03/10/2007
Shakedown in Tivissa: The last big test before the 43 RallyRACC

Colin McRae (Citroën) Shakedown 2003

After the reconnaissance, time has come for the so-called Shakedown, or test stage, which is covered before the race. A perfect chance for the teams to fine-tune their cars and decide on the final tyre choice for the first leg. The Shakedown is usually staged on a road section with very similar features to the rally route, but in this 43rd edition of the RallyRACC Catalunya-COSTA DAURADA, Rally de España, the test section chosen is actually a part of the rally itself, because it is located on the TV-3031 road leading from Tivissa to La Serra d'Almos, between KM 1.08 and 5.06 (3.98 km in total). This section is exactly the same as the section that will be covered by participants during the second leg as "La Serra d'Almos" (SS 10 and 14), but in opposite direction.

The schedule of the Shakedown, tomorrow Thursday 4th, will be from 08.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. for first and second FIA priority drivers, from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. for first, second and third FIA priority drivers and from 12.30 p.m. to 02.30 p.m. for non-priority drivers. Since the shakedown stage is located 50 km from the Service Park in PortAventura, the organisation has set-up an exclusive service park for the shakedown, which will be located in the village of Móra la Nova. Therefore, RACC Motor Sport has prepared for Thursday from 08.00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m. a subsidiary press room in Móra la Nova to make the work of the accredited media easier and let them follow the Shakedown on site. Móra la Nova is a village close to La Serra d'Almos, which will be the venue of the shakedown. Shakedown times will be received in the subsidiary press room via the Internet and the facilities will be fitted with ADSL service, telephone and photocopier.

This subsidiary press room - which will be only operating during the shakedown - will be located in "Llar de Jubilats de Móra la Nova" (senior citizens' social club), in Calle Francesc Macià no. 60 in Mora la Nova, only 20 metres from the Service Park. The main press room is located in the Hotel PortAventura, where accredited journalists will be able to pick up their respective credentials.

Since it is compulsory to wear a helmet and racing outfit for the shakedown, and the race vehicles are fitted with their numbers and rally plates, it is a perfect chance to take pictures that will be identical to those of the race and to have access to the drivers without the obvious difficulties during the race.

Tomorrow, start ceremony in Salou with a tribute to Colin McRae

Colin McRae took part in nine editions of the RallyRACC (1995-2003), taking the victory twice (1995 and 2000) and finishing second once (1994). The Rally de España wants to pay tribute to this exceptional sportsman with a public engagement during which he will be remembered showing several photographies of his sports career, and counting on the presence of many guests, friends of Colin, including his former race-mates Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya. This ceremony, which will also be attended by the official WRC drivers and representatives of the teams in memory of the passed champion, will be held on the Salou promenade, at 07.30 p.m., tomorrow, October 4th, 15 minutes before the ceremonial start of the 43 RallyRACC Catalunya-COSTA DAURADA, Rally de España. Likewise, a panel exhibiting photographic memories of Colin McRae's participation in the Catalan Race will be shown in the hall of the headquarters located in the Hotel PortAventura.