Rally Argentina, the sixth round of the FIA World Rally Championship, is renowned for the passion and enthusiasm of more than a million rally fans that flock to the event for a weekend-long fiesta. The scenery also provides a stunning backdrop, with vast open plains and dramatic mountains roads that wind through lunar-like landscape.
Based in Villa Carlos Paz, the event runs in the country’s autumn months and the route takes the crews through three valleys in the hills of the CÛrdoba province; Traslasierra, Punilla and Calamuchita. Most of the stages will be familiar to the crews, but the opening stage on the final day of competition has the potential to add last minute dramas. This 48.21 kilometre stage has previously be used as two separate stages, but this year the road section linking the two will be incorporated into the stage, resulting in one of the longest stages in the WRC.
Rally Argentina is also the third round of the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship and 10 of the 18 registered competitors will be contesting the event, along with two guest drivers.
RALLY ARGENTINA – ROUTE GRAPHICS
CHANGES TO THE ROUTE SINCE 2009
Two new stages have been introduced for 2011; the 3.02 kilometre super special stage in Villa Carlos Paz (SS1/18), and Las Jarillas – Falda del Carmen, which will run twice on Saturday as stages 8 and 12. This stage is a mix of gravel and tarmac and takes in a section of road used during the 1989 edition of Rally Argentina. All other stages have either been used in previous events or have modifications. The Power Stage – the last test of the event – is a 3.90 kilometre gravel road that has previously been used as the shakedown stage, but will be run in the opposite direction. The stage will be broadcast live internationally on Fox Sports (Latin America), nationally on Fox Sports (Argentina) and locally on Channel 12 – Cordoba.
RALLY DATA
| Total distance: Stage distance: Number of stages: |
1,456.56km 378.15 km 19 |
RALLY ARGENTINA TIMETABLE AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ORGANISED BY THE FIA
Thursday 26 May
Shakedown (P1 and P2) – 08:00 – 10:00 hrs
Shakedown (P1, P2 and P3) – 10:00 – 12:00 hrs
FIA press conference, Press Room – 13:30 hrs
SSS1, Carlos Paz – 15:05 hrs
Friday 27 May
First car arrives for mid-day service and Media Zone – 12:11 hrs
First car arrives for final service and Media Zone – 17:52 hrs
End of day press conference, Service Park – During the 45’ service
Saturday 28 May
First car arrives for mid-day service and Media Zone – 12:58 hrs
First car arrives for final service and Media Zone – 19:03 hrs
End of day press conference, Service Park – During the 45’ service
Sunday 29 May
First car arrives for final service and Media Zone – 12:47 hrs
Prize-giving and podium ceremony – 13:30 hrs
FIA press conference, Press Room – 14:30 hrs
FIA PRESS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE
Thursday 26 May
Benito Guerra, FIA Production Car World Rally Championship
Nicholas Fuchs, FIA Production Car World Rally Championship
Federico Villagra, Munchi’s Ford World Rally Team
Mikko Hirvonen, Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team
Sebastien Ogier, Citroen Total World Rally Team
Matthew Wilson, Stobart M-Sport Ford Rally Team
Sunday 29 May
Winning FIA Production Car World Rally Championship crew
Top three crews in the overall classification
Representative of the winning entrant
ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
‘Meet the Crews’: On Friday and Saturday the top three drivers will attend a ‘Meet the Crews’ session for media and fans. This will take place in the service park on the ‘WRC Stage’ at the earliest opportunity during the end of day 45 minute service.
Autograph Signing Session: On Friday and Saturday selected crews will be available for a 15 minute autograph session. This will take place in the service park during the end of day 45 minute service at the teams’ service areas.
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