The program for the 2022 Rally of Belgium

It’s the return of asphalt! “Finally” some will say, after having completed no less than five rallies on gravel. For the second time in its history, the World Rally Championship (WRC) travels in the Ypres region, in Belgium, not far from the Franco-Belgian border. If this is only the second pure tarmac event of the season, the regional winner of the stage, Thierry Neuville, seems to have serious arguments for victory, during this ninth stage of the championship.

A busy schedule

It is around the market square of Ypres, transformed for the occasion, that the week of rally will put down these suitcases, like last year. But unlike the usual WRC format, the drivers will set off for the shakedown of the Nieuwkerke (7,34 km), Thursday afternoon, from 16 p.m., after the traditional presentation ceremony of the teams and drivers.

The serious things will begin as usual on Friday, with four morning stages which will take the drivers south, still around Ypres. If the same four stages are offered during the afternoon, in Vleteren (11,9 km), Westouter (19,6 km), Mesen-Middelhoek (7,9 km) and Langermark (8,9 km) , it will already be almost half of the total distance that will have been contested.

READ ALSO: Hyundai, confidence regained before the Rally of Belgium

Rebelotte for Saturday, with eight new stages on the program, from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m., covering nearly 135 km of route. The crews will pass through Reninge (15 km), Dikkebus (14,2 km), Wijtschate (15 km) and Hollebeke (22,3 km), the longest stage of the rally, before the loop is repeated in the 'afternoon.

Finally, for the last day of the event, the drivers will embark on a route completely different from that proposed last year, which headed towards the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, since the final will still take place in the Flandrian region. Only three stages are on the program, those of Watou and Kemmelburg, before a second pass on the last city, which will serve as the Wolf Power Stage.

The total distance covered by the Rally of Belgium is 281,58 km, while the Hyundai, strong from their victory in Finland with Thank you, will have a card to play on Thierry Neuville's favorite ground this weekend. As a reminder, if Kalle Rovanperä, leader of the championship, already has a chance of being crowned this weekend, it will be thanks to a highly improbable scenario.

The program for the 2022 Rally of Belgium

Thursday, August 18

16:01 p.m.: Shakedown – Nieuwkerke (7,34 km)

Friday, August 19

10:16 a.m.: SS1 – Vleteren 1 (11,9 km)
11:08 a.m.: SS2 – Westouter 1 (19,6 km)
12:03 p.m.: SS3 – Mesen-Middelhoek 1 (7,9 km)
12:53 p.m.: SS4 – Langermark 1 (8,9 km)
15:16 a.m.: SS5 – Vleteren 2 (11,9 km)
16:08 a.m.: SS6 – Westouter 2 (19,6 km)
17:03 p.m.: SS7 – Mesen-Middelhoek 2 (7,9 km)
17:53 p.m.: SS8 – Langermark 2 (8,9 km)

Saturday, August 20

10:13 a.m.: SS9 – Reninge 1 (15 km)
11:08 a.m.: SS10 – Dikkebus 1 (14,2 km)
12:00 p.m.: SS11 – Wijtschate 1 (15 km)
12:55 p.m.: SS12 – Hollebeke 1 (22,3 km)
15:13 a.m.: SS13 – Reninge 2 (15 km)
16:08 a.m.: SS14 – Dikkebus 2 (14,2 km)
17:00 p.m.: SS15 – Wijtschate 2 (15 km)
17:55 p.m.: SS16 – Hollebeke 2 (22,3 km)

Sunday, August 21

8:43 a.m.: SS17 – Watou 1 (12,3 km)
9:38 a.m.: SS18 – Kemmelberg 1 (13,3 km)
11:49 a.m.: SS19 – Watou 2 (12,3 km)
13:18 p.m.: SS20 – Kemmelberg 2 Powerstage (13,3 km)