WRC - Rough terrain and river crossings ready to challenge drivers on Rally Argentina
WRC - 2017 Rally Argentina - Preview
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The FIA World Rally Championship contenders head back to the Americas and a country where the passion for motor sport is like nowhere else. YPF Rally Argentina (27-30 April) is a firm favourite on the calendar and one of the most diverse with its contrast between soft and sandy gravel roads to the south and the rock strewn narrow stages high in the Traslasierra mountains to the west of the rally base in Villa Carlos Paz. Running as the fifth round of the series this year, the event remains in the southern hemisphere’s early autumn, bringing with it the potential for inclement weather and dense fog, especially at altitude. Numerous river crossings also characterise South America’s round of the Championship. Rally Argentina was first held in 1980 in Tucumán province and, after a year in Bariloche in 1983, then found its home in Villa Carlos Paz, 700 kilometres from Buenos Aires, in 1984. Nowhere else do the World Rally Championship contenders receive such a warm and passionate welcome from motor sport fanatics at they do in Argentina. They turn out in their tens of thousands, camping along the route and creating a carnival atmosphere with their tents, campervans and traditional barbeques. After four events on different surfaces, four different crews from each of the four manufacturers have stood on the top step of the podium, underlining the success of the new World Rally Car regulations. So, as the contenders head to South America for another fresh challenge, everything remains wide open in what is proving to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable championships in years. Two stages will be broadcast live internationally; SS13 on Saturday and the closing Power Stage (SS18) on Sunday. ROUTE GRAPHICS
The route for the 2017 Rally Argentina is largely the same as last year. The event kicks off on Thursday evening with the mixed surface 1.75-kilometre super special in the City of Córdoba before heading south into the Santa Rosa de Calamuchita mountains on Friday. Two loops of three stages await and the San Agustín-Villa General Belgrano stage kicks off the action, the 19.95 kilometre run returning for the first time since 2008. Saturday’s route in the Punilla Valley is the longest competitively and the classic Tanti-Villa Bustos stage will be run in the opposite direction, starting on asphalt in the town. Sunday, as always, is the shortest and takes in the spectacular landscapes of Traslasierra and the Mina Clavero and El Cóndor stages. WHAT WE SAID… “Rally Argentina is another distinctive and demanding event, and the people have huge enthusiasm for motor sport,” said Jarmo Mahonen, FIA Rally Director. “The stages vary a lot in character and the weather can be really changeable, so it’s going to be a fifth very different test for the new cars, as well as the tyres. With four different winners already this season, once again it’s going to be fascinating to see who comes out on top." RALLY DATA
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
RALLY ARGENTINA TIMETABLE AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ORGANISED BY THE FIA
FIA PRESS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE
MANUFACTURER ENTRIES, RALLY ARGENTINA
ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS The provisional classifications for all the WRC Championships can be found on the following link: http://www.fia.com/events/world-rally-championship/season-2017/standings Shortly after the finish of the event, a downloadable stage chart showing the progressive positions of the leading crews during the rally will be available. This is copyright free for editorial purposes and available at the following link: http://www.fia.com/events/world-rally-championship/season-2017/stage-chart-16 |
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