Street stage confirmed for 2012 IRC opener

The 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge will get off to a spectacular start with a street stage on Sata Rallye Acores, the opening round of the 13-event all-action series.

Scheduled for 2200hrs on Wednesday 22 February, the City Stage in Ponta Delgada will be compulsory for all IRC crews even though it won’t form part of the competitive itinerary.

Drivers and co-drivers will carry out reconnaissance of the stage from 1830hrs on the Wednesday prior to the official crew presentation to members of the public at the Praca Goncalo Velho from 2100hs. The short stage will begin on Ponta Delgada’s seafront on the corner adjacent to the presentation podium. Crews will tackle the stage in two-minute intervals.