Argentina has acquired a reputation for being one of the toughest, if not the toughest, rounds of the FIA World Championship in recent years and there is nothing to suggest this year’s fixture will be any different.Rocky gravel roads, a soft and sandy surface which becomes rutted, the prospect of early autumn fog in the mountains and recent heavy rain which has filled the numerous river crossings threaten to make YPF Rally Argentina (21 – 24 April) as demanding as ever.
The route mixes the old with the new from its base in Villa Carlos Paz. As is tradition, it visits the three valleys of Cordoba province, but before that drivers face an exciting new 1.50km asphalt street stage in Cordoba city which kicks off the action on Thursday night.
Friday heads south to fast and familiar roads around Santa Rosa de Calamuchita, although it has been several years since the tests have been used in this format. The loop ends with a popular super special stage at the theme park in Villa Carlos Paz, before the tests are repeated in the afternoon.
Saturday’s second leg features rockier stages north-west of the host town in the Punilla Valley, which formed part of the Dakar Rally in January. Many roads are new and the two loops cover 157.82km, the longest leg of the event.
The finale is on classic territory in the Traslasierra mountains, south-west of Villa Carlos Paz. The spectacular lunar-like landscape of Giulio Cesare sandwiches two passes through the equally famous hanging bridges of El Condor. The second run forms the live TV Power Stage with bonus points to the fastest three drivers.
There are 18 stages in all, covering 364.68km in a route of 1361.54km.