Barcelona start for WRC finale

Drivers and co-drivers from the FIA World Rally Championship will take to the streets of Barcelona in November to mark the start of the season decider.

RallyRACC Catalunya-Costa Daurada, Rally de Espana organisers have signed an exciting agreement with the Barcelona City Council to host the ceremonial start for the 13th and final round of the 2012 WRC season from 8-11 November.

While the event’s hub will remain in Salou on the Costa Daurada in Tarragona, confirmation that the Catalan capital has been included in the event itinerary for the first time will showcase the WRC in one of Europe’s most important cities.

The official starting ceremony, which is scheduled for 19:30hrs local time on Thursday 8 November on Barcelona’s Avinguda de la Catedral, will conclude a packed day of activity, which begins with the Qualifying Stage on Salou’s promenade from 08:00hrs. In the early afternoon crews will set off on the 100-kilometre journey from Salou to Barcelona. At 17:30hrs leading World Rally Car drivers will select their starting positions for Friday’s stages before signing autographs for fans from 18:30hrs.

Event organisers are also planning several activities to promote the FIA’s Action for Road Safety campaign to local school children.