RACC Rallye de
España

There has been significant change for Spain's round of the WRC in recent years. First the move from the Costa Brava to the Costa Daurada on the other side of Barcelona in 2005, and then a calendar move back to autumn in 2007.

The event's nature hasn't changed much, however, with the wide, sweeping asphalt roads providing the fastest sealed-surface stages of the season. Racing driving techniques can pay dividends on the fast asphalt stages as drivers aim for smooth lines through the turns to maximise their speed.

The event is based in the PortAventura theme park, in the town of Salou in the Tarragona region. It's extremely popular with spectators - especially the Spanish who were weaned on years of success for double champion and 26-times rally winner Carlos Sainz.

New for 2009

The rally has the same October date as 2008 but a new position as the penultimate round of the WRC season. Spain is also the decisive round in the 2009 J-WRC season.