The weather may throw another tough element into the mix. Rain, wind and fog could be the daily forecast as this year the rally takes place in the South American autumn, almost three months earlier than last year. The predicted rain and mud should not however deter the hoards of fans who line the rally’s route, even high up in the mountains. Over one million spectators watched the event last year, despite the snow and freezing temperatures.
FIA World Rally Championship news:
Sebastien Loeb extended his lead at the top of the 2006 FIA World Rally drivers' championship by 2 points following his win in Corsica, his third win in a row. Marcus Gronholm meanwhile remains second, now 11 points behind, while 2005 Junior champion,
Daniel Sordo stays third.
In the Manufacturers' series Kronos
Citroen still lead, but the margin between them and
BP Ford went up from 2 points to 3 following the Tour de Corse earlier this month.
News from the Manufacturers' teams:
Manufacturer 1.
Kronos Total Citroen:
[
Sebastien Loeb, car #1 and Xavier Pons, car #2]
Sebastien Loeb will head into this event extremely confident following three wins on the trot. However the key question will be can he maintain is edge on gravel? It will be interesting to see what the Frenchman can do, especially as he will start first on the road and will lose time cleaning the line.
