Rally Bulgaria

Making its debut as a round of the World Rally Championship this year is Rally Bulgaria; the oldest and most prestigious round of the country's national series.

First run in 1970, Rally Bulgaria was the sole WRC candidate rally in 2009 and will take the step up to the world stage after a successful period as a round of the FIA European Rally Championship.

Run from the Black Sea resorts of Zlantni Piasatzi and Albena between 1970 and 2001, the rally moved to south central Bulgaria in 2002 to its current base in the Rila mountain winter resort of Borovets, 60km from the capital Sofia.

The first of four asphalt rallies in 2010, Bulgaria represents a leap into the unknown for the majority of WRC teams and drivers. But if the popularity of the European Championship rally is anything to go by, the combination of a challenging, compact route and the stunning mountain scenery will make it an exciting addition.

New for 2010

The whole thing. After 39 years as the country's premier rally event, Rally Bulgaria finally makes its debut in the World Rally Championship.