WRC News
Organisers of 2009 world championship round 3 (Cyprus Rally) have confirmed that FIA officials are happy with the asphalt roads chosen for the first leg of their event. This is the first world championship event in thirteen years to have their rally divided into dedicated asphalt and gravel stage legs. FIA inspector Simo Lampinen explained that the asphalt stages used on leg 1 present a mixture of conditions, ranging from recently rebuilt roads used previously as a gravel stage through to narrower and bumpier sections, but always with protection against the mountainous drops along the roads. Lampinen said "I estimate the stages will be run at less than a 100kph average, even for the top cars. In some places there are some easily accessible places providing spectacular opportunities to watch the cars for long distances". In earlier years when Cyprus Rally was held as an all-gravel event, the Cyprus Rally had a tradition of being easily the most twisty and the slowest rally in the championship. Clerk of the Course Takis Kyriakides confirms that the shakedown course will be run on asphalt roads.

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