2015 XION RALLY ARGENTINA

After a six week break since Rally Guanajuato Mexico, the FIA World Rally Championship contenders return to action for XION Rally Argentina (23-26 April), the fourth round of the series. Despite moving from May to April this year, the event remains in the autumnal months and could, as always, deliver variable weather conditions, including dense fog high up in the mountains.

XION Rally Argentina is one of the most diverse events on the calendar with its mix of surfaces, changing elevations and subsequent weather conditions. Long stages also feature heavily, with two - both run twice - exceeding 50 kilometres in length. Numerous water crossings are another of the event’s key characteristics, as are the thousands of fans lining the route, many camping out for the week and creating a carnival atmosphere with their tents, campervans and traditional barbeques.

For the 35^th edition there is an innovatively changed route, still based around the service park in Villa Carlos Paz, but which initially takes the crews southwest to Merlo in San Luis for a short super special stage, the first time this province has been included in a Rally Argentina itinerary. Despite devastating floods recently which affected many people living in the areas where Friday’s stages will run, the route has remained unchanged with the organisers supporting the local communities in every way they can. With a mix of traditional, modified and new stages, the 2015 XION Rally Argentina looks set to provide its fervent supporters with yet more great action.

The super special stage in Carlos Paz (SSS6) and the iconic El Condor stage (SS12) will both be broadcast live on the international feed. 

THE 2015 ROUTE

The Merlo-San Luis stage (SSS1) is completely new, and while some parts of stages 3/5 and 8/10 include sections run back in 2007, both stages are considered to be fresh challenges. Only two stages are fully the same as those run in 2014 - the Carlos Paz super special and the captivating El Cóndor-Copina stage with its moon-like landscapes – while the 51.99 kilometre Agua de Oro-Ascochinga test is run in the opposite direction this year.

 RALLY DATA

MEDIA ACCREDITATION

The Accreditation Centre is located at the Auditorium of Hotel Portal del Lago, Gob. Ortiz y Herrera, (5152) Villa Carlos Paz, Córdoba. The opening hours are:

XION RALLY ARGENTINA TIMETABLE AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ORGANISED BY THE FIA

Wednesday 22 April

Thursday 23 April

SSS1, Merlo, San Luis                                                                                        19:00 hrs

Friday 24 April

Saturday 25 April

Sunday 26 April

FIA PRESS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE

ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

‘Meet the Crews’: On Friday and Saturday the top three drivers will attend a ‘Meet the Crews’ session for media and fans. This will take place on the WRC Stage at the earliest opportunity during the 45’ service.

Autograph Signing Session: On Friday and Saturday selected crews will be available for a 15 minute autograph session. This will take place in the service park during the end of day service at the teams’ service areas.

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS

The provisional classifications for all the WRC Championships can be found here.

STAGE CHART

Shortly after the finish of the event, a downloadable stage chart showing the progressive positions of the leading crews during the rally will be available. This is copyright free for editorial purposes and available here.