The event, hosted by ADAC Südbayern as the 58th ADAC KNAUS TABBERT 3 STÄDTE RALLYE, sets the grand stage for the season finale of the German Rally Championship.
Sport knows no borders
"During last year's event, there were very good discussions with our friends from the Czech Republic in Freyung," ADAC Sport President Dr. Gerd Ennser and Fritz Schadeck (Sports Director ADAC Südbayern and Chairman of the organising committee) are pleased to report. "These have now led to us being able to set up a 3-country event in the heart of Europe together with our existing partners in Austria." The people-uniting character is more topical than ever in view of the conflict with Russia. The first "3 Städte" led in 1963 as a peace ride in the middle of the Cold War from Munich via Vienna through the Iron Curtain to Budapest. "Maybe we can send a small signal that sport knows no borders and war is no solution," Ennser and Schadeck hope.
Top field of participants fights for international honours
From a purely sporting point of view, the rally in autumn promises to be a top-level spectacle. In addition to the best teams of the German Championship, the event is also part of the Czech National Championship, the FIA European Rally Trophy, the Mitropa Rally Cup and various regional championships. Thus, the field of well over 100 participants includes absolute top drivers. However, also the amateur athletes can compete on the demanding routes. In addition, the 3 Städte Rally, which will once again carry a climate-neutral certificate, is part of the ADAC Opel eRally Cup. In a separate classification, drivers with purely electrically powered cars will determine their German champion.
12 special stages with about 166 kilometres
As last year, the 3-Städte rally centre will be located in Waldkirchen in the district of Freyung-Grafenau. This year, however, the special stages on the Bavarian side are located in the directly bordering district of Passau in the municipalities of Sonnen and Breitenberg (finish). "In order not to claim the same places twice in a row, we can count on other partners here - and thus even offer the riders new routes again," Schadeck is pleased and thanks the district councillors Sebastian Gruber (Freyung-Grafenau) and Raimund Kneidinger (Passau) for their support in the run-up. "We like this cross-border approach. That is why this should not stop at our district borders," says Kneidinger. And his colleague Gruber adds: "The concept is convincing and we are therefore of the opinion that despite the occasional socio-political discussions, motor sport must not be discriminated against one-sidedly and still has its justification in this day and age." There was also broad approval from the local councils of the participating towns. The ADAC Südbayern has also informed all residents.
In addition to the special stages in Sonnen and Breitenberg, this year's routes on the Austrian side will run in Peilstein and Julbach. In the Czech Republic, the stages will be held in Šumavské Hoštice and Radhostice. All loops will be used twice, so that at the end of the 58th ADAC KNAUS TABBERT 3 STÄDTE RALLYE a total of twelve special stages with about 166 kilometres have to be completed.
Recreational vehicle manufacturer KNAUS TABBERT again title partner
The ADAC Südbayern can again rely on the support of Knaus Tabbert AG. The manufacturer of motorhomes, caravans and panel vans from Jandelsbrunn is taking on the title partnership for the third time. "We are pleased to be able to actively accompany this event on its development now even into a 3-country rally," emphasised Werner Vaterl, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Knaus Tabbert AG at the group's dealer conference in Bad Griesbach, where the cooperation was officially sealed. The company is a leading manufacturer of leisure vehicles in Germany and Europe and unites six brands under one roof (KNAUS, TABBERT, WEINSBERG, T@B, MORELO, RENT AND TRAVEL). At four locations, 3500 employees produced around 26,000 vehicles in 2021. "It's great that such a major international event takes place in our region and ensures supra-regional appeal," says Vaterl. "We are convinced by the concept, in which ADAC Südbayern as the organiser also brings critics on board and gives the topic of sustainability in motorsport a broad scope."
