Round 1, Austria

Jänner Rallye is one of the most traditional rallies in Austria and the only one winterrally in Central Europe. It was held for the first time 1970. Famous drivers of the rally sport like Stig Blomqvist, Per Engseth, Rudi Stohl, John Haugland, Rauno Aaltonen, Shektar Mehta and Ladislav Křeček participated in the winter event. In 1981 at Jänner Rallye for the first time a 4WD car was used for rallying. It was the birthday of the Audi Quattro. Franz Wittmann won Jännerrallye 1981 with it with more than 20 minutes ahead, 9 victories of Wittmann at Jänner Rallye followed. Sportunion Rallye Club Mühlviertel (RCM) was founded in July 2002 and since then RCM is the organizer of Jännerrallye. In the meantime RCM counts more than 500 members.

Jänner Rallye takes place in Upper Austria, Mühlviertel, district Freistadt. The servicepark, rally-HQ and mediacenter is all together at one area in the middle of the town Freistadt. Within the servicepark an event hall with 3500 m² area host scrutineering, ceremonial start, regroupings and entertainment for rallyfans and teams. Every day 3000 - 5000 people are watching the program and visiting the servicepark.

The rally passes through 12 communities which are: Freistadt, Pregarten, Gutau, Tragwein, St. Oswald, St. Leonhard, Bad Zell, Schönau, Unterweissenbach, Königswiesen, Liebenau and Pierbach. Sealevel between 460 m and 1050 m.

Characteristic of the rally: 100 % tarmac; hilly terrain and technically very demanding; 2 legs, 18 stages with a total length of 237.58 km and a total distance of 846.88 km.

Jännerrallye is characterized by the great athmosphere and excellent hospitality in the region. Every year between 100.000 and 150.000 spectators are visiting Jänner Rallye. The Freistadt-based event is not only a motorsportevent it’s an event celebrated by the public in this region. Mühlviertel and Freistadt – one of the pearl in Upper Austria – welcome all teams and visitors. Visit Mühlviertel.