Latvala inspired by McRae onboards
Finn in search of McRae’s perfect stages
Argentina countdown: the rally route
Long, punishing stages have been the hallmark of Rally Argentina (23 - 26 April) in recent seasons and although 2015’s route shows changes, surviving the endurance sections unscathed will play as big a role as pure pace in the outcome.
Friday and Saturday’s legs contain tests exceeding 50km and both are driven twice, so four of the event’s 12 stages fall under the marathon label.
A new 2.68km super special stage in Merlo kicks off the 35th edition of the South American classic before a long liaison section back to the host town of Villa Carlos Paz, around which the remaining three days are based.
Friday offers new challenges with the classic 51.99km test from Agua de Oro to Ascochinga driven in the reverse direction to last year, and the 20.31km stage from Villa Bustos to Tanti on roads unused since 2007.
Both are repeated ahead of the popular super special stage on the edge of Villa Carlos Paz, which will be broadcast live on WRC+.
The fast, open plains of the Punilla Valley host the second leg, with the 56.77km San Marcos - Characato providing a stern challenge. Much of the test is new, but drivers will need a good memory to recall the sections last used eight years ago.
Sunday will be one of the year’s classic days. The 32.64km of action is split into two passes through the famous El Condor test, the second of which will form the live TV Power Stage with bonus points for the fastest three drivers.
High in the barren lunar landscape of the Traslasierra mountains, the roads are rough and huge crowds will watch the drivers wind around massive rocks down into the faster and smoother valley roads below.
The 12 stages cover 345.70km in a route of 1641.54km.
