Rules 2027

The aim of the event is to cover an off-road route from start to finish as quickly and safely as possible, while treating your vehicle gently.

Driving on sections of land or tracks that are clearly private is prohibited, and you must observe prohibition signs put up by the authorities or by the organiser! We monitor tracks that are problematic in this respect. As the organiser cannot control the whole area, responsibility and liability always remain with the participants.

The vehicles' start numbers must always be legible and clean when passing through the start and the finish!

Of course we do not want to make ourselves, or you, thoroughly unpopular with the locals and residents along the route, so we do everything we can to leave these people with a nice and friendly impression and not to bother them unnecessarily with dust and noise.

For inhabited areas (from 1 house! – whether occupied or not) two different speed limits apply throughout the entire event:

• Asphalt roads: maximum 30 km/h
• Gravel roads: maximum 15 km/h

These speed limits set by us take precedence over the road traffic regulations! Even if there is, for example, a 50 km/h sign, 30 km/h applies!!!

Definition of an inhabited area: it is obvious (you see a house/hut/dwelling, or several houses/huts/dwellings) that you are driving past and people could be there.

The speed limits begin as soon as you see a house/hut/dwelling and/or from the town sign. They end 100 m after the house/hut/dwelling or after the end-of-town sign!

In villages you must always expect free-roaming animals and children. There are no zebra crossings and no pedestrian lights there! Everything happens on the road!

We will place particular emphasis on the speed limit and will check and read it out using marshals and the GPS loggers!

• Exceeding the limit by 10 km/h = 5 hours penalty time per vehicle per offence
• Exceeding the limit by 20 km/h = 10 hours penalty time per offence
• After 2 offences, exclusion from the event (per vehicle)!
• Exceeding the limit by more than 30 km/h = immediate disqualification and exclusion of the whole team!

Along the stages you will meet locals – in whatever form. Be aware that we are tolerated guests, and behave accordingly, that is, the way you would expect others to behave if they drove past your home. When you meet people, reduce your speed enough that you can pass safely and without raising dust. With herds of livestock or horse-drawn carts, stop and let them pass. With pedestrians, raise as little dust as possible and keep enough distance! If you meet timber haulers or tractors, give them plenty of room.

Of course children along the way are pleased to get something sweet, and forestry workers a few cigarettes or a cold beer from the cool box. It would be nice if everyone had something with them.

Throughout the entire event you drive on public tracks and roads – for the most part even in several national parks. There can be oncoming traffic at any time and anywhere! In every case the national road traffic regulations apply, together with our rules! Driving across meadows or fields is strictly forbidden! Always stay on tracks! Rivers may only be crossed at a ford! No vehicle washing in the rivers and no unnecessary driving in the rivers. Our permits are valid only for the routes given in the roadbooks. As we are not allowed to drive certain tracks, anyone who breaks this rule may be prosecuted under civil and criminal law! It is also strictly forbidden to saw off, saw into or saw down any trees!!! If a tree is lying in your way, try to drive around it or over it by the shortest route and use the waffle boards and/or sand ladders to get through. Of course you can also use the winch to pull the tree aside. Never use saws (whether chainsaws or hand saws!!!).

Leaving the tracks (driving on meadows, in the forest, in rivers, cross-country): 5 hours penalty time, up to disqualification and exclusion; the criminal consequences are passed on to the participants.

There are exceptions for corridors (where present). In the corridors you can choose your own routes and do not have to drive on tracks. They are marked in the roadbook where applicable.

In Serbia a limit of 0.30 per mille applies in road traffic! The police check this very strictly, and the penalties are correspondingly high, up to and including confiscation of the vehicle. Everyone is responsible for this themselves! Taking part in the Transsylvania-Trophy under the influence of alcohol is not allowed.

During the timed part, all vehicles and teams must carry the required mandatory equipment in the vehicle! At any time our crew may check your equipment along the way. Especially in the special stages, you will need parts of the mandatory equipment.

Please ALWAYS behave fairly and helpfully towards others! If teams are faster than you, make room and let them overtake. If a team needs help, help them. Along the tracks it can also happen that paths are impassable and have to be repaired or made passable. Do this as a team with the other participants, and do not wait as the tenth car until the first team has done the work at that spot. You all benefit!

Time credits will be given for helping other teams (recovery after a roll-over, …). This does not apply if someone helps another to change a tyre or similar.

In the case of deliberately unsporting, unfair or even dangerous behaviour, we reserve the right to exclude these teams from the event (by vote, in agreement with the rest of the field)! An exclusion always applies to the whole team and not just to one person! If you are excluded, there is no entitlement to a refund of the entry fee or anything similar!

The start order is determined by the prologue, special stages, special tasks, a draw or the previous day's result.

The team that was fastest the previous day starts first on the next day.

The time gap between teams at the start is 2 minutes. The order of the team start times is posted by 8:00 in the morning at the latest, but usually the evening before!

For example: team 1 starts at 9:30, team 2 at 9:32, team 3 at 9:34.

If a team does not arrive at the start on time (e.g. because of a repair, oversleeping, …), the set start time still stands and the clock runs from the planned start time – no matter how much later the team actually sets off after the start time! Every team must have ALL the team's GPS loggers switched on at least 5 minutes BEFORE THE START. Only then will the team be scored!

Every team must stand still at the start line for at least 10 seconds! No “flying start”!

All the information needed to drive the stages is written out in the daily documents and handed to each team at the start. Daily stages can consist of free navigation, roadbooks and special stages, either separately or combined.

At the finish, all the documents must be handed back to the crew together. Only then will your time be scored!

You will have to make tactical decisions several times, concerning driving time, distance, time spent and so on.

It can happen that there are mistakes in a roadbook (intended or not). Then it is also a tactical decision whether to search for 3 hours, or to drive straight to the next checkpoint by the shortest route outside the roadbook and rejoin the roadbook there. The same applies to extremely difficult sections that, for tactical reasons, you had better / should drive around.

Before the start, every vehicle receives a GPS logger that records the route you drive in detail. The recording contains the exact GPS coordinates of your route at 5-metre intervals, plus the speed and time at every point. The GPS loggers are fixed in your vehicle (ideally near the windscreen) and must be supplied with 12 volts continuously.

The GPS loggers need a USB socket with permanent power.

Shortly before the start (5 minutes before), every GPS logger must be switched on BY THE TEAMS THEMSELVES and checked to be working properly (the indicator light on the logger must BLINK)! At the finish, the GPS loggers are read out by the Transsylvania-Trophy crew, the data is deleted and the loggers are switched off.

The driving teams are responsible for the loggers and must make sure that the loggers are not covered so that they get a GPS signal and that the permanent power supply is in place. This is decisive for a correct evaluation of the daily stages!

If a team forgets to switch on the GPS loggers and reading them out is not possible, the daily stage is scored with a total time of 20 hours.

A TREE STRAP must be used every time a winch is used! When using steel cables, gloves and a protective blanket over the cable must be used.

When winching, crossing other cables is forbidden!

For violations: 180 minutes penalty time, or disqualification if there is imminent danger! Photo documentation!

HELMETS ARE ABSOLUTELY COMPULSORY between start and finish!!!! Exception: the lunch break!

We expressly point out that, as organiser, we accept no liability whatsoever in the event of injury if someone is not wearing a helmet! Everyone is responsible for their own head!

In principle, all types of navigation and navigation tools are allowed. But: you will not always be able / allowed to use all the tools together. Everyone should be familiar with using a compass, dividers and a set square! Also with transferring coordinates onto maps.

We distinguish 2 different categories of waypoints / checkpoints:

Special stages are tasks to be completed with or without a vehicle, as a team or individually, and for which you will need your mandatory equipment. Special stages usually belong to the themes of outdoor, navigation, dexterity or off-road.

The exact task is given on site each time.

The result of the special stage(s) is used for scoring and, among other things, also determines the start order, and thus the starting sequence, for the next day. In some special stages the driving time is stopped on arrival and only started again when you continue. It is also possible that special stages have to be completed within the daily stage and that there are no extra times for them.

The regular daily driving time is 9 hours (including a 1-hour mandatory break) from the start. If a team has not reached the finish even after 9 hours, 16 hours are entered in the scoring as the day's time.

The start office is staffed from 9:15 until 15 minutes after the regular finish time of the last team to start! For example: start time of the last team 10:45 – start office open until 20:00

If a team only reaches the finish after the regular driving time, the crew must have the GPS loggers read out by 9:15 the next day at the latest. This team then automatically starts last on the next day. If several teams reach the finish after the regular driving time, the start time is determined by a draw.

On every daily stage, an uninterrupted break of at least 60 minutes (longer is welcome – if it fits within the 9 hours total time) must be taken at a place we specify. The break time is read out from the GPS logger or entered and signed out on the control card by the crew on the spot.

The break points will be included in the roadbook!

If the break is shorter than the specified “compulsory break”, there is a time penalty of 3 hours.

The following are counted as vehicle damage: broken glass (all windows on the vehicle, all lights on the vehicle) and loss of parts (bumpers, bonnets, wings, etc.). Small dents (e.g. from branches) and scratches do not count towards the scoring. A small dent = smaller than 5 cm in diameter and less than 5 mm deep. Temporarily sticking parts back on still counts as damage! Only parts that are properly bolted on are not counted as damage. Damage that can be repaired must be repaired before reaching the finish line!

Time penalty per item of vehicle damage: 30 minutes (e.g.: 1 headlight + 1 side window = 60 minutes penalty time)

Scoring is based on driving time + reaching the checkpoints along the route + special stages + various penalty times, calculated in minutes. Kilometres driven or not driven are NOT scored.

Scoring runs from the set start time until, on return, the last vehicle of the team has crossed the finish line. This is measured in minutes – according to the start clock! All vehicles that started in the team must always reach the finish! Even if it happens on a tow rope.

If a vehicle of the team suffers a total breakdown and does not reach the finish, the team is scored with a total of 15 hours for that day. In the case of total vehicle breakdowns, new teams can be formed for the next day. This must be announced to the organisers before the next start, by 9:15 at the latest.

If individual vehicles drop out, larger teams can also be formed. If a team takes in a vehicle from another team, or is assigned one, it receives a one-off time credit of 1 hour for this, from day 2 onwards.

If no team can be found that takes in the vehicle, a draw is held among the last 7 placed teams to decide who takes it in. No objection can be made to this.

During the daily tracks, any help from outside persons is forbidden within the timed scoring. This includes repairing vehicle damage, supplying spare parts, navigation, determining your position, supplying items, or whatever else! Exceptions are emergencies or recovery after an accident, roll-over, etc. – if the team then abandons the daily stage. A violation leads, WITHOUT prior warning and without exception, to disqualification for the daily stage driven.

Of course, help between the driving teams is expressly allowed and welcome!

The ban only concerns help from accompanying persons who travelled with you and are not actively taking part in the Trophy!

After the daily stage has been completed, the accompanying persons may of course help you.

In emergencies all the rules lapse, and health and safety have top priority!

EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

Police: 192 Rescue/Ambulance: 194 Fire brigade: 193

After first aid / making the scene safe, please first call the emergency number you need and then call the organisers or send an SMS with GPS coordinates, your last position in the start documents and what kind of help you need, so that we can come to your aid.

for example:

• GPS: 48.239172, 16.514564
• Roadbook: after 67
• Roll-over

99% of the time, SMS messages are sent even with minimal reception. If sending has still failed after several minutes, look for a place where you get reception (summit, high ground, the other side of the mountain, etc.).

For minor injuries a medical team accompanies us and is with us 24 hours a day. There is a hospital about 25 km away. Always bear in mind, though, that in Serbia there are NO helicopter rescues! You should base your actions on that!

Please take your rubbish out of the terrain with you and do not leave it lying along the way. Although you will certainly drive over various heaps of rubbish on the way, we want to lead by example…

To the smokers: please do not throw burning cigarettes out of the vehicles, but use ashtrays in your vehicles! ABSOLUTE FIRE HAZARD in the forests!!!

If repairs are necessary within the hotel grounds, please do not do them directly in front of the hotel entrance! Please do not drain oil or anything similar!

Our crew is happy to help you with tyre repairs and with finding spare parts or a workshop! For this, an order form will be left at reception and will be processed at 19:00 in the evening. Once it is completely filled in, we will try to organise the spare parts. The costs for the spare parts and the necessary transport must be borne by the participants themselves! We only help to organise the parts needed. It is not our responsibility to guarantee supply, however! If a spare part is available, we do everything we can to get it to the event venue as quickly as possible.

No spare parts, tyres or equipment may be stored on the hotel grounds or in the hotel room! The trailer car park is intended for that!!

In 2027 there are again 2 groups. 1 x the Transsylvania-Trophy group/class (TTK) and 1 x the OPEN group/class (TT-OK).

Only off-road vehicles with four-wheel drive and a maximum permissible gross weight of up to 3500 kg are eligible. A low-range transfer gearbox is strongly recommended!!

Every vehicle must have a §57a/TÜV/HU inspection (roadworthiness inspection), be officially registered for road traffic and be 100% technically sound. Taking part in the event with short-term or trade plates is not possible!

Modifications not entered in the vehicle registration document, such as larger tyres, short-arm suspensions at the original mounting points and bolt-on portal boxes, are tolerated.

MAXIMUM TYRE SIZE in the TTK: 37“!! Anything larger goes into the TTOK group.

With the already endlessly long rules, we want to keep things as simple as possible, so the following applies for us:

If a vehicle is properly registered, as far as we can see, and above all has a valid TÜV / §57 inspection, has number plates and the matching papers in which the chassis numbers also match, and meets the vehicle criteria in the rules, then we will allow this vehicle to start – because it is then officially approved for traffic by the authorities. Engine modifications without registration are also tolerated!

Brakes, including handbrakes, must work 100%! The crew will check this by spot checks!

The original dimensions of the vehicle must roughly match those of the original, or the changes must have been officially approved. (E.g. pick-up with a shortened load bed = OK)! Winch bumpers that change the original vehicle length are tolerated. More extensive modifications fall into the TTOK group!

Springs and suspension must be mounted at the original mounting points (no coil-spring suspension instead of leaf-spring suspension, no coilovers, no long-arm suspensions – even if it is registered!). Double shock absorbers are allowed if they are fitted with an adapter at the original mounting points. Engine modifications are permitted!!

THE OPEN CLASS is where all other vehicles fit that do not fit into the TT group and, for example, have long-arm suspensions, tyres larger than 37“, portal axles, etc. fitted. Buggies also fall into this group.

If a vehicle leaks fluids (oil, coolant, petrol, diesel, …), it will not be allowed to start!!

Hard, but drivable!

The Transsylvania-Trophy should be drivable without damage for everyone with near-standard (NOT STANDARD) vehicles of the condition stated above, including a winch, and with team spirit, in fine weather, using the mandatory equipment. That is the foundation of the Transsylvania-Trophy!

As it is natural terrain, however, the terrain can change at any time through all kinds of environmental influences. All the routes we will drive have already been driven with vehicles. If a section is too hard for a team, there will always be a way to bypass this hard section, or to leave the roadbook via tracks and get back to the finish by other routes.

Parking is free of charge for all participants, both at the trailer car park and at the hotel car park! Towing vehicles and trailers are parked at the outer car park (about 7 km from the hotel) in such a way that it will be possible to get to them or drive away at any time.

Parking on the hotel grounds is possible only for event vehicles, without exception.

Trailers and towing vehicles, together with all the equipment, must be left at the outer car park! There is an absolute parking ban on the hotel grounds for the teams' support vehicles.

If vehicles other than the event vehicles or trailers are found on the hotel grounds parked there for longer than 10 minutes, the whole team receives a time penalty of 2 hours.

Please do not enter the hotel in your “off-road shoes”. There is a separate room where you can change your shoes. Shoes can also be dried there if you ever get wet feet. Please bring your own hotel shoes.

We would like to point out once again that the costs of any vehicle and/or person recoveries, and the resulting costs (for example for damage to farmland or crops, oil spills, damage, the recovery costs themselves, etc.), must be borne by each participant themselves.

If there are disagreements about the interpretation of the rules or the scoring, a protest can be lodged. This must be done on the same day as the result being contested. A jury then decides, made up of one organiser representative and two independent driver representatives. The decision (majority vote) of this jury is final. No protest can be made against this decision.

The protest fee is €500! If the protest is upheld, the 500 euros are refunded. If not, there will be free beer for everyone until the money is gone.