Rally Argentina

One of the WRC's most spectacular and demanding events, Rally Argentina is based from the town of Villa Carlos Paz, 35km south of Cordoba and right in the heart of the stunning Cordobese Sierras.

The competitive action takes place in the three valleys of Cordoba province, each of which offers gravel stages of differing character and landscape. The scenery ranges from huge expanses of open plains north of Carlos Paz, to the mountains further west where narrow rocky tracks wind through a dramatic, high altitude landscape that resembles the surface of the moon. In general the stages of Rally Argentina are soft and sandy, with many river crossings, and frequently become rough and rutted on repeat passes. The blend of high speeds and bumpy terrain can make Argentina a car breaker. If that wasn't enough, the high altitude of the stages, just as in Mexico, saps the cars of power as they struggle for breath in the thin air.

  New for 2008

Several stages near La Falda have been dropped in favour of ones not used for several years. Organisers have also scrapped the opening stage in Buenos Aires' River Plate soccer stadium which proved a logistical headache in 2007. A shift to the early autumn season means weather conditions are likely to be unpredictable.