Step into a world where nature’s fury meets raw determination—the Croatia Trophy. Known as one of Europe’s most punishing off-road races, this event challenges drivers and co-drivers to confront deep water crossings, endless mud, and unpredictable weather, pushing both man and machine to their very limits. Here, competitors leave all preconceptions behind, embracing a relentless struggle that tests every ounce of endurance, skill, and grit. Welcome to the Croatia Trophy, where only the brave dare to compete, and victory is earned one grueling, muddy mile at a time. Are you ready to discover everything about the Croatia Trophy: A Test of Grit and Glory.
Embracing the Challenge: The Croatia Trophy
The Croatia Trophy stands as one of Europe’s most punishing off-road competitions. A relentless battle against water, mud, and extreme weather, it pushes teams and vehicles beyond their limits. For an entire week, competitors endure mechanical failures, brutal terrain, and fierce rivalry among Europe’s top off-road teams. The race’s grueling nature has cemented its status as one of the toughest off-road challenges on the continent.
Every year, elite off-road teams journey to Croatia—not for a relaxing retreat, but to step into an arena where only the toughest survive. These modern-day gladiators, drivers and co-drivers alike, take on courses designed to break both man and machine. The Croatia Trophy is the ultimate test of endurance, skill, and sheer determination.
For the Fearless Few
Defining the Croatia Trophy in words alone is no easy task. It is an unrelenting struggle through deep water crossings and endless mud, a battle that wears down even the most seasoned off-roaders. Yet, beyond the physical hardship, it is a test of mental resilience. Success demands seamless cooperation between driver and co-driver, precise navigation through treacherous landscapes, and the willpower to keep pushing forward despite exhaustion.
Strategy is paramount. Only those who carefully manage their resources, protect their vehicles, and maintain their strength stand a chance of finishing the race. Even then, victory is never guaranteed. A deceptive river or an unforgiving swamp, mere meters from the final checkpoint, can shatter even the best-laid plans.
Merely reaching the start line of the Croatia Trophy is an achievement in itself. Those who accept the challenge are signing up for nature’s harshest trials, a showdown with the world’s best off-roaders, and an opportunity to prove their mettle in a race where determination reigns supreme.
The Man Behind the Legend: Igor Božiković
At the core of the Croatia Trophy is Igor Božiković, the visionary who transformed it into one of the most formidable off-road events in the world. As Race Director and course designer, Igor has shaped the event with a meticulous eye for challenge and fairness. A former police officer, his stern and disciplined demeanor commands respect, but beneath it lies an unwavering passion for off-roading and a deep commitment to the integrity of competition.
Igor’s reputation extends far beyond his authority—his fairness, dedication, and organizational prowess have earned him the admiration of competitors and enthusiasts alike. The Croatia Trophy is a reflection of his values: demanding, unyielding, and rewarding only to those who truly earn it.
“Leave Everything Behind”
The Croatia Trophy is not just a competition; it is an ordeal that strips participants of all certainties. Its motto, “Leave everything behind,” is more than a slogan—it’s a philosophy. Like Dante’s Inferno warned travelers to abandon all hope, this race demands that competitors relinquish comfort, expectations, and hesitation. Success here is forged in resilience, resourcefulness, and sheer willpower.
Croatia Trophy a Journey Through Time
First edition of the Croatia Trophy took place in 2000 with departure from Karlovac, a city in the north-west of Croatia, capital of the homonymous region, and finish in Umag, the westernmost municipality in Croatia located in the Istrian region.
In the early years, until 2003, the Croatia Trophy was an itinerant race starting in the surroundings of Karlovac and arriving in various Dalmatian towns. The latest edition of this itinerant series arrived on the sea in Zadar, renowned for the Roman and Venetian ruins that are part of its peninsular historical center.
In 2004 the race partially ceased its itinerant identity with only 2 base camps: departure from Vojnič (Karlovac region), base camp 1 at the Petrova Gora monument and base camp 2 on the hills west of Dvor (central Croatia in the region of Sisak and Moslavina).
If there was only one category in the early years of the Croatia Trophy, 2 categories have been established since 2004: Trophy and Adventure.
Since 2005 the base camp has become one near the Petrova Gora monument in the Karlovac region.
From 2006 to 2017, the Croatia Trophy base camp moved to Topusko in the Sisak and Moslavina region. Tokusko has become in the common imagination as the home of the Croatia Trophy and is the place where the most important moments of this race were celebrated.
2018 sees the suspension of scouting due to a strong blizzard in the first days of March with trees cut down and the impossibility of proceeding with the drafting of the road books. Igor Božiković was forced to cancel the event.
In 2019 the Croatia Trophy takes place in a new location near Petrinja, a central Croatian city close to Sisak. The headquarters of the competition was set up at an ex-school made available by the local administration with offices, press rooms, warehouse, canteen, kitchen, bathrooms, showers and bars.
In 2019, a third of the two existing categories (Trophy and Adventure) has been added: the Legend categories is dedicated to vehicles with a light preparations that do not alter their factory characteristics.
A Legacy of Perseverance
Through decades of evolution, the Croatia Trophy has remained true to its essence—a relentless, unforgiving, and exhilarating contest that pushes the boundaries of human endurance. More than a race, it is a crucible where only the most determined dare to compete, and only the strongest emerge victorious.
To take on the Croatia Trophy is to embrace the struggle, to abandon all hesitation, and to push forward—one grueling, mud-soaked step at a time.
Victory Unveiled: Presenting all the Champions
Trophy
2019:
1° Jim Marsden & James Ayre
2° Helder Da Rocha & Flavio Gomes
3° Vallo Sassi & Ats Tsupsman
2018: (no race)
2017:
1° Tarvo Klaasimae & Kjur Oiala
2° Hardo Mere & Joonas Oja
3° Joel Purga & Lauri Junkin
2016:
1° Andrey Ponomarev & Sergey Ivanov
2° Kalmar & Eigner
3° Szilard Magyar & Krisztian Kovacs
2015:
1° Jim Marsden & Wayne Smith
2° Andrey Ponomarev & Sergey Ivanov
3° Szilard Magyar & Mihaly Eigner
2014:
1° Christian Propask & Josef Reinisch
2° Christian Uhlig & Stefan Maushardt
3° Antoine Reul & Benoit Reul
2013:
1° Csaba Boros & Mihaly Eigner
2° Szilard Magyar & Krisztian Kovacs
3° Roman Kulbak & Arkadiy Aronov
2012:
1° Alexey Golubev & Imre Poom
2° Csaba Boros & Mihaly Eigner
3° Hendrik De Nijs & Andries De Nijs
2011:
1° Jim Marsden & Wayne Smith
2° Hendrik De Nijs & Andries De Nijs
3° Simon Buck & Matthew Cook
2010:
1° Thomas Shuker & Jasmin Moll
2° Lorenzo Savini & Romeo Manzan
3° Csaba Boros & Konya Zoltan
2009:
1° Mark Eyckens & Jo Raemen
2° Thomas Shuker & Jasmin Moll
3° Burkhard Eggeman & Dennis Nedobitkin
2008:
1: Thomas Shuker & Jasmin Moll
2° Harald Seyfried & Gerald Haidinger
3° Jim Marsden & Chris Abel
2007:
1° Mark Eyckens & Jo Raemen
2° Dany Vanbegin & Walter Swaenepoel
3° Harald Seyfried & Dieter Gilnreiner
2006:
1° Dariusz Luberda & Szymon Polak
2° Simon Van Der Velde & Peter Arends
3° Jadranko Kovac & Slavko Povrlisek
2005:
1° Simon Van Der Velde & Peter Arends
2° Thomas Shuker & Jasmin Moll
3° – – –
2004:
1° Simon Van Der Velde & Peter Arends
2° Mark Eyckens & Daniel Molemans
3° – – –
2003:
1° Henrik Strasser & Michael Kuerbs
2° – – –
3° – – –
2002:
1° Maurice Ubachs & Maurice Van Weersch
2° Henrik Strasser & Michael Kuerbs
3° – – –
2001: (no race)
2000:
1° Friedrer Schwartz & Schwartz
2° Maurice Ubachs & Maurice Van Weersch
3° Eibl & Zach
Adventure
2019:
1° Sjoerd Wijnia & Eric Plomp
2° Urmas Uffert & Kaido Kallavus
3° Franck Daurelle & Francoise Hollender
2018: (no race)
2017:
1° Simone Cognini & Andrea Aguzzi
2° Filippo Morandini & Samuele Morganti
3° Eric Plomp & Johan Van Der Maas
2016:
1° Joel Purga & Lauri Junkin
2° Mere & Lippasaar
3° Metsis & Mumme
2015:
1° Victor Stolyarchuk & Maxim Kamishow
2° Alexander Tyurin & Nataliya Tyurina
3° Romain Porchere & Anthony Nolin
2014:
1° Victor Stolyarchuk & Maxim Kamyshow
2° Aleksey Bogodistov & Vladimir Kotelnikov
3° Alexander Tyurin & Nataliya Tyurina
2013:
1° Victor Stolyarchuk & Alexey Shokin
2° Aleksey Bogodistov & Vladimir Kotelnikov
3° Alexander Tyurin & Nataliya Tyurina
2012:
1° Victor Stolyarchuk & Alexey Shokin
2° Georg Lach & Christoph Mostler
3° Janez Krivic & Klemen Krivic
2011:
1° Yuri Selifonov & Dmitry Sokolov
2° Georg Lach & Christoph Mostler
3° Mark Vinck & Pascal Sanders
2010:
1° Yuri Selifonov & Alexander Nadkin
2° Robert Gall & Edwin Berger
3° Stephan Färber & Susanne Färber
Legend
2019:
1° Vladimir Krechitov & Igor Chernenko
2° Steven Giusti & Mirko Alba 3° Arthur Toumanov – Uladzimir Rudnitski
