The 42nd RallyRACC Catalunya-Costa Daurada,
in six weeks' time
Only five months after the last edition, the 42nd RallyRACC Catalunya-Costa Daurada – Rallye de España will be staged on time as announced, from March 24 to 26, thus becoming part of the first rounds of the 2006 World Rally Championship, to be precise, it will be the fourth scoring race of the calendar. Regardless of the fact that the RallyRACC debuted last time in its new location in the province of Tarragona, the Spanish round recorded a major sports success and recognition among drivers and teams. In any case, the RACC has wanted to provide this 42nd edition with further novelties despite the race scheme having already been fully valid in 2005.
Thus, two new stages and a new location for the shakedown will contribute to making this year's race, including the change of dates and consequently of weather conditions, a simply different race. Moreover, with the WRC just having started and with many things yet to happen, the race will become a further link within the fight for the championship that will be having a new format this year. With major sporting attractions, the 42nd RallyRACC Catalunya-Costa Daurada is getting ready to enjoy the magic of the championship in the also magic location made up by Salou and the PortAventura theme park.
•First real date of the season on asphalt
If the 2005 RallyRACC Catalunya-Costa Daurada had been the last big championship round on asphalt, this year it will have the privilege of being the first race the WRC teams will have to cover on this kind of surface. The slippery roads of Monte-Carlo, the snow in Sweden or the difficult gravel stages in Mexico will have nothing in common with the twisty tarmac roads in Tarragona which the drivers already enjoyed last year (with 85% of it completely new). Likewise, a further feature of the Spanish round is that the participants of the RallyRACC will have to race in Corsica, two weeks later, with the same engine and chassis used in Catalunya, following the regulations set by the FIA as a measure to reduce costs.
•Daniel Sordo (RACC-Citroën) starts the defence of his Junior WRC title in Catalunya
After achieving the longed-for and deserved Junior World Champion title last year at the RallyRACC Catalunya-Costa Daurada, Daniel Sordo will be back on Catalan grounds, again at the wheel of the Citroën C2 Super 1600, in top shape and with the same will to repeat the success in front of his fans. “We have to start the Junior World Championship with a win and there is no better place to do it than Catalunya, in front of my fans, isn't there? I'm really grateful with all the fans because they are supporting me more and more and that helps me a lot when I'm inside the car. But it doesn't really affect me as regards pressure. I always do all I can; some times it works out, and some times it doesn't. The aim for the RallyRACC is winning, because it would be great to clinch a victory right at the first rally of the JWRC season. I just have to do it (laughs)”.
The RACC driver, who just arrived from the Rally Sweden where he finished 16th on board a Citroën Xsara WRC of the Kronos Racing Team, adds: “This year's Junior WRC will be difficult. There are nine races, six of which are scoring rounds and not all of us will be racing the same races, so it will be more even. In my opinion, it's just as complicated as last year, although I must say that I feel really comfortable with the C2 Super 1600 and confidence is high”.
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