Key to symbols : Click here
Round 1 : Sweden
Colin's Crest
The one and only snow rally on this year's calendar, takes place in the frozen lands of Sweden. Expect the Scandinavian drivers to do well here... full preview coming soon!
Round 2 : Mexico
Ready for your dustbath? Last time the WRC visited Mexico, Suzuki and Subaru were competing, Prehaps we'll see the custard yellow coloured cars return in 2011?
The only event on the American Continent – and sure enough here's where we get the first glimpse of the first American WRC driver in years! It's high altitude, high speed, and with spectators who are less than well behaved, could go to anyone!
Round 3: Jordan
Mirrored windows, a roof scoop feeding air straight into the cockpit, and air conditioning - Not luxuries here, but necessities! Although this is a gravel event, this Ford Focus is closer to Asphalt spec.
From the mountains to the desert! High tempratures dominate this event and the air con's definitely not a luxury extra – it's a necessity. The first event to finish on a Saturday rather than a Sunday, the result of the new, more relaxed rules on event organisation. Loeb came a cropper here on the WRC's last visit when he went out after a collision with – of all things – Conrad Rautenbach!
Round 4 : Turkey
Loeb doing what he does best. Red Bull clearly does give you wings!
Something of an unknown this one. Last time WRC was here it was in a completely different part of the country – where there were big rocks common in this part of the world. This time it's Istanbul, and there's 50kms of asphalt to tackle. On Gravel tyres. Expect hilly terrain, so some steep drops are in there.
Round 5 : New Zealand
Ken Block has been here before - but now he's got much more power in his Focus WRC
Another welcome return – It's New Zealand. Running on super fast gravel roads with some asphalt, there's sure to be some good action. No Raikkonen and Ogier on this event, which is a shame because it should really play to both driver's strengths. Expect the Finns to be very good here – it's almost like home for them!
Round 6 : Portugal
Latvala and Antilla were extremely lucky to walk away from this nasty shunt last year. This car will be used on this year's Swedish Rally - It takes a lot to kill a WRC car!
It's portugal, so it'll be hot, it's gravel so it'll be slippery, and there's huge drops waiting to destroy the hopes of many drivers – and their cars, just ask Jari-Matti Latvala. The Ford Technicans have only just finished repairing his car after he threw it down a mountainside last year. Lots of the stages are at altitude too, just to really work the turbochargers hard.
Round 7 : Bulgaria
A Peugeot 207 S2000 car tackles one of Bulgaria's asphalt stages.
Haven't got a clue about this one – it's brand new to the WRC. It's on asphalt and based in a ski resort so presumably there's going to be some Monte-Carlo esque alpine roads. Watch out for the Citroens both works and junior – they should be in their element here.
Round 8 : Finland
Raikkonën will want to forget his last visit to Finland
Finland. The Rally of 1000 lakes... It's awesomely fast, it's fine gravel that's only one step away from being asphalt, and there are some huge jumps – watch out for the Finns and Norweigans showing the visitors who's boss – And who's going to hit Dani's rock this year? Definitely one to watch.
Round 9 : Germany
This is why you avoid Heinkelsteins
Asphalt is being kind – these are concrete roads usually used for testing tanks! Ferociously fast,and with several steep drops and big jumps. The Tarmac Specialists won't have it all their own way. Watch out for the fearsome Heinkelsteins.
Round 10 : Japan
Loeb at speed in the Sapporo Dome. Look at the suspension travel on this Gravel Spec Citroen
Japan is a land of huge contrasts to anywhere else the WRC has been so far : Thick forest stages with plenty of narrow roads around some mountains, should be muddy or gravel. The Jewel of the crown is the Sapporo Dome superspecial where the cars go head to head indoors!
Round 11 : France
Francois Duval (driving Latvala's car) negotiates a typical corsican obstacle - but now the rally's moved.
This is another totally new event – well apart from the name. Leaving the insanely narrow tarmac roads (and huge drops) of Corsica behind to the French mainland, and the area where one Sebastién Loeb grew up... Unfortunately that rather means he'll have an advantage over everyone else! Watch out for the Tarmac specialists coming to the fore
Round 12 : Spain
This is Loeb's Citroën in full tarmac spec. Very little ground clearance, low profile semi slick tyres, and big brakes. a very formidable racing machine. also note the mirrored windows because of the bright sunshine in Spain...
This is it Kimi fans – The ride heights hit their lowest, the gearing is set for top speed, It's hot and the drivers need to have a lot of racing driver techniques under their belts to do well here. It would appear to be right up the Finnish newcomer's street – if there wasn't the small matter of tarmac experts Sordo and Loeb to contend with. The sparks will fly.
Round 13 : Great Britain
... compare the same car to Rally GB's set up. Clear windows, big ground clearance, and all that mud to contend with. The steam is from the brakes! The weather's terrible, but we're a tough bunch here!!
This is the finale – and it could all come down to this event if last year's anything to go by. If it's dry, it could be the fastest gravel event of the year – but I live here... and it very rarely IS dry. Petter loves this event and I get the feeling he wants to add a win to his collection. Could be VERY wet, it could be Very Muddy, and it could be very slippery. It's also very cold. Good luck to all competitors, a finish is as good as a win here!
Comments