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Mont Blanc Rally 2009

Editor — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:39:29 +0000

When travelling around the Joux Plane passes or Morzine region between the 3rd and 5th of September 2009, visitors will be probably run into the participants of the Mont Blanc Rally, which is being hosted for the 61st time this year. Travelling though the mountainous regions and narrow roads, drivers put their own skills and abilities to the test, and with both day and night races, the Mont Blanc Rally is a wonderful and exciting event for spectators.

Won by Danny Snobeck last year, auto racing enthusiasts are encouraged to attend this event and enjoy the thrill and festivities of the Mont Blanc Rally.

Date: 3-5 September 2009
Venue: Various Locations
City: Morzine
Country: France

Rally of Nations 2009 gets underway with ceremonial Start in Guanajuato

Corona Rally Mexico — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 07:28:30 +0000

The Corona Rally México in it’s edition Rally of Nations 2009 got off to a colorful start in the city of Guanajuato, to the sound of mariachis, and folk music that set many a foot tapping, together with many other expressions of Mexican culture. Guanajuato, a World Heritage town, threw quite a bash to welcome the 45 crews who will be fighting for first place tomorrow, when the race is on.

The main ceremonial start for this edition took place in front of both the Juárez Theatre and the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, where more than 30,000 people gathered to give rally participants a typically warm Mexican welcome, and to wish them good luck in the race.

The icing on the cake was an appearance by 2003 WRC champion, the Norwegian Petter Solberg, who rode in on a motorcycle to surprise the crowd, getting the Mexican feeling.

The first crew to get on the podium to receive the applause of the audience was that made up of one of the legends in world rally events, the Frenchman Didier Auriol, together with Denis Giraudet, who has been his co-driver during a great part of his history in the sport.

They were the first major names to drive onto the podium in front of the Juarez Theatre, followed by international figures such as the Finns, Harri Rovanperä and Toni Gardemeister; the Spaniards Dani Sola and Xavi Pons; the Swede Per-Gunar Andersson; the Austrian Manfred Stohl and his female co-driver Ilka Minor, as well as promising newcomer, Andreas Aigner. The Mexican teams were well represented by the current champion in Production Car group, Rodrigo Ordoñez, as well as Ricardo Triviño a driver who has competed in several world championships.

Petter Solberg returns to Mexico

Corona Rally Mexico — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:56:22 +0000

Norwegian driver, Petter Solberg, has confirmed his presence in Guanajuato, at the Corona Rally Mexico, Rally of Nations edition. The 2003 world champion and current WRC driver will be arriving in Mexico City next Wednesday, later heading for León, Guanajuato, where he’ll be providing an alternative attraction and mixing with the other drivers and fans, his being unable to compete against the other major figures that will be there due to his packed schedule.

His arrival in the city of León is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, July 9^th, and he will be attending the Shakedown, where he will probably spend at least some time behind the wheel, though not for the same reason as the competitors, but simply to offer the special guests the experience of riding shotgun with a former world champion, something that would not have happened had he been in competition.

After the Shakedown, he will be at the Poliforum, where he will be signing autographs for the public in general. The Mexican audience still recalls his 2005 victory at this very same venue, where, following his win, he celebrated, Mexican-style, in a traditional charro hat.

We can also confirm that the Norwegian driver will be present at the Start Ceremony, but this time aboard the “0” car. So, given his charisma and the special empathy he has with the Mexican fans, it’ll be quite a show. This time the start line will be in front of the Juarez Theater, with a second show in front of the Alhóndiga de Granaditas.

During the competition, there will also be driving experiences during the Scotiabank Super Special Stage, autograph signings and interviews with the media.

“I’m very excited about going back to Mexico; its rally is very well organized and the legs are really good.” The people are among the best. I remember very well all their support when I won in 2005. It was fantastic and something that I will never forget”, declared Solberg.

With this confirmation, Petter Solberg joins the contingent of world personalities at the Corona Rally Mexico, and, although he won’t be competing, he has praised the organization of this event.

Pirelli Team Italia Present at Rally of Nations

Corona Rally Mexico — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:30:01 +0000

The State of Guanajuato is all set to welcome the entire contingent of those who will be participating in the Corona Rally Mexico, Rally of Nations, an event to take place from July 9^th to 12^th. Each nation’s representatives are taking care of the last-minute details before their arrival in Mexico this coming weekend, among them, Pirelli Team Italy, made up of Stefano Marrini and Mario Isola, under the sponsorship of Pirelli.

Since 1996, 35-year-old driver Marrini has participated in Rally events in Italy and in the World Rally Championship, where he placed eighth overall in the production category in 2006. In 2004, he took part in Corona Rally Mexico, competing in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII, so he is somewhat familiar with the event. “I want to congratulate the organizers of Corona Rally Mexico; they are putting together one of the most important rally events of 2009. The idea of bringing together major names from around the world in the same cars is really interesting. I’m very happy with the service park, which is incredible, especially the crew. I wish them all good luck,” said Marrini.

Meanwhile, the Director of Pirelli Motorsport, Mario Isola, besides sponsoring his team will also be giving himself the opportunity to compete, as he has done on previous occasions. “I’m thrilled to be part of the line-up for this rally, the first for me on gravel and alongside major champions competing for their countries no less. The idea of creating this event is a great one and I want to congratulate the organizers for all the work they are doing,” commented Isola.

Pirelli Team Italy will have two Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX cars at its disposal, and all the cars in the event will be using this same Italian brand of tire, which will be an interesting situation in the Coca Cola Street Stage, which is over a paved stretch of road.

The Super Special Scotiabank and Coca-Cola Street Stage

Corona Rally Mexico — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:53:47 +0000

To add to the fantastic quality and spectacle that is guaranteed by all the drivers who have confirmed their participation in the Corona Rally Mexico, Rally of Nations edition, the Organizing Committee has introduced speed stages that will surely be a great attraction for the audience, and which include the Super Special Scotiabank Stage in the competition’s itinerary, to take place at León’s race circuit, the Autódromo, as it has done during previous editions of WRC. In addition, a road race stage, the Coca-Cola Street Stage, is to take place for the first time in the city of León.

Once again, León’s race circuit will be the setting for a display of rallying at its highest level, where this coming July 10^th, 11^th and 12^th, the venue will host speed stages involving head-to-head races, in which two cars will start out at the same time, competing to their maximum capacities against each other and against the clock, given that this stage is an integral part of the rally.

Under the name “Super Special Scotiabank Stage”, this phase of the rally will be played out over a 2.21 km route. On Friday 10 and Saturday 11, this route will run twice, starting at 3:00 p.m. on both days. On Sunday, July 12^th, there will be only one run, starting at 10:00 a.m., so the Organizing Committee suggests the audience should arrive early because of the various side events that will be taking place.

Entrance to the race circuit costs 80 pesos in the general area, 150 pesos in the stands overlooking the straight, and 300 pesos in the marquee area. Tickets can be bought on the day at the ticket offices or beforehand via the web site, at www.rallydelasnaciones.com, where you can buy and print an e-ticket, which will be good for access, without any need to change it for a pre-printed ticket.

As for the Coca-Cola Street Stage, this will, without a doubt, be quite a novelty, since it is the first time that the Organizing Committee has tried such a thing. The stage consists of a 1.87-km route along the street that divides the Explora Park and Poliforum facilities and the Nou Camp Soccer Stadium.

In this stage, cars will set off one by one, in a race against the clock to be held on Friday, July 10th and Saturday 11^th only. On Friday, things will start at around 10:30 a.m., and on Saturday, under the name “Powerade Street Stage”, at approximately 10:50 a.m. It is important to mention that this event will be free of charge.

Safety measures will be very strict and there will be public areas available, though with limited capacity, as well as special areas to accommodate authorized photographers, cameramen and journalists.

Sweden Confirms a first rate team for Rally of Nations

Corona Rally Mexico — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:51:26 +0000

With their eyes on Corona Rally Mexico, Rally of Nations, great drivers continue to confirm their presence in Guanajuato, Mexico. Now it is Sweden’s turn to sign up two of their international drivers, Per-Gunnar Andersson and Patrik Sandell—Junior champions in 2004 and 2006 respectively—who will proudly bear their country’s flag, and who have already said they intend to win.

Having visited Mexico twice already—in 2005, when he took second place in the Junior category, and again in 2008, when as official driver for the Suzuki WRC team he was forced to drop out of the race—PG Andersson is familiar with the route of Corona Rally Mexico, something that will certainly make a difference in the Rally of Nations, which sticks largely to the previous route.

Twelve victories in the Junior category and one championship set the Swede up to drive a Suzuki WRC car in 2008, when the Japanese company first tested the waters in this, the ultimate category. Despite being his first year, Andersson managed two fifth places, a testament to his great driving skills.

“We are going to Mexico to win; Sandell and I will make a very strong team”, said Per-Gunnar.

As for his teammate, with four victories in the WRC Junior category and one championship in this same category to his name, Patrik Sandell, has expressed a strong desire to win on Mexican soil.

Sandell is currently competing in the World Rally Championship’s Production category, where he is in third place overall, having won in Norway and Cyprus.

Team director Anders Dawidson thanked Mexico for its initiative in this event. “For a long time, we have lacked a team in Rally events, and now, two of our best drivers have been given this chance to make the podium”, commented Dawidson.

Didier Auriol and Brice Tirabassi Sign Up for France

Corona Rally Mexico — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:39:33 +0000

The Corona Rally Mexico continues to register world-class drivers. Now, Didier Auriol and Brice Tirabassi have joined forces to form Team France. Each with an impressive record of championships to his name, the two have confirmed their presence in Mexico and expressed their desire to compete in this Rally of Nations, an event they praise for its innovative format.

Didier Auriol is one of the key French names in the rallying world, having been World Champion in 1994 and achieving six victories in one season in 1992, a record that remained unbroken until 2005, when his fellow countryman, Sebastien Loeb, achieved ten.

Having competed for 16 years in the ultimate world rally circuit, Auriol has 20 victories to his name, placing him in seventh place on the list of winning drivers in the World Rally Championship, just behind other major names such as Sebastien Loeb, Marcus Gronholm, Carlos Sainz, Colin McRae, Tommi Makinen and Juha Kankkunen.

Auriol Claimed: “The concept of competing for a nation is a great idea, it gives an extra motivation because you represent your country just like an athlet at the olympic games. On top of that it’s a kind of “flash-back” in the motorsport history when the cars had their country’s color:red for italy, blue for france and so on. About the rally itself I am really looking for it because both Sebastien Loeb and my co-driver Denis told me about the fantastic mountain stages, the very compact route and the beauty of the area, specially Guanajuato. Even if I am not competing so much anymore I have still a strong motivation to win and to bring together with my team mate Brice Tirabassi the best possible result for the french squad.” He finished.

His co-team member in Team France, Brice Tirabassi, is not far behind him, which guarantees a first-rate team. Champion in France in 2002 and World Junior Champion in 2003, Tirabassi has won rallies in his category in Monte Carlo, France and Cyprus.

The 32-year old driver has made it clear that, despite his being this his first rally in Mexico, he has no intention of becoming an also-ran, and expressed how much he is looking forward to enjoying the event and Guanajuato, based on the excellent comments he has heard about both.

Auriol and Tirabassi have praised the format of the event, assuring a worldwide success, where they hope to bring victory to their country.

Austria Lines Up Two Champions

Corona Rally Mexico — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:38:02 +0000

Major international figures continue to join the line-up of participants for Corona Rally Mexico in its Rally of Nations edition. Now, it is Austria’s turn to secure its participation with the current world champion in the production car category, Andreas Aigner, and Manfred Stohl, two of the most successful drivers this Central European country has ever produced. Both drivers have expressed their enthusiasm about competing in Mexico and their desire to win the coveted title.

With rally victories in Monte Carlo, France, Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia under his belt, and the experience of having raced in WRC teams before, Manfred Stohl will compete in the Corona Rally Mexico, where in 2006 he was so successful, Stohl making it to the podium as a team member of OMV, having finished in third place just behind Sebastien Loeb and Peter Solberg.

“Mexico was a great opener to a fantastic 2006 for me, as I made the third place in a WRC car with a private team. The Corona Rally Mexico is a great event, very well organized and with an excellent crew. It will be an excellent competition and I’m ready to be there,” said Stohl.

Andreas Aigner has the best credentials: the Austrian driver is the current world champion in the production car category, and this being the official category at the Rally of Nations, he will surely be one of the favorites.

Aigner has already raced in Mexico, in 2007, and although he finished in eleventh place back then, the champion is confident: “I feel very good in Mexico; the atmosphere is incredible and the people are wonderful. They have a spectacular start”.

The Austrian team will compete behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX and are expected to arrive in Mexico in early July.