RULES & CLASSES

RULES & CLASSES

RULES

CONDITIONS FOR VEHICLES AND CLASS SCHEDULE
Vehicles that meet all the conditions required by traffic regulations can participate in the race, and must have lighting and signaling (brake lights and turn signals) and competition equipment prescribed by the regulations.
Croatia Challenge 2025

Before the start, ALL VEHICLES MUST PASS TECHNICAL INSPECTION.

Please have all required equipment ready at the beginning of the technical inspection.

Vehicles that do not meet these MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS will not be permitted to start the route until the faults have been corrected.

  1. All competitors must be adults, except co-drivers aged 16 or over who have the consent of both parents.
  2. Drivers must hold a valid Category B driving licence.
  3. The race consists of roadbook stages and special tests.
  4. Third parties are not permitted to assist competitors during the race. Assistance may only be provided by other teams that are still participating in the competition. Once a team has handed in its roadbook at the finish, that team becomes a third party. Any external assistance provided after this point will result in disqualification for that day.
  5. During the race, crew members must wear helmets and safety belts at all times. During the night race, they must also wear reflective vests.
  6. The vehicle must not drag anything behind it, including a winch rope, cable, strap or any other equipment.
  7. The winch rope must be fully wound in at both the start and finish lines.
  8. During a special test, after the start or before the finish, the winch rope and any attached straps may be carried on or inside the vehicle, but never inside the cabin with the crew.
  9. The driver and navigator/co-driver may cross the start or finish line only when both are inside the vehicle.
  10. Anyone who removes a stake or course-marking tape during a special test will receive the following penalties:
  • Stake: 10 minutes added
  • Tape: 5 minutes added
  • Repairing or replacing a stake is not permitted
  • Early-start penalty: 1 hour
  • Repairing the tape is permitted, but it must be repaired IMMEDIATELY after it is broken
  1. Times recorded during the special tests—the Prologue, circuit race and final Saturday test—will be multiplied by three and added to the overall race time. Penalties will not be multiplied.
  2. Each stage will have a maximum completion time—the prescribed time. If one-third (1/3) of the route has not been completed within the prescribed time, the crew will not be permitted to continue following the roadbook.
  3. If a crew does not arrive at the stage start line, its total time will be 100% less than the time recorded by the lowest-placed competitor.
  4. If a crew starts the stage and completes between 20% and 50% of the route, its total time will be 70% less than the time of the slowest competitor to complete the stage.
  5. If a crew starts the stage and completes more than 50% of the route, its total time will be 50% less than the time of the slowest competitor to complete the stage.
  6. Each stage will have a prescribed time and a specified number of checkpoints. The prescribed time will be divided between the checkpoints. A two-hour penalty will be added to the stage time for every missing checkpoint stamp at the finish. The permitted deviation from the route is 50 metres. Exceeding this limit will result in disqualification.

  7. Before crossing the start line, the crew may remove anything from the vehicle that is not required. Anything removed must not be used before the finish; otherwise, this will be considered external assistance.

18. If a crew member becomes ill or is injured during the race, that person may be replaced by another crew member. The replaced person may not continue the race in another vehicle. A crew with a replacement member may remain in the race and is still eligible for prizes.

19. Changing vehicles during the race is not permitted.

20. If a vehicle is seriously damaged, any race official may stop it and send it for repairs. After being repaired, the vehicle must undergo an emergency technical inspection arranged by the Race Director.

21. The driver and co-driver may exchange positions at any time during the race, provided that both hold valid driving licences.

22. The winner will be the team with the best overall time across all stages of the race.

23. All crews must pay the required registration fee before their vehicle undergoes technical inspection.

24. The consumption of alcohol, narcotics or other intoxicating substances is strictly prohibited during the official race.

25. Competitors may display advertising on their vehicles, provided that it does not cover the registration plates, reduce visibility, or contain political content or hate speech.

26. At the beginning of the race, competitors must apply all stickers supplied by the organising club.

27. Only the driver and co-driver may be inside the vehicle during the official part of the race.

28. Vehicles will start according to the order established during the Prologue on the first day of the race. Vehicles that did not participate in the Prologue but still wish to start will be assigned positions chronologically according to registration, using the slowest competitor’s time plus 100%.

29. The starting order for the next stage will be determined by the results of the previous stage.

30. Every crew must report to all assigned time controls and checkpoints.

31. Vehicles will start at two-minute intervals. If a crew is late for its start, the next crew will start at its scheduled time. The late crew may start after all other vehicles have departed, but its time will be calculated from its originally assigned start time.

32. All vehicles will be GPS-tracked and may deviate by no more than 50 metres from the route.

PENALTIES AND DISQUALIFICATION

The following may result in penalties or disqualification:

  • Crews whose vehicles do not display their start numbers or the race sponsors’ stickers.
  • Any irregularity, breach of the rules or unsporting conduct by a competitor.
  • Obstructing another crew attempting to overtake. If a crew blocks another vehicle because of a breakdown, inability to proceed, lack of capability or any other reason, the affected crew may submit audio or video evidence to the organiser.
  • Placing obstacles on the route or moving or removing signs placed by the organiser.
  • Consuming narcotics, alcohol or other intoxicating substances during the competition.
  • Any attempt to deceive officials concerning the required technical condition of the vehicle.

ANY INSULT DIRECTED AT THE ORGANISERS OR RACE OFFICIALS BY A COMPETITOR WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE COMPETITION.

COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS

All objections, complaints, appeals and similar matters must be submitted to the race organiser in writing, together with a fee of €100.

They must be submitted as soon as possible after the issue, misunderstanding or irregularity occurs—immediately after the stage has finished and before the next stage begins.

  • If the appeal is upheld, the fee will be refunded. If the appeal is rejected, the fee will be retained.
  • Decisions concerning appeals will be made by the race organiser, the race official and a committee consisting of:
    • One race official
    • One organiser
    • One independent member

OTHER PROVISIONS

  • All competition officials must fully familiarise themselves with the Competition Rules and confirm this by signing the registration form upon arrival. By signing, they agree to comply with all provisions of the Rules. The provisions may not be changed during the competition unless the organiser permits a change because of unforeseen circumstances or force majeure.
  • Competitors participate entirely at their own responsibility and risk and accept full moral, financial and criminal liability.
  • Parts of the race will take place on roads open to public traffic. All traffic regulations and instructions issued by the traffic police must therefore be followed.

The race organiser reserves the right to change sections of the roadbook or special tests during the competition, suspend or terminate the competition, or exclude individual crews from further participation.

RACE DISCIPLINE

All competitors must comply with traffic regulations.

Drivers must pay particular attention to speed limits, especially when travelling through populated areas and wherever a speed limit is specified by the organiser in the roadbook.

Every confirmed speeding offence will result in a penalty of 10 minutes being added to the crew’s overall time for every kilometre per hour over the stated speed limit.

This speed restriction does not apply to special-test routes that are closed to public traffic.

Croatia Challenge 2025

ADVENTURE AND UTV CLASSES

A roll bar is compulsory.

The minimum roll-bar requirement is one solid hoop bent alongside or over the roof—not welded directly to the roof—with two supports welded to its highest point. It must have four securely attached mounting bases.

  • Portal axles are not permitted in these classes.
  • UTV vehicles must not weigh more than 1,200 kg. This requirement applies ONLY TO THE UTV CLASS.
  • The maximum tyre size is 92 cm.
  • A front winch is compulsory.
  • Suitable vehicle lighting is compulsory because the race may include a night section.
  • Tyre chains are not permitted.
  • A tree-protection strap is compulsory.
  • An eight-metre recovery strap is compulsory.
  • The vehicle must have suitable front and rear recovery/towing points.
  • A first-aid kit complying with ECE standards or higher is compulsory.
  • A certified and fully charged fire extinguisher with a minimum total capacity of 2 kg is compulsory. This may be one 2 kg extinguisher or two 1 kg extinguishers.
  • Three-point or better safety belts, equivalent to those fitted in standard road vehicles, are compulsory.
  • The driver and co-driver must both wear helmets. Helmets must be ECE-approved for motorsport or standard road use. Recreational helmets are not permitted.
  • The vehicle must not leak oil or any other fluids.
  • Traction boards and ground anchors are permitted.
  • A Tripmaster is recommended, as the roadbooks have been prepared using one. If a Tripmaster is not available, a suitable mobile application may be used.
Croatia Challenge 2025

CHALLENGE CLASS

A roll bar is compulsory.

The minimum roll-bar requirement is one solid hoop bent alongside or over the roof—not welded directly to the roof—with two supports welded to its highest point. It must have four securely attached mounting bases.

  • Portal axles are permitted in this class.
  • There is no tyre-size restriction in this class.
  • A front winch is compulsory.
  • Suitable vehicle lighting is compulsory because the race may include a night section.
  • Tyre chains are not permitted.
  • A tree-protection strap is compulsory.
  • An eight-metre recovery strap is compulsory.
  • The vehicle must have suitable front and rear recovery/towing points.
  • A first-aid kit complying with ECE standards or higher is compulsory.
  • A certified and fully charged fire extinguisher with a minimum total capacity of 2 kg is compulsory. This may be one 2 kg extinguisher or two 1 kg extinguishers.
  • Four-point H-harness safety belts are compulsory.
  • The driver and co-driver must both wear helmets. Helmets must be ECE-approved for motorsport or standard road use. Recreational helmets are not permitted.
  • The vehicle must not leak oil or any other fluids.
  • Traction boards and ground anchors are permitted.
  • A Tripmaster is recommended, although a suitable mobile application may also be used.
  • The vehicle must weigh at least 1,200 kg.

RULES

CONDITIONS FOR VEHICLES AND CLASS SCHEDULE
Vehicles that meet all the conditions required by traffic regulations can participate in the race, and must have lighting and signaling (brake lights and turn signals) and competition equipment prescribed by the regulations.
Croatia Challenge 2025

Before the start, ALL VEHICLES MUST PASS A TECHNICAL INSPECTION.

Please prepare all the equipment at the start of the technical check.
Vehicles that don't fulfil these MINIMUM CONDITIONS will not be able to start on the route until the defects are fixed.

1. All contestants must be of legal age (unless they are over 16 as a co-driver with the consent of both parents).

2. Drivers must have a valid category B driver’s license.

3. The race consists of roadbooks and special tests.

4. It is not allowed for third parties to help competitors during the race. Only other teams that are still participating may assist. Once the roadbook is handed in at the finish, competitors become third parties; any outside help after this results in disqualification for that day.

5. During the race, the crew must wear helmets and seat belts at all times.

6. The vehicle must not drag anything behind it (winch rope, cable, spanner, or any accessory).

7. The winch rope must be wound at the start and finish lines.

8. During a special test (after the start or before the finish), the winch rope or attached straps may be on or in the vehicle, but never inside the cabin with the crew.

9. The driver and navigator (passenger) may cross the start or finish line only if they are both in the vehicle.

10. Anyone who removes a stake or tape during a special test will be penalized:

      1. 10 minutes added for a stake
      2. 5 minutes added for tape
      3. No repair of tape or stake is allowed
      4. Early start penalty: 1 hour

    11. The time of special tests (Prologue, circular race, and final Sunday test) is tripled and added to the total race time.

  1. 12. Each stage will have a maximum passing time (set time). If one-third of the track is not covered in the set time, continuing according to the roadbook is not allowed.

  2. 13. If the crew does not reach the starting line of a stage, their total time will be 100% worse than the worst competitor’s time.

  3. 14. If the crew starts the stage and completes 20–50% of the track, their total time will be 70% worse than the worst competitor’s time who finished the stage.

  4. 15. If the crew starts the stage and completes more than 50% of the track, their total time will be 50% worse than the worst competitor’s time who finished the stage.

  5. 16. Each stage will have a set time and a certain number of checkpoints. The set time is divided among checkpoints. For each missing checkpoint stamp at the finish, control value x2 is added to the stage time. Allowed route deviation: 50 meters. Exceeding this results in disqualification.

PENALTIES - DISQUALIFICATIONS

⦁ Crews whose vehicles do not have start numbers or race sponsor stickers.
⦁ Any irregularity, violation or unsportsmanlike behavior of the competitor.
⦁ Disruption of overtaking (breakdown, impossibility, inability or other reason), they do not allow other crews to overtake them, they have the right to remove it or record it with an audio/video recording that will be forwarded to the organiser.
⦁ Placing obstacles on the road, moving or removing signs placed by the organizer.
⦁ Taking narcotics, alcohol or other intoxicants during the competition.
⦁ If any attempt at fraud is detected regarding the prescribed technical conditions of the vehicle.
ANY INSULT TO ORGANIsERS AND JUDGES BY COMPETITORS WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FROM FURTHER COMPETITION.

COMPLAINTS

⦁ All objections, appeals and the like must be submitted to the race organiser, in writing, with a fee of EUR 100, as soon as possible after the occurrence of a problem, misunderstanding or any irregularity (immediately after the end of the stage, and before the start of the next stage).
⦁ If the appeal is accepted, the money will be returned, while if the appeal is rejected, the money will be kept.
⦁ Decisions on appeals are made by the race organiser, the judge and the commission consisting of:
   ⦁ Judge
   ⦁ Organiser
   ⦁ Independent member.

OTHER PROVISIONS

⦁ All judges of the competition are obliged to fully familiarise themselves with the Rules of the competition and confirm this by signing the application form upon arrival. By signing, they undertake to comply with all provisions of the Rulebook. The provisions of the Regulations cannot be changed in any sense during the competition, unless the organiser does not allow it due to unforeseen circumstances or force majeure.
⦁ Participants drive at their own risk and responsibility, with full moral, material and criminal responsibility.
⦁ Part of the meeting of this race will take place in public traffic, and it is necessary to comply with the regulations and orders of the traffic police.
⦁ The race organiser reserves the right to change parts and sections of the roadbook and special tests during the competition, to stop the competition or to exclude individual crews from further competition.
Croatia Challenge 2025

ADVENTURE CLASS

It is mandatory to have a roll bar (minimum propositions of a roll bar are 1 solid arch; bent along or over the roof, and not welded to the roof, and has 2 supports welded at the highest point. It must have 4 firmly fixed bases).
No portals are allowed for this class.
⦁ The maximum tire size is 92 cm.
Front winch is mandatory.
Adequate lighting on the vehicle is mandatory due to the possible night part of the race.
⦁ Tire chains are not allowed.
⦁ Belt for tree protection is mandatory.
⦁ An 8 m long towing strap is mandatory.
⦁ A towing hook is required for towing forward and backward on the vehicle.
⦁ First aid in accordance with ECE norms or better is mandatory.
⦁ A fire extinguisher of at least 2 kg (or 2 x 1 kg) is required, which must be filled and certified.
⦁ Safety belts in 3 points (as in standard vehicles) or more are mandatory.
⦁ A helmet is mandatory for the driver and passenger, which must be ECE tested for auto-moto or for standard use in traffic (cannot be recreational).
⦁ Oil or any other liquid must not leak from the car
⦁ Treads and anchors are allowed.
⦁ Tripmaster is a recommendation (everything was done with it), if you don't have it, then mobile phone applications.
Croatia Challenge 2025

CHALLENGE CLASS

⦁ It is mandatory to have a roll bar (minimum propositions of a roll bar are 1 solid arch; bent along or over the roof, and not welded to the roof, and has 2 supports welded at the highest point. It must have 4 firmly fixed bases).
Portals are allowed for this class.
⦁ There is no tire size limit for this class.
Front winch is mandatory.
Adequate lighting on the vehicle is mandatory due to the possible night part of the race.
⦁ Tire chains are not allowed.
⦁ Belt for tree protection is mandatory.
⦁ An 8 m long towing strap is mandatory.
⦁ A towing hook is required for towing forward and backward on the vehicle.
⦁ First aid in accordance with ECE norms or better is mandatory.
⦁ A fire extinguisher of at least 2 kg (or 2 x 1 kg) is required, which must be filled and certified.
⦁ Safety belts in 4 points are mandatory. (H belts)
⦁ A helmet is mandatory for the driver and passenger, which must be ECE tested for auto-moto or for standard use in traffic (cannot be recreational).
⦁ Oil or any other liquid must not leak from the car
⦁ Treads and anchors are allowed.
⦁ Tripmaster is recommended, but it can also be an application on a mobile phone