Cyprus, the great unknown

The Cypriot event of the World Rally Championship, formerly contested on gravel between 2000 and 2006, this time has the particularity of offering two different surfaces over the three days of racing. The first day will therefore be held on asphalt, while the remaining two will offer a complete change of scenery with courses on dirt and gravel.

Another great feature of this rally, the cars will have Pirelli Scorpion tires throughout the event and chassis settings planned for the specials run on gravel, following the limitations imposed by the FIA, always with the aim of reducing costs.

“We are limited to using five sets of shock absorbers for both cars. We could have taken a set for asphalt but it was too risky a decision, we would have had to travel two difficult days on dirt without a spare part? “, explained Malcolm Wilson.

Driving during the first day on asphalt is therefore likely to prove tricky, especially if it is hot, because the tires and brakes would then be damaged, and most of the drivers therefore expected to compete in a difficult rally as for the mechanics as well as for the moral and physical.

“It's a shame, we're going to have to compete in stages on asphalt with unsuitable suspensions, brakes and tires. Even if in these conditions the balance of our C4 WRC remains very good, we know that we will have to manage the tires to avoid punctures. It will undoubtedly be fun for the spectators to see the cars sliding, but I don’t think it will be very interesting for the drivers,” declared Sébastien Loeb.

“It will be a difficult rally,” warned Dani. “We have worked a lot on the suspensions, but it will especially be the brakes and the tires that will suffer, even more in the event of high heat.”

The fight already promises to be severe and uncertain, tactics could still take precedence, even if Loeb does not intend to play Ford's game and let the others open the road for him. As for Hirvonen, he is also determined to fight to make the Alsatian bite the dust. It will be hot in Cyprus… whatever the weather.

The Program (French time):

Friday 13 March

SS 1 Panagia 1 30.33 km 08h23
SS 2 Mylikouri 1 7.37 km 09h21
SS 3 Gerakies 1 29.40 km 09h46
SS 4 Panagia 2 30.33 km 13:34 p.m.
SS 5 Mylikouri 2 7.37 km 14:32 p.m.
SS 6 Gerakies 2 29.40 km 14:57 p.m.

Saturday March, 14

ES 7 Anadiou Dam 1 11.70 km 07h43
SS 8 Pano Panagia 28.17 km 08h11
SS 9 Orkontas 18.54 km 10:19 a.m.
SS10 Xyliatos 30.94 km 14:17 p.m.
SS11 Kourdali 26.25 km 15:20 p.m.

Sunday 15 March

SS12 Foini 30.03 km 08h18
SS13 Anadiou 40.54 km 09h49
SS14 Anadiou Dam 211.70 km 11h02