The FIA World Rally Championship heads 'down under' this week for the Rally Australia and after two events in the Mediterranean, the teams have travelled to the other side of the globe for three days of flat-out action on the red earth roads around Perth.
First included as a round of the WRC in 1989, this will be the last time the rally will be based in Western Australia, and its unforgiving mixture of slippery gravel and narrow tree-lined stages, before it moves to a new home on the east coast in 2008.
The competitive action starts on Thursday October 26 with two passes through the head-to-head Superspecial at Gloucester Park before the regular stages start on Friday.
Comprising 348 competitive kilometres and 26 stages, the rally will be based around a single service park on the banks of the Swan River in centre of the city. The longest stage is the 29.93km Helena North test, which is run twice on leg three, while the shortest is the Perth City Super Special, which is run six times. The wining car will cross the finish ramp back in Perth on Sunday at 1430hrs.
Special notes:
Most of the Rally Australia takes place on forest roads to the south - and east of the city. The roads offer a unique challenge, since they are not only fast and narrow, but covered by a fine layer of marble-like gravel that makes them exceptionally slippery. As a result, it is regarded as one of the toughest events of the year for newcomers.
In dry conditions especially, those running first on the road face a disadvantage as they sweep the slippery surface away for those behind, while those further down the order benefit as the base layer becomes more exposed with the passing of every car.
Despite the tricky conditions, Australia is a very popular event with drivers, teams and spectators who relish its sunshine and stunning scenery.
With plumes of dust trailing the cars, and spectacular jumps and water-splashes like those seen in the Sotico stages on the second day, the event is one of the most photogenic of the year.
Whilst Europe gears up for winter, Australia is heading for summer and average temperatures are expected to be between 11 degrees and 22 degrees Celsius.
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