Outline details have been revealed for Rally Russia, the scheduled sixth round of this year's Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

The 9-11 July event might still be three months away, but organisers have already begun preparing the special stages, which will again be based in the town of Vyborg.

This work has been instigated in an attempt to ensure the roads to be used are in the best possible condition for the rally following comments by some drivers last year that certain stages were too demanding on cars.

The major change to the itinerary this year is the moving of the ceremonial start from St Petersburg's Isaac Square to Vyborg, and a new location close to the walls of the town's ancient castle. This will make the event more compact for competitors because they will no longer have to complete a 100-kilometre journey.

The ceremony will take place at 1900hrs on Thursday 9 July, with competitive action getting underway on the following Friday.