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WRC - 2016 Rally Mexico - Preview

29.02.16
Rally Mexico, the third round of the FIA World Rally Championship, marks the start of a run of six gravel rallies. But, even after two specialised events in Monte-Carlo and Sweden, the first event outside Europe is going to provide yet more unique challenges, not least of which is an 80 kilometre stage, the longest in the Championship for nearly 30 years

Crews will need to be in peak condition to cope with such an intense period of competition, made even more challenging when the route takes the crews to oxygen-sapping heights of up to 2,800 metres above sea level. Preparation and strategy for this single stage, run as the penultimate test on Sunday, will be key.  

Rally Mexico continues to be based in the city of León, 400 kilometres north-west of Mexico City, and the largely familiar route takes the contenders into the hot and dusty Sierra de Lobos and Sierra de Guanajuato mountains. Four stages will be broadcast live; SS1 (Thursday), SS9/10 (Friday), SS14 on Saturday and its re-run as the Power Stage on Sunday (SS21). 

THE 2016 ROUTE

Rally Mexico kicks off with its traditional start ceremony in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Guanajuato, one of the highlights of the season where fans cram the streets for a fun and colourful rally fiesta. Three short stages follow that night before the crews head into the mountains on Friday and Saturday for a mix of gravel tests as well as street and super special stages. While Saturday is the longest day of the event, rounded off by a short night stage in León, Sunday could potentially bring a real sting in the tail. The 80-kilometre Guanajuato stage will be an epic early morning test before the surviving crews head into the closing Power Stage.

RALLY DATA

Total distance:
Stage distance:
Number of stages:

1,077.08 km
399.71 km (37%)
21

MEDIA ACCREDITATION

The Accreditation Centre is located in the Media Centre at Rally Campus, Blvd. Adolfo Lopez Mateos, Esq. Blvd. Francisco Villa, León, Guanajuato. The opening hours are:

Tuesday 1 March
Wednesday 2 March
Thursday 3 March

14:00 – 18:00 hrs 
08:00 – 18:00 hrs
08:00 – 18:00 hrs

RALLY MEXICO TIMETABLE AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ORGANISED BY THE FIA

Wednesday 2 March
Mandatory media safety briefing, photographers' room

Thursday 3 March
Shakedown (P1 drivers)
Shakedown (P2, P3 drivers)
Shakedown (non-priority drivers)
'Meet the Crews', WRC Stage, Service Park
FIA Press Conference, Press Room
Promotional activities
Opening Ceremony and start of Section 1, Guanajuato

Friday 4 March
First car arrives for regroup, service and Media Zone 
First car arrives for final service and Media Zone
'Meet the Crews', WRC Stage, Service Park 

Saturday 5 March
First car arrives for regroup, service and Media Zone
First car arrives for final service and Media Zone
'Meet the Crews', WRC Stage, Service Park

Sunday 6 March
Regroup and tyre fitting zone, Parque Metropolitano, León
First car arrives for final service and Media Zone
Prize-Giving and podium ceremony, Foro del Lago
FIA Press Conference, Press Room


17:00 hrs


09:00-13:00 hrs
11:00-13:00 hrs
13:00-14:00 hrs
13:10 hrs
13:30 hrs
14:00-15:30 hrs
20:00 hrs


12:34 hrs
18:10 hrs
During the 45' service


12:29 hrs
18:24 hrs
During the 45' service


10:33 hrs
13:38 hrs
14:30 hrs
15:30 hrs 

FIA PRESS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE

Thursday 3 March







Sunday 6 March

Teemu Suninen, FIA WRC 2 Championship
Ricardo Triviño, FIA WRC 2 Championship
Martin Prokop, Jipocar Czech National Team
Thierry Neuville, Hyundai Motorsport 
Eric Camilli, M-Sport World Rally Team
Jari-Matti Latvala, Volkswagen Motorsport 
Benito Guerra

Winning FIA WRC 3 Championship crew
Winning FIA WRC 2 Championship crew
Top three crews in the overall classification
Representative of the winning entrant

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 in the service park 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.