The region’s hard-packed gravel roads are some of the highest of the year. Generally fast, they are tricky as they don’t naturally flow through the mountainous terrain. The challenging combination of high and slow-speed sections make it difficult for crews to establish a rhythm along the sometimes narrow and technical tests. Those who are smoothest will improve the life and therefore grip from their tyres on the abrasive surface where tyre wear is very high.
The route is much the same as last year with only minor additions to sections of the Ortega and El Cubilete speed tests. Mexico is the most compact route in the WRC, and this year is even more so than last with a total distance of just 830 kilometres. The 354 competitive kilometres of gravel roads traverse the mountains of the Sierra de Lobos and Sierra de Guanajuato to the east of Leon, reaching a peak altitude of just over 2700 metres where the oxygen is thin and engines struggle to develop power.
The event opens with a ceremonial start on Thursday night in front of the Alhondiga de Granaditas, an historic grain storage building which now serves as a regional museum.
A change from the first two events, the weather forecast is dry and windy, with temperatures reaching 25 degrees Celsius.
Each day is concluded by a 2.21km spectator stage, located 15km south-west of Leon, which will be run a total of five times over the three days to bring the action from the mountains to the local fans.
FIA World Rally Championship news:
Mikko Hirvonen leads the race for the 2008 FIA World Rally drivers' championship following the second round in the series, the Swedish Rally.
Mikko was second on the Karlstad-based round and increased his tally to 16 points.
Sebastien Loeb dropped to second, after failing to score and is now equal on points with
Jari-Matti Latvala, who won the Karlstad-based event.
