The 2006 FIA World Rally Championship heads to Mexico this weekend, for the only round on the North American continent.

Three weeks after leaving the snow-bound forests of Sweden, Mexico will be a complete contrast, with much warmer and sunnier conditions.

Based in the city of Leon, Mexico will also play host to the second round of the Production Car WRC.

With no stages further than 50km away from the single rally HQ in Leon, the route for the Rally Mexico is one of the most compact in the championship. Commencing on Thursday March 2 with a ceremonial start in the World Heritage town of Guanajuato, the route will cover 17 special stages and 359.54 competitive kilometres.

The stages remain largely unchanged from 2005, but this year the route includes a Superspecial stage, constructed at the nearby Puebla motor racing circuit.



Special notes:

After two specialist asphalt and snow events - in Monte Carlo and Sweden respectively, Mexico sees a return to gravel roads and is often regarded as the first 'proper' rally of the year.

The medium to high speed gravel roads climb up the side of spectacular valleys, with some peaking at over 2,700 metres above sea level. Now in its third year of inclusion in the WRC calendar, the route takes crews to the highest stages of the season.

The hard-packed roads vary in character and call for a versatile car set-up that gives drivers sure-footed handling in all conditions.

The high altitude brings additional challenges for engineers as the thin air saps power from engines. As a result, average speeds are far lower than on rallies run over similar terrain.



FIA World Rally Championship news:

Marcus Gronholm extended his early lead in the 2006 FIA World Rally drivers' championship following his second victory in succession in Sweden. The Finn leads reigning world champion, Sebastien Loeb, who has twice finished second, by four points.

Ford meanwhile heads the Constructors' with 26 points, 2 up on the Kronos Total Citroen WRT.



News from the Manufacturers' teams:

Manufacturer 1.

Kronos Total Citroen:

[Sebastien Loeb, car #1 and Xavier Pons, car #2]

Having been forced to play second fiddle to Marcus Gronholm on the opening two rounds of the WRC season, Sebastien Loeb has his sights set on reclaiming the #1 slot this weekend – even though Mexico is an event that hasn't been kind to the Frenchman in the past.