Hungarian Off-Road Challenge

Hungary , Hosszúhetény
6 – 10 April 2026
Organiser:  Hungarian Off-Road Challenge
Location coordinates:  N 46.175491,   E 18.350074 (Not exact coordinates)

Information

The entry fee of the Hungarian Offroad Challenge is 300.000 HUF /approx. 800Eur, which will cover the entire completion of a multi-day, high-quality official offroad competition. This amount will be possible to be arranged in two installments.  
Maximum number of entries, 50 cars❗️  
The entry fee includes:  
• to participate in the race on carefully prepared and authorized tracks  
• vehicle liability insurance prescribed by MNASZ and extreme sports insurance for competitors  
• constant presence of medical and ambulance services on site for maximum safety of the competitors  
• buffet breakfast and dinner in Natur Hotel Kövestet sor on the days of the competition  
The opportunity to register, which will be conducted through a website, will be published next week, i.e. the first week of February. We will definitely notify you beforehand, so that everyone can prepare for it in time!  
🏡 Accommodation information:  
Fortunately, due to the location and the features of Hoszúhetény, everyone can be accommodated nearby (in the Natúr Hotel Kövestet táv or in the village guesthouse within 4-5 km from the depot). We help everybody in this, for the sake of easier communication. We will discuss more details about this after the entries are closed.  
Please note that camping is NOT available on site due to the capacity of the area!!



Rules

VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS AND CATEGORY CLASSIFICATION


Only vehicles that meet all mechanical requirements prescribed by road traffic regulations may participate in the competition. Vehicles must be equipped with the required lighting, signaling devices, and competition equipment.


Participating vehicles are classified into the following categories:

ADVENTURE Category

  • A roll cage is mandatory (minimum requirement: 1 solid hoop bent along or above the roof line, not welded to the roof, with 2 welded supports at its highest point, and 4 solidly fixed mounting points).

  • Portal axles are not permitted in this category.

  • Maximum tire size: 92 cm.

  • Front winch is mandatory.

  • Due to possible night stages, proper vehicle lighting is mandatory.

  • Snow chains are not permitted.

  • Use of a tree-saver strap is mandatory.

  • An 8 m tow rope is mandatory.

  • Tow hook/tow eye is required at both the front and rear of the vehicle.

  • A valid Category B first-aid kit is mandatory.

  • At least 1×2 kg or 2×1 kg certified fire extinguisher(s) are mandatory.

  • 4-point safety harness is mandatory.

  • Both driver and passenger must wear helmets with ECE certification for car/motorcycle or normal road use (leisure helmets are not permitted).

  • If side windows are missing, safety netting is mandatory.

  • The vehicle must not leak oil or any other fluids.

  • Sand ladders and plows are permitted.

  • Use of a Tripmaster is recommended; if unavailable, a mobile phone application may be used.

  • In the service park, the use of a service tarp is mandatory.

CHALLENGE Category

  • A roll cage is mandatory (minimum requirement: 1 solid hoop bent along or above the roof line, not welded to the roof, with 2 welded supports at its highest point, and 4 solidly fixed mounting points).

  • Portal axles are permitted.

  • No tire size limit in this category.

  • Front winch is mandatory.

  • Proper vehicle lighting is mandatory due to possible night stages.

  • Snow chains are not permitted.

  • Use of a tree-saver strap is mandatory.

  • An 8 m tow rope is mandatory.

  • Tow hook/tow eye is required at both the front and rear of the vehicle.

  • A valid Category B first-aid kit is mandatory.

  • At least 1×2 kg or 2×1 kg certified fire extinguisher(s) are mandatory.

  • 4-point safety harnesses are mandatory.

  • Both driver and passenger must wear helmets with ECE certification for car/motorcycle or normal road use (leisure helmets are not permitted).

  • If side windows are missing, safety netting is mandatory.

  • The vehicle must not leak oil or any other fluids.

  • Sand ladders and plows are permitted.

  • Use of a Tripmaster is recommended; if unavailable, a mobile phone application may be used.

  • In the service park, the use of a service tarp is mandatory.

Before the start, all vehicles will undergo technical inspection. Therefore, all required equipment must be prepared by the beginning of scrutineering. Vehicles that do not meet these minimum requirements will not be allowed to start until all deficiencies are corrected.

RULES, REGULATIONS AND PENALTIES

  • All competitors must be adults (except navigators over 16 years of age with written consent from both parents).

  • Competitors must hold a valid Category B driving license.

  • The competition consists of itineraries and special stages.

  • Assistance from third parties is prohibited during the competition.

  • Assistance is permitted only between teams participating in the same stage at the same time.

  • During the competition, helmets must always be worn and seat belts must always be used.

  • Vehicles may not tow any equipment.

  • The driver and navigator may cross the finish line and start only if both are inside the vehicle.

  • Anyone knocking down a pole or tearing a ribbon on a special stage will receive a penalty (10 minutes for a pole, 5 minutes for a ribbon).

  • Time results of speed stages (prologue, circuit race, and the final Friday stage) count triple.

  • Each stage has a maximum time limit; if less than 1/3 of the course is completed within the limit, continuing along the itinerary is pointless.

  • If a team does not reach the stage start line, their total time will be 200% worse than the slowest team completing that stage.

  • If a team starts a stage and completes 20–50%, their total time will be 170% worse than the slowest team completing that stage.

  • If a team starts a stage and completes more than 50%, their time will be 150% of the slowest team’s time for that stage.

  • Each stage has a defined time limit and a specified number of checkpoints.

  • Deviation from the route by more than 200 meters is not permitted and results in DISQUALIFICATION.

  • Before the stage start line, the crew may remove any unnecessary items from the vehicle; such items may not be used before the finish, as they would be considered external assistance.

  • If a team member becomes ill or injured during the competition, they may be replaced by another member.

  • The replaced member may not continue the competition in another vehicle.

  • A team using a substitute member may remain eligible for prizes, and the same member may receive the award.

  • Vehicles may not be replaced.

  • If a vehicle is seriously damaged during the competition, any marshal may stop it and assign a team to repair it. After such an incident, the vehicle must undergo an emergency technical inspection organized by the race director.

  • The driver and navigator may switch positions at any time during the competition.

  • Each team must pay the standard registration fee before technical inspection.

  • Consumption of alcohol or other mind-altering substances during the competition is strictly prohibited.

  • Participants may display any type of advertising on their vehicles, provided it does not obstruct visibility and contains no political or hate speech content.

  • Participants must apply all stickers distributed by the organizing club at the start of the competition.

  • During the official competition stages, only the driver and passenger may be inside the vehicle.

  • On the first day, vehicles start the prologue according to their assigned numbers after all registered vehicles have been inspected. Vehicles that did not start the prologue but wish to compete will receive start numbers in chronological order based on registration, with the slowest competitor’s time plus 20 minutes.

  • The start order of subsequent stages is determined by the results of the previous stage.

  • All teams must appear at all designated time checkpoints.

  • Vehicles start at 2-minute intervals. If a team fails to appear on time, the organizer will start the next team as scheduled. Late teams may start after all vehicles have started, but their time will be counted from their originally scheduled start time.

!!! DISCIPLINE DURING THE COMPETITION !!!

  • All participants must comply with traffic regulations.

  • Drivers must strictly observe speed limits, especially in populated areas and zones highlighted in the itinerary. Any violation results in penalties: 1 km/h over the limit = 10 minutes penalty.

  • During the competition, organizers provide a GPS unit for each vehicle; its use is mandatory.

  • A 30,000 HUF deposit must be paid when receiving the GPS unit.

  • The full deposit will be refunded if the device is returned undamaged and in proper working condition at the end of the competition.

PENALTIES – DISQUALIFICATIONS

  • Teams whose vehicles lack start numbers or sponsor stickers.

  • Any rule violation, misconduct, or unsportsmanlike behavior.

  • Obstructing overtaking (due to breakdown, obstruction, or other reasons); offenders may be removed or documented via audio/video evidence and reported to the organizers.

  • Placing obstacles on the track or moving/removing organizer-placed markers.

  • Consumption of drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicating substances during the competition.

  • Any attempt to cheat regarding the required technical condition of the vehicle.

  • Insulting organizers or marshals by competitors results in exclusion from further competition.

COMPLAINTS

  • All objections or appeals must be submitted in writing to the organizers as soon as possible after the issue arises (immediately after the stage, but before the next stage), along with a 30,000 HUF fee.

  • If the appeal is accepted, the fee will be refunded; if rejected, the fee is retained.

  • Appeals are decided by a committee consisting of:

    • Marshal

    • Organizer

    • Independent member

OTHER PROVISIONS

  • All participants must fully familiarize themselves with the competition rules and confirm this upon arrival by signing the registration form, thereby agreeing to comply with all regulations. Organizers reserve the right to amend the rules if necessary.

  • Participants compete at their own risk and bear full moral, financial, and legal responsibility.

  • Parts of the competition take place on public roads; compliance with traffic police regulations and instructions is mandatory.

  • The organizer reserves the right to modify sections of the itinerary or special stages, suspend the competition, or exclude teams from further participation if necessary.



PROGRAM

MONDAY 06.04.2026.
  • 10.00 TECHNICAL INSPEKTION
  • 12.00 OPENING CEREMONY
  • 13.30 PROLOGUE
TUESDAY 07.04.2026.
  • 8.30 BRIEFING
  • 9.00 START ROADBOOK
WEDENESDAY 08.04 2026.
  • 8.30 BRIEFING
  • 9.00 CIRCLE RACE
  • 20.00 NIGHT STAGE
THURSDAY 09.04.2026.
  • 8.30 BRIEFING
  • 9.00 START ROADBOOK
FRIDAY 10.04.2026.
  • 8.30 BRIEFING
  • 9.00 SURPRISE RACE
  • 18.00 AWARD CEREMONY



Hungarian Offroad Challenge 2026 MECSEK