Road position is particularly important as crews who are able to run the stages before the loose surface deteriorates too badly will gain significant advantage. The second passes of the stages in the afternoon will likely be increasingly treacherous for those further down the order as the ruts cut deep into the road. On the tough tests and in the inconsistent conditions, drivers must perform consistently to stay at the front.
The stages consist of medium- to high-speed routes that flow through the mountains in and around Cordoba, with a superspecial stage held inside the Cordoba Stadium. Crews will use the same hard compound variant of Pirelli Scorpion gravel tyre as debuted in Mexico.
This rally is extremely tough on cars as the environment is harsh and unforgiving and the high altitude robs the engines of power on the final day.
The event comprises 21 stages over 352 competitive kilometres through the Punilla Valley to the north of Cordoba, Santa Rosa de Calamuchita to the south and Traslasierra to the west. The spectator Superspecial stage inside the Cordoba Stadium will be run a total of three times, once at the end of each day.
FIA World Rally Championship news:
Despite only finishing fourth in Mexico earlier this month,
Mikko Hirvonen remained in the lead in the race for the 2008 FIA World Rally drivers' championship title. Mikko increased his tally to 21 points following the Leon-based round, while
Sebastien Loeb, who won the event, now lies just 1 point behind.
Jari-Matti Latvala is a further 4 points back in third.
In the Manufacturers' championship the
BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT remains top, having increased its lead from 10 points to 12.
Citroen is now joint second with
Subaru - both outfits having scored 25 points.
News from the Manufacturers' teams:
Citroen Total WRT:
[Sebastien Loeb, car #1 and
Daniel Sordo, car #2]
Loeb eyes fourth win in a row in Argentina.
Sebastien Loeb will be out to extend his winning streak in Argentina and try to re-gain the lead in the battle for the 2008 drivers' title.
