Excellent views of spectacular rally action – but safety first!

• Thousands of personnel ensure maximum safety at the Central European Rally

• Fans are an important part of the safety concept

• Fairness counts: Buying a ticket and consideration for residents help make the rally a success

Large and well-equipped spectator points are at the heart of the safety concept at the Central European Rally.

From 16th to 19th October 2025, the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) returns to the region of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. The top stars of the international rally scene will go head to head on 18 special stages, with 307 kilometres against the clock and a total distance of roughly 1,468 kilometres. To allow spectators to enjoy this spectacular action safely, a mighty safety net is in place: roughly 2,000 route marshals and many other personnel from the organisational team, fire departments and emergency services are employed every day to ensure safety along the rally route. However, no matter how comprehensive the safety concept is, visitors themselves have a key role to play. Anyone visiting the rally can really help to make the CER a safe, fair and memorable experience for everyone involved by behaving appropriately. The greatest plea from the side of the organisers is to use the signposted fan zones. They are the best place to watch thrilling rallying in a safe environment – with spectacular views of the action, good infrastructures, and greater comfort. All information on tickets, directions and spectator points can be found on the homepage at centraleuropeanrally.eu.

Extensive preparations for maximum safety

Before the event actually gets started, preparations have already been underway for months behind the scenes. Work on the routes start 14 days ahead of the rally start, when the spectator areas are prepared and access routes are signposted. With five days remaining before the start, the hordes of helpers put the final finishes to the special stages – attention is paid to every detail, knowing that the FIA safety specialists will give everything a thorough inspection on the Tuesday ahead of the Rally. During the event, the heart of the system is Rally Control, where over 30 experts from the organisational team, FIA, police, emergency services and route safety work together to coordinate all the processes and procedures. GPS tracking of the competing cars, feedback from marshals out on the routes, TV footage and radio messages ensure there is always a comprehensive picture of the current situation at any given time.

The designated spectator points at the CER offer excellent views, parking and a great service for visitors.

The material used also contributes to the safety net: roughly 23 kilometres of so-called “onion sacks” are used as mobile barriers to clearly demarcate spectator zones. They are made of robust plastic and were largely used last year, reducing the amount of waste. About 80 kilometres of barrier tape mark out safe and environmentally-considerate pathways to the spectator points. In a worst case scenario, emergency medical vehicles are available on the special stages, as are dozens of specially trained medical staff and other helpers. In addition, medical points are set up for visitors on each stage. “We are doing everything we can to give our guests from all over the world a comfortable and safe rally experience,” says head of route safety Andreas Spannbauer. “That is a complicated task, which is only possible if everyone involved – from the authorities to the residents and fans – take responsibility together.”

Fan zones: Spectacular views and excellent infrastructure

Fans get the safest and best views of the action from the 34 official spectator zones. They are consciously positioned where the rally cars can be seen best. When planning the locations, special attention is paid to ensuring that the zones not only offer spectacular views, but are also safety. Hence the motto: “No tape, no pubic”. Spectators may only stay in areas that are clearly marked. However, the fan zones offer much more than just safe viewing points: visitors will find car parks nearby, catering options with regional specialities, sanitary facilities and, in some places, big screens providing entertainment during breaks in the action. Furthermore, eco marshals can be found in all zones: they inform visitors how to behave in an environmentally-responsible manner and help fans make their stay at the rally as sustainable as possible. As such, anyone choosing to visit a fan zone not only benefits from a higher level of safety, but also greater comfort and quality of experience, whilst at the same time supporting the organisers’ efforts to achieve maximum sustainability.

Fairness and responsibility from fans

The safety of the rally is not only dependent on route marshals and barrier tape, as the fans themselves also play a central role in the concept. This is particularly true when it comes to adhering to rules: no spectators on the outside of corners, no stopping behind blind crests or in dips with poor visibility. By intelligently selecting their place to watch from, every fan is not only protecting themselves, but also the rally teams and fellow visitors. The topic of fairness is equally important: one of the reasons the authorities in the rally regions give their authorisation for the rally is because the CER follows a sustainable concept that is considerate of local residents. This includes striving to ensure that visitors use designated parking places, make use of shuttles, or share lifts. Last but not least, purchasing a ticket should be a point of honour, as it allows every visitor to help finance the immense organisational effort behind the rally. “We are doing everything in our power to give our fans a fantastic rally,” says Spannbauer. “Spectators help us hugely by purchasing tickets and behaving responsibly.”

Working together for a safe rally festival

The 2025 Central European Rally will again attract tens of thousands of spectators. In 2024, 90,000 visitors were counted – and organisers are expecting a similar response again this year. Every single one of them is part of the event – and with that part of the safety concept. Over 170 officials, roughly 2,000 marshals and the international organisational team can only do their job successfully if the fans are on board. With this in mind, the organisers are grateful to everyone who contributes to the success of the event by purchasing tickets, showing discipline at the spectator points, and behaving responsibly with regard to residents and the environment. The message is clear: using fan zones means doing one’s bit to help achieve a safe rally with perfect action and fairness towards locals and the surrounding area. Anyone who adheres to the rules is not only making the CER an unforgettable motorsport experience, but also a festival that thrives on the support of everyone involved.