Borne Sulinowo was a secret military base used by the Wehrmacht and later the Soviet Army, remaining completely absent from maps until the mid-1990s.
The rally name 'Gąsienice i Podkowy' translates to 'Tracks and Horseshoes', reflecting a blend of heavy tracked military machinery and local equestrian traditions.
The event terrain includes former Soviet barracks, bunkers, and wide roads originally designed for heavy armored convoys.
The rally often attracts unique, privately restored vehicles that are rarely displayed in standard national museums.
Participants frequently engage in off-road obstacle courses constructed specifically within the town's sprawling forest and sandy outskirts.
The International Military Vehicle Rally 'Gąsienice i Podkowy' is the largest gathering of its kind in Poland, held annually in the former secret Soviet garrison town of Borne Sulinowo. The event transforms the town’s expansive post-military grounds into a living museum featuring hundreds of tanks, armored personnel carriers, and vintage military transport vehicles. Attendees can observe dynamic field displays, tank rides, and historical reenactments that leverage the town's unique Cold War architectural legacy. The rally grounds occupy the historical heart of a site that was once entirely omitted from official maps due to its sensitive status as a Red Army base. It serves as a primary hub for collectors, military historians, and enthusiasts of off-road vehicle performance. The event emphasizes technical displays, vehicle parades, and the preservation of decommissioned military hardware.
The main rally field during the scheduled armored vehicle parade.
Wear sturdy, dust-resistant footwear as the rally grounds consist largely of unpaved sandy tracks and forest paths.
Bring ear protection, especially if planning to stay near the dynamic field displays or tank maneuvering zones.
Book local accommodation well in advance, as the small town reaches full capacity during the peak rally days.
Do not wander into unmarked or fenced-off wooded areas surrounding the town, as some remnants of the military base may still be unstable.
The event is held annually, typically in late summer; it is not a year-round permanent exhibition.
Respect all safety cordons around moving heavy machinery and follow marshals' instructions during vehicle displays.
