IRC Argentina preview : The challenges

The dust might have only just settled on a thrilling Rally Internacional de Curitba but the Intercontinental Rally Challenge regulars are already gearing up for the third round of the series in Argentina next week (19-21 March).

Based in the picturesque town of Carlos Paz, 2,200 kilometres south of Curitiba, Rally Argentina might be new to the IRC but it is one of the world’s most established rallies and celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2010.

Famed for its demanding terrain, challenging water splashes and enthusiastic fans that turn out in their thousands to watch the action, Rally Argentina is set to be one of the highlights of the IRC season.

In a break with tradition, two asphalt stages will be included on the mainly gravel-based itinerary this year: the two runs over the Super Special Stage Carlos Paz, which uses closed public roads in the centre of the host town. The first run will take place on the evening of Friday 19 March with the second bringing the event to a close on the afternoon of Sunday 21 March.

The stage, which measures 3.30-kilometres in length, runs past several landmarks in Carlos Paz by the banks of the San Roque Lake and is linked together by two hairpin turns. Crews will tackle the stage in pairs, albeit starting at opposite ends of the course, which is set to create an exciting spectacle.

Following a 20-minute service halt at the permanent service park in Carlos Paz, Saturday’s leg features seven stages in the Calamuchita valley, with Sunday’s action taking in the gravel roads of the Punilla valley, where six stages will be run before the second Super Special Stage in Carlos Paz. The competitive route is just shy of 240 kilometres. There will be a total of six visits to the Carlos Paz service park.

Although they are flowing in nature, the stages in Argentina are renowned for being slightly slower but more technically demanding than those experienced in Curitiba. The surface is also sandier, which increases the risk of punctures because of a greater likelihood of rocks being pulled into the road by the competing cars. Because the road surface is softer, ruts can form following the first pass. However, the forecast is for dry, albeit cloudy weather in the build-up to the rally.

The sandy surface could lead to anomalies in the stage times with the traditional Group N machinery, such as the Subaru Impreza and Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer, likely to be more evenly matched with the Super 2000 cars (M-Sport’s Ford Fiesta, Peugeot’s 207 and Skoda’s Fabia), which are set to challenge for overall victory.

Because the Super 2000 machines rely on normally aspirated power, they do not have the same levels of torque as the turbo-charged Group N machines and could be put at a disadvantage, particularly when exiting corners. It will require those in Super 2000 cars to adopt a smooth driving style in order to avoid excessive time loss.

Sixty-nine crews have entered Rally Argentina, the highest number to have registered for a round of the IRC so far this season. While the majority are based in Argentina, several have travelled from Brazil and Uruguay to contest the Codasur championship, which runs in tandem with the IRC and Argentine national championship on the event. The cars and equipment belonging to the IRC regulars who competed in Brazil were transported in convoy by road from Curitiba to Carlos Paz.