The World Rally Championship treads new ground this weekend as it tackles the rocky roads of Cyprus for the first time.
The championship caravan should have been heading further east - to China - at about this time but, with the various problems that the Oriental event has suffered since it made its series debut last year, that trip was cancelled in favour of a short notice hop into the Mediterranean and the port of Limassol.
Although not the national capital, Limassol has been chosen to host the event because of its proximity to the best stages on the island, and promises to play host to an event as tough - if not tougher - than its near neighbour, the Acropolis. In Greece, the Fords came out on top but, with the championship at stake, do not expect either
Colin McRae or Carlos Sainz to have as easy a run this time around.
While Cyprus may be a new addition to the WRC schedule and, therefore something of a stranger to many of those taking part, it will not be entirely unfamiliar to most, as the event has formed part of the backbone of the European Rally Championship for many years. With its proximity to the Acropolis on the calendar, too, the drivers and support crews have already had a glimpse of what they can expect in terms of conditions - and not many have expressed any great excitement for another scorcher in the cockpit!
The 57 entries expected to take to the start ramp will not even have the benefit of travelling that quickly to force cooler air into the cars, as the event promises to be one of the slowest on the calendar. Last year's European series round averaged just 60mph over its rocky stages and, with three days of purgatory ahead, most are hoping that reliability - both personal and mechanical - will be good.
