This year’s edition of the Croatia Rally once again carries a strong domestic presence with Croatian crews highly motivated to take on the world’s rally elite in front of their home fans. The blend of experience, youth, and knowledge of demanding local roads further raises expectations and fan interest along the stages.
At the forefront of the Croatian lineup is two-time national champion Viliam Prodan, competing alongside co-driver Marko Stiperski in the competitive Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. Their strong partnership and experience, combined with excellent knowledge of the Istrian stages, could prove crucial in the fight for a strong result, especially on sections run in front of local supporters.
Also competing in the Rally2 category are Eris Marotti and Aleksandra Devunić. Marotti brings years of experience from the national championship, while Devunić adds not only her own Croatia Rally experience but also a rich family rally heritage, making this crew particularly intriguing.
In the Rally4 category, several motivated Croatian crews will represent the national colors. Tomas Hrvatin and Đani Simčić stand out with their appearance on home soil in the Kvarner region, where they will enjoy strong support from fans. Joining them are Croatian vice-champions Vjekoslav Čičko and Eugen Kokolić, as well as Igor Tomljanović and Tomislav Škreblin who continue to build their rally careers. Experience and consistency come from Igor Mandić, who has been competing in the Croatian Championship since 2012 and this will be his third start at the WRC edition of the Croatia Rally, together with co-driver Albert Ivančić.
For all Croatian crews, competing at the Croatia Rally carries special significance. Beyond the sporting challenge, it is an opportunity to prove themselves in front of home fans. This combination of emotion, pressure, and international competition makes their performances one of the most compelling aspects of the entire event.
