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WRC drivers offer first verdict on Paraguay’s 'unique' stages
World Rally Championship drivers are predicting a challenging inaugural Rally Paraguay after describing the event’s stages as “unique” and more “tricky” than anticipated.
The top-tier Rally1 teams are unable to conduct pre-event tests of the conditions as WRC regulations do not allow for testing to the undertaken outside of Europe for flyway rounds. It means this weekend’s round will offer a level playing field with the battle for victory wide open.
Drivers and co-drivers received their first taste of the WRC’s newest event in Thursday’s shakedown stage that followed the prescribed two days of reconnaissance in road cars to make their all important pacenotes for the weekend’s 19 gravel stages.
The limited experience has confirmed that Paraguay will serve up a road surface unlike any other on the WRC calendar that will test the crews to their limit. WRC drivers offered their first impressions of the stages following a pass through the 4.92 km Trinidad pass.
Inconsistent grip, unexpected crests and compressions, and loose rocks appear to be the hazards that will need to be overcome.
Eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier is among a group of drivers looking forward to the challenge, although the most successful and experienced driver from this year’s field is expecting a tough battle ahead.
“It is always exciting. I think it is the essence of rally by having new notes and trusting them. But I can already feel from shakedown that it won’t be an easy week, the grip is changing a lot. It is not easy to read and it is all happening at high speed, so it will be a challenging weekend. Stage one tomorrow will be a good wake up call,” said Ogier.
Fellow title contender, Hyundai’s Ott Tanak admitted the conditions appear to be much tougher than previous predicted.
"From shakedown it looks much more tricky than anticipated. The grip changes are massive so it is a tricky surface,” said Tanak, who is 13 points behind championship leader Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.
“They [the stages] are definitely unique and there is nothing really comparable. I guess they will have their own challenges that we will need to try to anticipate.”
Adding to the challenge for the crews is that fact the stage characteristics will vary significantly across the weekend.
“Every day is different and there are so many different characteristics, and this shakedown stage is pretty bonkers already," said M-Sport-Ford’s Josh McErlean.
“The fans are everywhere and are proper passionate, so I’m just trying to enjoy the new adventure.
“Stage one is one of the biggest, it is an exciting start and hopefully we have a clean day and stay out of dramas as starting high up on the road on Saturday is not where you want to be.”
The 19-stage Rally Paraguay is scheduled to begin on Friday with the opening stage due to commence at 12:03 BST.
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