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Facts & Figures

THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURETHROUGH SOUTH EAST EUROPE

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

In summer 2025, the Balkan Express will start for the 7th time after six magnificent tours since 2018.

The heart of the old Eastern Bloc and the most spectacular routes in south-eastern Europe await you again! Join us and book your unforgettable adventure in south-eastern Europe today. We are only taking a limited number of teams for the start in Dresden.

Rally data and application 2025

21 August - 03 September 2025

Registration opens on July 16, 2024

Start of the rally 2025

21 August 2025 in Dresden
The official rally start takes place in the heart of Dresden. At the start, each team will receive its roadbook.
The evening before, all adventures can get to know each other at the pre-start meeting and tune in to the upcoming adventure with food and drinks.

FINISH LINE 2025

03 September in Salzburg, Austria
In Salzburg we celebrate the successful end of the Balkan Express 2025 with a big closing event and of course an award ceremony. At the finish line, every Balkan Express adventurer will receive their finisher certificate & medal.

YOUR CHARITY

Collect 250 € for great charity projects.
The money can go to projects that we have carefully vetted to ensure that all contributions go where they should—to the people who truly need them. Or you are free to pick a charity project that has always been dear to your heart.
Charity donations can be collected any time from the date you sign up to the moment you cross the Finish Line. More

The vehicle

Cars
Modern classic or vintage cars: 10 years and older (incl. date of manufacture 12/2014)

Motorcycles
Modern classic or vintage motorcycles: 10 years and older (incl. date of manufacture 12/2014) – a motorcycle team can consist of no more than 2 bikes

Vans & Trucks
Modern classic or vintage vans & trucks: 10 years and older (incl. date of manufacture 12/2014). Whether VW Bulli, Magirus Deutz fire truck or A-Team Bus GMC Vandura - at the rally also everything is allowed that is big and loud.
Motorhomes and caravans are not allowed. Vehicles built exclusively as motorhomes, e.g. with alcoves, etc., are not allowed.

Electric vehicles
No age restriction, pure electric drive. Plug-in hybrid vehicles are not permitted.

There is no designated maximum value for your rally vehicle.

 You can still sign up even if you haven’t gotten your vehicle yet. You have until the start of the rally to find your perfect set of wheels.

HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS MAY HAVE A TEAM?

There is no limit, only all of you must fit in the vehicle.

Codex

No GPS, no satnav, no highway - more adventure on the most spectacular backroads!

SAC RALLY COMMUNITY

Become part of an incomparable and unforgettable rally community where friendship, helpfulness and shared adventure take center stage.
Experience your own personal adventure as you embark on a unique journey with like-minded people. The SAC rally community brings together people who share a passion for the unknown and appreciate the value of shared experiences. Whether you are an experienced car enthusiast, adventurer or globetrotter - you will find your crew in our rally community.
Together, we not only master roads and tracks, but also create memories that will last a lifetime. Share your stories, learn from others and experience the fascination of the unpredictable. It's all about the journey - because in our rally community, the journey is the real destination.
Get ready for unforgettable moments, breathtaking landscapes and the freedom that only traveling in good company can offer. Your adventure starts here!

Party Time

We will celebrate with you two wicked rally parties in extraordinary locations somewhere in the wild southeast of Europe. Where exactly will you find out at the start. At the official SAC party stops all teams pitch their tents together. Of course you can also stay there in your own rally bus or truck.
In Salzburg, Austria, we will celebrate the successful end of the Balkan Express with a big closing event and of course an award ceremony

Roadbook

This rally is not about speed. You have the chance to dive even deeper into the adventure by completing tasks in your roadbook.

At the start of the rally, your team will receive the roadbook, packed with great stage suggestions, extraordinary tasks, fun & lots of adventure. You will also find all the information about the meet & greet points and the official SAC rally events on the route in the roadbook.
The tasks and adventures have to be solved in the best possible way with your team until the finish line. Creativity and a talent for improvisation are the key.
However, the roadbook tasks are not compulsory! Always according to the motto: Everything possible, nothing required!

The winner of the Baltic Rallye Winter Edition Roadbook Competition wins a starting spot for another SAC rally of their choice.

RALLY PROCEDURE & SCOPE OF SERVICES

  • Pre-start meeting the evening before with food and welcome drink
  • Official rally start in Dresden with roadbook handover
  • Joint events with all rally teams on the route in unique locations with overnight stay possibilities
  • Finish in Salzburg with award ceremony and closing event as well as handing over the Balkan Express finisher certificate & medal
  • Roadbook: Each team has the chance to dive even deeper into the adventure by completing tasks in their roadbook. The Roadbook Competition includes:
    • Special route guidance with spectacular routes on each stage
    • Various daily tasks
    • Road Missions
    • Action Points
    • Secret Missions
    • Detour Missions
    • The roadbook will be handed out to each team at the start in Dresden.
  • Winner Roadbook Competition:
    • 1st place: A starting spot for a SAC rally of your choice worth EUR 1,490
    • 2nd place: A starting spot for a selected SAC rally
    • 3rd place: A starting spot for a selected SAC rally
  • Rally kit with everything you need for an official rally:
    • Rally car branding with official Balkan Express logos and start numbers
    • rally t-shirt
    • Stickers and merchandising
    • The rally kit will be sent to each team two weeks before the start.
  • SAC Live Tracking App with photo book option
  • How2Roadtrip rally mechanic legend provides support in the event of breakdowns if he is in your area.
  • 24/7 support before, during and after the rally from the SAC team
  • Own team page on the SAC website
  • SAC participant networks before, during and after the rally on various platforms and events
  • Video competition for Balkan Express community clip and aftermovie
  • Not included in the registration fee: Accommodation, meals, ferries, tolls and technical support in the event of breakdowns are generally the responsibility of your team.

Entry Fee

The entry fee for the Balkan Express is 980 € for a team of 2. An entry fee of €300 will be charged for each additional team member.

The entry fee must be credited to the SAC registration account within 3 working days of successful online registration in order for the registration for the Balkan Express Rally to be valid.

The entry fee does not include the €250 donation.

Facts

  • Start in Dresden
  • Finish in Salzburg
  • Classic & vintage cars at least 10 years old OR pure electric
  • No GPS, No SAT NAV
  • Spectacular backroads, no highway
  • Roadbook with exciting challenges and crazy missions
  • 2 PAX team from 980 €