April 19- 26, 2008 - centraleuroperally.com

Central Europe Rally

HUNGARY

The term 'Central Europe' makes perfect sense in Hungary, which is at the heart of the continent, both geographically and historically. Its capital, Budapest, is equidistant from Moscow, London, Barcelona and Oslo. It is this position that made it one of the pioneering states in the transition brought about in the east at the turn of the 21st century, and which led it to join the European Union in 2004. This act of opening up to the outside translates the will of the Magyar people, for a long time forced to live in relative isolation due to a barely accessible language, to develop internationally.

The Hungarian territory, which covers around 100,000 km2, is, like its capital, cut in two by the Danube, which crosses it from north to south before continuing its path to Serbia, Romania and the Black Sea. The Central Europe rally will visit the east bank of the river, with the large expanses of the "Great Plain" as far as the frontier with Romania, and the "Transdanubia", with the vast Lake Balaton. The final finish will be decided here on its banks.

Hungary and sport

In terms of sport, Hungary is the birthplace of the Rubik's Cube, but above all that of footballer Ferenc Puskas, who led the fabled "Golden Team" in the 1950s and 60s. Apart from the Olympic title won at the Helsinki games, the highlight of the national team is the historic victory over the English at Wembley (3-6). The performance of the Galloping Major and his troop is still the stuff of conversations almost half a century later.

The Hungarians celebrate more regularly the success of their water polo team. With eight Olympic titles and twelve European titles, over the generations, Hungarian polo players have become an authority in the sport.

In motor sports, the Formula 1 Grand Prix near Budapest attracts a lot of attention. There is also the Hungarian Baja, created in 2004, which welcomed around 80 vehicles at its last edition. Drivers who have taken part in rally-raids outside their country's frontiers have also shown their worth. In automobile sports, Laslo Palik finished the Dakar 2005 in 18th position, the best result by a Hungarian, and in motorbike sports, the endurance champion Akos Varga entered the Top 30 in the same year.

In brief

Population : 9 981 334 hab.
Population: 9 981 334 inhabitants
Area: 93 030 km2
Capital: Budapest (1 750 000 inhabitants)
Currency: Forint
Official language: Hungarian (Magyar)
Principal towns: Debrecen (205 000 inhab.), Miskolc (178 000), Szeged (161 000), Pecs (157 000) and Gyor (129 000)