WRC
WRC stars swap gravel for goals ahead of Rally Chile
WRC crews swapped pace notes for penalties on Sunday as Rally Chile Biobío took over one of Concepción’s biggest sporting stages ahead of this week’s FIA World Rally Championship action.
Drivers and co-drivers were welcomed onto the pitch at the Estadio Ester Roa Rebolledo ahead of the Huachipato versus Colo Colo fixture, bringing rallying together with one of Chile’s biggest sporting passions in front of thousands of football supporters.
M-Sport Ford crews Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne, and Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy, were joined by WRC2 competitors including Gus Greensmith and Robert Virves, as well as representatives from the Copec RallyMobil championship and local crews.
Wearing Chilean football shirts, the crews joined the pre-match presentation before M-Sport’s representatives took part in the traditional pennant exchange and delivered the match ball.
© WRC
But the WRC contingent’s involvement did not end at kick-off.
Drivers and co-drivers returned to the pitch during the half-time interval for a penalty shootout challenge, with the action shown on the stadium screens and played out in front of the crowd.
Rally machinery also had a starring role throughout the afternoon, with a Junior WRC car and cars from local competitors displayed at the stadium as fans got an early taste of Rally Chile week.
© WRC
The collaboration placed WRC personalities in front of a major mainstream sporting audience just days before competition begins, with the activation also forming part of TNT Sports’ coverage of the match.
Attention now turns from the football pitch to the gravel, with WRC Rally Chile Biobío taking place from 10 – 13 September.
