Rally of Nations Mexico - 10-12 Jul 09

Posted: July 9, 2009 10:31 AM

PIRELLI TEAM ITALIA PRESENT AT THE RALLY OF NATIONS

Posted: July 7, 2009 5:44 PM

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 9th to 12th. 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.

TONI GARDEMEISTER TO COMPLEMENT AN ALREADY POWERFUL CORONA TEAM FINLAND

Posted: July 6, 2009 6:01 PM

Corona Rally Mexico, in its Rally of Nations edition, has confirmed the presence of yet another of the world’s leading names to race on the outskirts of Guanajuato from July 9th to 12th next: the Finnish driver Toni Gardemeister will team up with Harri Rovanperä to create a highly competitive and spectacular duo. Gardemeister and Rovanperä are already getting ready for their arrival in the city of León, Guanajuato.

With this confirmation, Finland has brought together two of its greatest drivers of the last few years. Gardemeister, who began in the WRC category in 1997 and has been a member of teams such as Seat, Skoda, Ford, Citroën, Mitsubishi and Suzuki, has made the podium on six occasions in the ultimate world circuit.

The Finnish driver has fond memories of Corona Rally Mexico, his having been the first driver to cross the start line in 2005. Mexican audiences were immediately drawn to the man who arrived as the then leader of the World Rally Championship with the Ford team, ultimately finishing in sixth place. He raced again in 2008, this time as official driver for the Suzuki team, although he failed to finish on that occasion.

The 34-year-old driver has expressed his delight at having another opportunity to compete in Mexico, given the quality of the event and its impact worldwide, as the TV coverage of the Corona Rally Mexico, Rally of Nations, will be broadcast in more than 138 countries.

Gardemeister will be behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX 2.0-liter engine 4WD. The last time he raced one of the Japanese manufacturer’s cars in a WRC event was in 2007.

With the name of Corona Team Finland behind them, Toni Gardemeister and Harri Rovanperä are the first team to be tipped as favorites, although they have a tough task ahead against drivers and countries yet to be announced by the organizers.

Entry List

Posted: July 6, 2009 11:49 AM

Rally of Mexico

Phillip Morrow/Damien Connolly and Niall McShea/Marshall Clarke represent Great Britian

Posted: July 6, 2009 11:49 AM

Phillip Morrow/Damien Connolly and Niall McShea/Marshall Clarke represent Great Britian in the Rally of Nations:

Rally of Mexico

Irish NAVIGATOR Brady JOINS TEAM USA FOR MEXICO RALLY OF NATIONS

Posted: July 6, 2009 11:41 AM

The 2009 Rally Mexico is running to a very special format as a Rally of Nations, and in the midst of all this exciting world competition will be an Irish co driver Martin Brady as he travels from his home in Navan to Leon Mexico to team up with driver Piotr Wiktorczyk. The pair will form one part of the Team USA entry. Each country’s team of 2 cars will be awarded both drivers’ points given according to their stage position. This will allow the crews to gain points and prizes for the driver’s and for the country’s title.

Piotr and Martin have competed successfully together many times before on the Rally America championship but this will be a new venture for both of them to visit Mexico for such a competition. Piotr has been having a very successful season to date in the American series and has recently qualified for the prestigious X Games by virtue of his class winning results.

Martin is currently reining 2008 UK Mitsubishi Evolution Challenge Co Driver and in 2009 he again leads that series and the overall UK national gravel championship as co driver to talented Wicklow driver Daniel Barry.

Martin commented, I’m really looking forward to Mexico it looks an amazing country and an even greater rally. It’s certainly something different and I’m certain with our USA team mate Pat Moro that we can have a successful team run and although the competition is as fierce as can be I’m hoping with a bit of luck on our side we can be in the hunt for the win by the end of the rally if we can settle on a good speed to last what will be a tough rally”. The rally has attracted some of the best drivers in the world such as the Finnish team of Rovanpera and Gardemeister, so the competition will be fierce.

One of the highlights of this innovative rally is its scoring system, whereby points are tallied based on how fast they finish the stages for each driver individually, as well as by country. At the end of each day, the points are posted on a scoreboard. The scores set the opening positions for the following day and so on, until the awards ceremony on Sunday, where extraordinary prize purses will be awarded per driver and per country.. The prizes include

$ 500.00 USD to the winning Crew per stage won.
$ 5,000.00 USD to the winning Team for each day
and the main prize,
$ 50,000.00 USD to the winning Team of Rally of Nations.

THE SUPER SPECIAL SCOTIABANK AND THE COCA-COLA STREET STAGE SET TO BE GREAT ATTRACTIONS AT THE RALLY OF NATIONS

Posted: July 6, 2009 11:37 AM

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 10th, 11th and 12th, 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 12th, 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 11th 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.

SPAIN SEEKS THE TITLE OF NATIONS IN MEXICO
Drivers Xavi Pons and Dani Sola make Spain one of the countries to watch

Posted: July 6, 2009 11:36 AM

With their eyes on Corona Rally Mexico, to take place from July 9th to 12th on the outskirts of Guanajuato, Spain has stepped up to the plate by sending a first-rate racing team. International drivers Xavi Pons and Dani Sola will proudly bear the Spanish flag on their cars, their having teamed up for the Rally of Nations.

This decision makes Spain one of the favorite countries to win in Mexico, given the quality of both drivers, who have participated in previous editions of the Corona Rally Mexico, Dani Sola actually winning the 2004 WRC in the production cars category.

With victories in Germany and Corsica in the production category, a dirt rally championship in Spain in 2008 and the experience of having been an official WRC driver for Subaru, Citroën and OMV, Xavi Pons, like his fellow countryman, will be a name to watch out for in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX.

“I’m thrilled to represent Spain alongside Dani Sola. I have done the Mexican circuit three times and it is, without a doubt, one of my favorites among those I’ve experienced. I am in good shape and I hope to do well. I would like to congratulate the organizers on this project; the Rally of Nations is a great idea,” said Pons.

Dani Sola already has one world championship behind him in the WRC Junior category, as well as the asphalt rally of 2006 and the dirt rally of 2007 in Spain, and has experience as an official driver of the Mitsubishi team in 2004 and Ford BP in 2005, credentials which will make the Catalan a tough act to beat during the Corona Rally Mexico. Dani enjoys great appeal among Mexican motor racing enthusiasts and has friends there that will certainly be out rooting for him every day.

“It is great to go back to Mexico, for me it’s one of the best rally events in the world. The fans are wonderful and the organization is perfect. Having a Rally of Nations is a great idea and I'm convinced that it will be a success. Once again, Mexico will be one of the major players in world motorsport,” commented the Spanish driver by phone.

The level of competition in the Rally of Nations will surely become more and more interesting over the next few days as other teams are announced, including Corona Team Finland and other powerful duos.

DIDIER AURIOL AND BRICE TIRABASSI SIGN UP FOR FRANCE

Posted: July 6, 2009 11:34 AM

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 - Andreas Aigner and Manfred Stohl

Posted: July 6, 2009 11:33 AM

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.

BIG STARS AT RALLY OF NATIONS  

Posted: June 26, 2009 2:42 PM

 The Corona Rally Mexico will be held in Guanajuato next July 9, 10, 11 and 12 under a completely innovative format called “Rally of Nations,” where a large number of rallying stars will convene for this unique competition that will take place in the same facilities and along the same route that have hosted the World Rally Championship for five years now.  

Although Mexico is not included in the 2009 calendar for the World Rally Championship, its organizers have decided to continue with what has become a tradition in North America. Given that the WRC is coming back in 2010, a new and interesting format has been created, consisting of a three-day competition along a 250-km route that features a super special stage and, for the first time, a street stage.  

One of the highlights of this innovative rally is its scoring system, whereby points are tallied for each driver individually, as well as by country. At the end of each day, the points are posted on a scoreboard, so the time difference does not matter. The scoreboard sets the opening positions for the following day and so on, until the awards ceremony on Sunday, where extraordinary prize purses will be awarded per driver and per country.  

The impressive roster of drivers that have confirmed their attendance makes the Corona Rally Mexico, in its Rally of Nations version, most appealing for rally fans. This is a sports event that not only offers a fascinating format and incredible facilities, but is also enhanced by the presence of the international personalities who will take part in it. Participating drivers include: for Finland, Harri Rovanperä and Toni Gardemeister; Dani Sola and Xevi Pons representing Spain; for Austria, Manfred Stohl and Andreas Aigner; from France, Didier Auriol and Brice Tirabassi; representing Italy, Mario Isola and Stefano Marrini; for Germany, Hermann Gassner Jr. and Mark Wallenwein; Canada will be represented by its best drivers, Patrick Richard and Antoine L’Estage, national champions for the fifth consecutive year. In addition, there will be distinguished competitors from Costa Rica, Ecuador, the United States, Uruguay, Peru and, of course, Mexico.  

This adventure, filled with competitiveness and adrenaline, will have a special touch: drivers will be competing on equal terms, as they will all drive Group N4 cars compliant with the same regulations. Each driver and co-driver team’s skill will make the difference in determining the winner.  

With all these attractions, Mexico and the state of Guanajuato are ready to bid a warm welcome to all the competitors, crews, fans and media, to what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable event.  

Event Website

Posted: June 26, 2009 2:39 PM

Rally of Mexico