World Rally Championship

Sweden will continue as the curtain raiser to the World Rally Championship season with the only true winter rally of the year. But the 2011 edition of the legendary snow event will be more eagerly anticipated than ever before as it marks the beginning of an exciting era for the WRC with the advent of the new-generation World Rally Car and new tyre regulations. While the cars have changed, the competitive route remains largely unaltered save for day one of the event when competitors will venture over into neighbouring Norway for a unique cross-border stage which runs in both countries, including a second pass under the cover of darkness. The new Power Stage concept will also make its debut on Rally Sweden and will reward the fastest three drivers with bonus points. Karlstad continues to host the event although the permanent service park will once again be located 85 kilometres away in the outskirts of Hagfors, which provides easier access to the forests of the Varmland and Dalarna regions where the bulk of the competitive action will take place. By utilising stages further to the north, it is hoped there will be a greater chance of sufficient snow and the requisite colder temperatures. Those colder temperatures can be as low as minus 25 degrees centigrade. Despite the harsh conditions, fans flock to the stages in greater number to witness the spectacle of drivers charging through ice- and snow-coated roads at full speed, which can be achieved thanks to the metal studded tyres, which bite through the soft snow surface and into the hard-packed ground below. As well as relying on their studded tyres, drivers make the most of the snow banks that line much of the route. They act as soft barriers and enable drivers to ‘lean’ their cars through the corners. However, they represent a major hazard when corners are taken too quickly with several drivers dropping vital time getting stuck or having their radiators filled with snow.

Sweden will continue as the curtain raiser to the World Rally Championship season with the only true winter rally of the year. But the 2011 edition of the legendary snow event will be more eagerly anticipated than ever before as it marks the beginning of an exciting era for the WRC with the advent of the new-generation World Rally Car and new tyre regulations. While the cars have changed, the competitive route remains largely unaltered save for day one of the event when competitors will venture over into neighbouring Norway for a unique cross-border stage which runs in both countries, including a second pass under the cover of darkness. The new Power Stage concept will also make its debut on Rally Sweden and will reward the fastest three drivers with bonus points. Karlstad continues to host the event although the permanent service park will once again be located 85 kilometres away in the outskirts of Hagfors, which provides easier access to the forests of the Varmland and Dalarna regions where the bulk of the competitive action will take place. By utilising stages further to the north, it is hoped there will be a greater chance of sufficient snow and the requisite colder temperatures. Those colder temperatures can be as low as minus 25 degrees centigrade. Despite the harsh conditions, fans flock to the stages in greater number to witness the spectacle of drivers charging through ice- and snow-coated roads at full speed, which can be achieved thanks to the metal studded tyres, which bite through the soft snow surface and into the hard-packed ground below. As well as relying on their studded tyres, drivers make the most of the snow banks that line much of the route. They act as soft barriers and enable drivers to ‘lean’ their cars through the corners. However, they represent a major hazard when corners are taken too quickly with several drivers dropping vital time getting stuck or having their radiators filled with snow.

Sweden will continue as the curtain raiser to the World Rally Championship season with the only true winter rally of the year. But the 2011 edition of the legendary snow event will be more eagerly anticipated than ever before as it marks the beginning of an exciting era for the WRC with the advent of the new-generation World Rally Car and new tyre regulations. While the cars have changed, the competitive route remains largely unaltered save for day one of the event when competitors will venture over into neighbouring Norway for a unique cross-border stage which runs in both countries, including a second pass under the cover of darkness. The new Power Stage concept will also make its debut on Rally Sweden and will reward the fastest three drivers with bonus points. Karlstad continues to host the event although the permanent service park will once again be located 85 kilometres away in the outskirts of Hagfors, which provides easier access to the forests of the Varmland and Dalarna regions where the bulk of the competitive action will take place. By utilising stages further to the north, it is hoped there will be a greater chance of sufficient snow and the requisite colder temperatures. Those colder temperatures can be as low as minus 25 degrees centigrade. Despite the harsh conditions, fans flock to the stages in greater number to witness the spectacle of drivers charging through ice- and snow-coated roads at full speed, which can be achieved thanks to the metal studded tyres, which bite through the soft snow surface and into the hard-packed ground below. As well as relying on their studded tyres, drivers make the most of the snow banks that line much of the route. They act as soft barriers and enable drivers to ‘lean’ their cars through the corners. However, they represent a major hazard when corners are taken too quickly with several drivers dropping vital time getting stuck or having their radiators filled with snow.

Sweden will continue as the curtain raiser to the World Rally Championship season with the only true winter rally of the year. But the 2011 edition of the legendary snow event will be more eagerly anticipated than ever before as it marks the beginning of an exciting era for the WRC with the advent of the new-generation World Rally Car and new tyre regulations. While the cars have changed, the competitive route remains largely unaltered save for day one of the event when competitors will venture over into neighbouring Norway for a unique cross-border stage which runs in both countries, including a second pass under the cover of darkness. The new Power Stage concept will also make its debut on Rally Sweden and will reward the fastest three drivers with bonus points. Karlstad continues to host the event although the permanent service park will once again be located 85 kilometres away in the outskirts of Hagfors, which provides easier access to the forests of the Varmland and Dalarna regions where the bulk of the competitive action will take place. By utilising stages further to the north, it is hoped there will be a greater chance of sufficient snow and the requisite colder temperatures. Those colder temperatures can be as low as minus 25 degrees centigrade. Despite the harsh conditions, fans flock to the stages in greater number to witness the spectacle of drivers charging through ice- and snow-coated roads at full speed, which can be achieved thanks to the metal studded tyres, which bite through the soft snow surface and into the hard-packed ground below. As well as relying on their studded tyres, drivers make the most of the snow banks that line much of the route. They act as soft barriers and enable drivers to ‘lean’ their cars through the corners. However, they represent a major hazard when corners are taken too quickly with several drivers dropping vital time getting stuck or having their radiators filled with snow.

The opening two events of the WRC season couldn’t be more contrasting. Following the high-speed blast through the frozen Swedish forests, WRC crews make the first of two visits to the American continent for the fast rock-strewn stages of Mexico where high ambient temperatures and altitudes provide the main challenge. A new addition to the WRC schedule in 2004, the Leon-based event is famed for its compact route and spectacular ceremonial start in the city of Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The start regularly attracts thousands of fans who will get to savour an extra treat this year with the first running of the Guanajuato Street Stage. Measuring a little more than one kilometre in length, the stage will run through tunnels and high wall-lined cobbled streets with all the action recorded on a close circuit TV system. But it’s the Sierra de Lobos and Sierra de Guanajuato mountains that will continue to host the bulk of the stage action. The high-altitude tests make for spectacular viewing with a mixture of mountain peaks and flat open valleys. The altitude has its downside, however, as the engines struggle to breathe in the thin air and suffer a drop in power of approximately 20 per cent. The road surface is dry and sandy, but with rocks getting pulled onto the road caution is very much the watchword. Like Guanajuato, Leon will also host a street stage on a temporary course close to the indoor service park. The Leon Racing Circuit is also back on the itinerary although the stages will now be run at night to appeal to those fans unable to watch the action during the day.

The opening two events of the WRC season couldn’t be more contrasting. Following the high-speed blast through the frozen Swedish forests, WRC crews make the first of two visits to the American continent for the fast rock-strewn stages of Mexico where high ambient temperatures and altitudes provide the main challenge. A new addition to the WRC schedule in 2004, the Leon-based event is famed for its compact route and spectacular ceremonial start in the city of Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The start regularly attracts thousands of fans who will get to savour an extra treat this year with the first running of the Guanajuato Street Stage. Measuring a little more than one kilometre in length, the stage will run through tunnels and high wall-lined cobbled streets with all the action recorded on a close circuit TV system. But it’s the Sierra de Lobos and Sierra de Guanajuato mountains that will continue to host the bulk of the stage action. The high-altitude tests make for spectacular viewing with a mixture of mountain peaks and flat open valleys. The altitude has its downside, however, as the engines struggle to breathe in the thin air and suffer a drop in power of approximately 20 per cent. The road surface is dry and sandy, but with rocks getting pulled onto the road caution is very much the watchword. Like Guanajuato, Leon will also host a street stage on a temporary course close to the indoor service park. The Leon Racing Circuit is also back on the itinerary although the stages will now be run at night to appeal to those fans unable to watch the action during the day.

The opening two events of the WRC season couldn’t be more contrasting. Following the high-speed blast through the frozen Swedish forests, WRC crews make the first of two visits to the American continent for the fast rock-strewn stages of Mexico where high ambient temperatures and altitudes provide the main challenge. A new addition to the WRC schedule in 2004, the Leon-based event is famed for its compact route and spectacular ceremonial start in the city of Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The start regularly attracts thousands of fans who will get to savour an extra treat this year with the first running of the Guanajuato Street Stage. Measuring a little more than one kilometre in length, the stage will run through tunnels and high wall-lined cobbled streets with all the action recorded on a close circuit TV system. But it’s the Sierra de Lobos and Sierra de Guanajuato mountains that will continue to host the bulk of the stage action. The high-altitude tests make for spectacular viewing with a mixture of mountain peaks and flat open valleys. The altitude has its downside, however, as the engines struggle to breathe in the thin air and suffer a drop in power of approximately 20 per cent. The road surface is dry and sandy, but with rocks getting pulled onto the road caution is very much the watchword. Like Guanajuato, Leon will also host a street stage on a temporary course close to the indoor service park. The Leon Racing Circuit is also back on the itinerary although the stages will now be run at night to appeal to those fans unable to watch the action during the day.

The opening two events of the WRC season couldn’t be more contrasting. Following the high-speed blast through the frozen Swedish forests, WRC crews make the first of two visits to the American continent for the fast rock-strewn stages of Mexico where high ambient temperatures and altitudes provide the main challenge. A new addition to the WRC schedule in 2004, the Leon-based event is famed for its compact route and spectacular ceremonial start in the city of Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The start regularly attracts thousands of fans who will get to savour an extra treat this year with the first running of the Guanajuato Street Stage. Measuring a little more than one kilometre in length, the stage will run through tunnels and high wall-lined cobbled streets with all the action recorded on a close circuit TV system. But it’s the Sierra de Lobos and Sierra de Guanajuato mountains that will continue to host the bulk of the stage action. The high-altitude tests make for spectacular viewing with a mixture of mountain peaks and flat open valleys. The altitude has its downside, however, as the engines struggle to breathe in the thin air and suffer a drop in power of approximately 20 per cent. The road surface is dry and sandy, but with rocks getting pulled onto the road caution is very much the watchword. Like Guanajuato, Leon will also host a street stage on a temporary course close to the indoor service park. The Leon Racing Circuit is also back on the itinerary although the stages will now be run at night to appeal to those fans unable to watch the action during the day.

While Vodafone Rally de Portugal’s heart remains in Algarve, its home since 2007, this year’s event will include an all-new superspecial stage in the of the country’s capital, Lisbon. It has resulted in a rejig of the itinerary with the pre-event shakedown moving forward to Wednesday and Thursday devoted to the street stage and the various supporting promotional activities. On their return to Algarve following a 600-kilometre round trip, the crews will tackle three days of competition on the medium-fast gravel roads in the Algarve and Alentejo regions. Portugal’s stages, which include a mixture of open roads and technical and narrow sections, are characterised by their abrasive surface. This puts the onus on tyre wear although the earlier March date (Vodafone Rally de Portugal ran in late May in 2010) means this might not be as apparent as in recent years when tyre wear rates were reported as being 40 per cent higher than on other gravel rallies. Although the Algarve Stadium in out-of-town Faro continues to host the event, the superspecial stage, which ran within the stadium confines on a purpose-built course, won’t be repeated. Instead, those resources have been channelled into the new three-kilometre street stage in Lisbon’s Praca do Imperio, which crews will recce in electronic cars prior to the stage going live on Thursday afternoon. Vodafone Rally de Portugal hosts the opening event for the new WRC Academy initiative for young drivers in identical Ford Fiesta R2s.

While Vodafone Rally de Portugal’s heart remains in Algarve, its home since 2007, this year’s event will include an all-new superspecial stage in the of the country’s capital, Lisbon. It has resulted in a rejig of the itinerary with the pre-event shakedown moving forward to Wednesday and Thursday devoted to the street stage and the various supporting promotional activities. On their return to Algarve following a 600-kilometre round trip, the crews will tackle three days of competition on the medium-fast gravel roads in the Algarve and Alentejo regions. Portugal’s stages, which include a mixture of open roads and technical and narrow sections, are characterised by their abrasive surface. This puts the onus on tyre wear although the earlier March date (Vodafone Rally de Portugal ran in late May in 2010) means this might not be as apparent as in recent years when tyre wear rates were reported as being 40 per cent higher than on other gravel rallies. Although the Algarve Stadium in out-of-town Faro continues to host the event, the superspecial stage, which ran within the stadium confines on a purpose-built course, won’t be repeated. Instead, those resources have been channelled into the new three-kilometre street stage in Lisbon’s Praca do Imperio, which crews will recce in electronic cars prior to the stage going live on Thursday afternoon. Vodafone Rally de Portugal hosts the opening event for the new WRC Academy initiative for young drivers in identical Ford Fiesta R2s.

While Vodafone Rally de Portugal’s heart remains in Algarve, its home since 2007, this year’s event will include an all-new superspecial stage in the of the country’s capital, Lisbon. It has resulted in a rejig of the itinerary with the pre-event shakedown moving forward to Wednesday and Thursday devoted to the street stage and the various supporting promotional activities. On their return to Algarve following a 600-kilometre round trip, the crews will tackle three days of competition on the medium-fast gravel roads in the Algarve and Alentejo regions. Portugal’s stages, which include a mixture of open roads and technical and narrow sections, are characterised by their abrasive surface. This puts the onus on tyre wear although the earlier March date (Vodafone Rally de Portugal ran in late May in 2010) means this might not be as apparent as in recent years when tyre wear rates were reported as being 40 per cent higher than on other gravel rallies. Although the Algarve Stadium in out-of-town Faro continues to host the event, the superspecial stage, which ran within the stadium confines on a purpose-built course, won’t be repeated. Instead, those resources have been channelled into the new three-kilometre street stage in Lisbon’s Praca do Imperio, which crews will recce in electronic cars prior to the stage going live on Thursday afternoon. Vodafone Rally de Portugal hosts the opening event for the new WRC Academy initiative for young drivers in identical Ford Fiesta R2s.

While Vodafone Rally de Portugal’s heart remains in Algarve, its home since 2007, this year’s event will include an all-new superspecial stage in the of the country’s capital, Lisbon. It has resulted in a rejig of the itinerary with the pre-event shakedown moving forward to Wednesday and Thursday devoted to the street stage and the various supporting promotional activities. On their return to Algarve following a 600-kilometre round trip, the crews will tackle three days of competition on the medium-fast gravel roads in the Algarve and Alentejo regions. Portugal’s stages, which include a mixture of open roads and technical and narrow sections, are characterised by their abrasive surface. This puts the onus on tyre wear although the earlier March date (Vodafone Rally de Portugal ran in late May in 2010) means this might not be as apparent as in recent years when tyre wear rates were reported as being 40 per cent higher than on other gravel rallies. Although the Algarve Stadium in out-of-town Faro continues to host the event, the superspecial stage, which ran within the stadium confines on a purpose-built course, won’t be repeated. Instead, those resources have been channelled into the new three-kilometre street stage in Lisbon’s Praca do Imperio, which crews will recce in electronic cars prior to the stage going live on Thursday afternoon. Vodafone Rally de Portugal hosts the opening event for the new WRC Academy initiative for young drivers in identical Ford Fiesta R2s.