New stages create excitement in WRC field

The Concepción-based event returns to the WRC fold for the first time in four years, with the world’s fastest drivers all loving being back in South America. 

Winner last time out Ott Tänak said: “This is a great place to come for rallying. Most of the stages are new ones, but there are so many roads for the organisers to choose from – and they all have great character.”

Thierry Neuville echoed those comments, saying: “I like the profile of the roads here, some of them are quite like the stages we have in New Zealand and some in Australia. They’re nice. Technically the speed is good and I think, if anything, they are even nicer than they were in 2019. 

“Even for the recce things are better than before, last time we did the recce and we were in the full fog.”

Leading WRC2 runner Oliver Solberg is set for his Chilean debut. The Swede said: “The roads are fantastic! I know some people said it already, but in places it looks quite like New Zealand, but honestly some of the places it’s so wide and so fast. It’s going to be a lot of fun to drive here.”

Rally Chile Bio Bío gets underway with a ceremonial start in Bio Bío’s capital city Los Ángeles, south of the Concepción service park on Thursday evening.