditions characterising the first world-level rally in Europe’s eastern region since Rally Bulgaria in 2010.

The sealed surface special stages are slippery even in the dry, while the asphalt varies from super-smooth via worn to badly broken. Throw in crests and jumps, and it’s easy to see why this third round is a favourite among the drivers.

The first edition was a thriller with Sébastien Ogier snatching victory from Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans when the Welshman slid onto the grass at the final corner. The 0.6sec winning margin was the third closest WRC finish ever.

2022 was another close affair, with torrential rain during Sunday’s final leg raising the stakes for the Rally1 crews. Victory again went to a Toyota driver, Kalle Rovanperä, who edged Ott Tänak by just 4.3sec.

Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT crew Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin won the event last year.

Top 3 Highlights

• Big crowds at central Zagreb’s National and University Library for Thursday evening’s start ceremony.

• A breathtaking section in the Vinski Vrh – Duga Resa stage features a stone bridge over Dobra River and an ancient Frankopan castle. The most photogenic section of the rally.

• A crackling atmosphere stage-side. More than 300,000 fans attended the event in 2022 and 2023!

Servicepark

• Based at Zagreb Fair, a vast exhibition centre, in the south of Croatia’s vibrant capital. It lies close to the giant Sava River, a 990km stretch of water which flows through Slovenia, Serbia and along Croatia’s border with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Event History

• First held in 1974 under the name INA Delta TLX Rally and quickly grew to become a national championship event in the former Yugoslavia.

• Incorporated into the European Championship in 1986 and, after moving to Zagreb, it rose through the ranks to reach the top level of the European series in 2007.

• Economic recession prompted a relocation to Rijeka and then Istria.

• Roll of honour is topped by Slovenia’s Branislav Kuzmič with five wins, followed by home country driver Juraj Šebalj with four.

• Sébastien Ogier won on the WRC’s first visit there in 2021.