2009 World Rally Argentina Preview

Round 5: 24/4/09 – 26/4/09
Categories: WRC, J-WRC, P-WRC
Based: Cordoba-Villa Carlos Paz
Surface: Gravel
Most recent winner: Sebastien Loeb (2008)

One of the WRC’s most spectacular and demanding events, Rally Argentina is based from the town of Villa Carlos Paz, 35km south of Cordoba and right in the heart of the stunning Cordobese Sierras.
The competitive action takes place in the three valleys of Cordoba province, each of which offers gravel stages of differing character and landscape. The scenery ranges from huge expanses of open plains north of Carlos Paz, to the mountains further west where narrow rocky tracks wind through a dramatic, high altitude landscape that resembles the surface of the moon.
In general the stages of Rally Argentina are soft and sandy, with many river crossings, and frequently become rough and rutted on repeat passes. The blend of high speeds and bumpy terrain can make Argentina a car breaker. If that wasn’t enough, the high altitude of the stages, just as in Mexico, saps the cars of power as they struggle for breath in the thin air.

New for 2009

The 2008 edition of Rally Argentina was run in March and was notable for torrential rain and treacherous, muddy stages. Scheduled one month later in the calendar this year’s event should be drier – statistically at least. April’s average rainfall of 53cm compares favourably to March’s 109cm. Argentina is one of only four events this year eligible for the WRC, P-WRC and J-WRC competitions.
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SOURCE:
World Rally Championship
http://www.wrc.com/