WRC Rally of Argentina - Preview
- Linsay Weston
- Apr 23, 2016
- 3 min read
After the extended spring break, the WRC teams return to competition this weekend at one of the more diverse events on the Calendar – Rally Argentina.
First held in 1980, the event is considered as one of the most challenging of the year, with its rough sand and gravel roads, high attitude, numerous water crossings and unpredictable weather.
It is always surprising and arguably the only real car breaking rally left on the calendar, since the removal the Acropolis and the Safari.
On the stages, tens of thousands of fans line the road, like a small colourful forest blending in with the breath-taking scenery of the spectacular mountain stages. It is a true sight to behold and a throw back to a time when the only way to see these death defying athletes, was to grab a tent and head out on to the stage itself.
Again based around the City of Cordoba, this year’s event will run over 1333.26 km with 364.68 Km of this making up the 18 competitive stages.
Thursday’s all new street stage around the roads of Argentina’s Second largest city, will see the beginning of a competitive section, while Friday will see the Event move to the more traditional stages, starting with at the south of the city on Friday, moving into the Punilla Valley on Saturday and the rocky surroundings of Traslasiera – where the power stage will take place to copse the event.
Competition-wise, Rally Argentina has the ability to throw out some surprise results. It is the only rally on the calendar in which Sebastian Ogier has never won, with his best results being second twice in 2013 and 2014 where he lost to his teammate Jari-Matti Latvala, who goes into the event looking for two wins in a row after his Rally México Triumph.
However, Volkswagen, in its young history in the championship, has been remarkably unconvincing here. With just one win and three other podiums from a potential nine, it is contrary to the dominance we have come to expect from the manufacture.
Citroen won’t be present as a factory entry, but of course dominated the event during the Loeb era, as the smooth Frenchman navigated his car to victorious form in every event from 2005 to 2013.
But the Versailles based company proved it was not only down to one drivers skill last year when Kris Meeke, who is not competing this year, won in spectacular fashion over his then teammate Mads Østberg, who will line up for M-Sport in a Ford Fiesta.
Hyundai could be a surprise, particularly Hayden Paddon, who has been driving very well and has good style on the loose services. The Korean giant will enter three cars in total, which gives them a good chance of victory, or at least a podium finish, in a depleted field.
But the most pressure falls upon the rally itself. Rally organisers have been given an ultimatum by the FIA to improve safety for the enormous crowds that surround the stages. It comes after an incident in last years event, when a car left the road, injuring a number of spectators that had slipped past the safe areas, in the large crowds.
It is in both parties’ interest to see a successful and safe event, as the loss of another hallmark rally from the calendar would be a devastating blow for the already struggling series.
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