IRC Ypres preview : The challenges

The Intercontinental Rally Challenge is back on Tarmac and back in mainland Europe after a thrilling showdown on the demanding gravel roads of Sardinia earlier this month. But the Geko Ypres Rally in northwest Belgium is an asphalt rally like no other.

At first glance the stages appear to represent little in the way of a challenge with long and flat straights and 90-degree junctions characterising the compact route. However, lining the narrow farmland roads are numerous drainage ditches and telegraph pylons waiting to catch out the unwary. Throw in changeable weather and constant surface changes and it soon becomes clear why this rally demands so much respect from the drivers and regularly attracts tens of thousands of enthusiastic spectators.

While it’s not uncommon for first timers to win in Ypres (Luca Rossetti and Kris Meeke were victorious on their maiden appearances in 2007 and 2009 respectively), local knowledge is considered essential, particularly knowing where to cut the tight corners and when to play safe by taking a more conventional line to avoid punctures.

Although a powerful engine and strong brakes are essential for being quick in Ypres, with top speeds of up to 170kph drivers have to judge their braking points to perfection in order to maximise the amount of speed they carry into and out of the corners, putting the onus on driver commitment and accurate pacenotes.

Ypres isn’t just known for its unique and demanding stages, however. The historic market town, known as Ieper to Flemish speakers, becomes the rally’s epicentre for the duration of the event with the central service park dominating the famous Grote Markt and filling the surrounding streets due to the 100-plus entry. Both legs run into the night and the atmosphere in the town when crews return to end of day service in is an experience to savour.

Following shakedown on Thursday evening, crews get Friday morning off before the traditional autograph session and media events. Competitive action gets underway late on Friday afternoon with two loops of three stages south of Ypres, separated by service in the town. The first car is due to reach the overnight halt just after 22:00hrs.

The rally heads west on Saturday morning with two all-new stages, Proven-Vieteren and Watou based around the town of Poperinge. Crews then work their way back to service via the Kemmelberg test to the far south of Ypres. The lunchtime stages use roads around Ypres with the Lille-Eurometropole stage taking place just before 16:00hrs. After another service, the morning stages are repeated with the final runs through the Langemark, Dikkebus and Heuvelland stages being held late into the night on Saturday prior to the finishing ramp ceremony from 22:40hrs.