Secret Tests for Loeb
It was reported yesterday in Czech Republic that world rally champion Sebastien Loeb has had secret tests driving a Skoda 130LR. Neither Skoda nor Citroen have confirmed or denied the story. This was the 1st of April joke from http://www.ewrc.cz/ewrc/show.php?id=8098

More Green Problems in Greece
Plans to run a new stage on the outskirts of Athens, as an alternative venue to the Ymitos mountain stage cancelled last year, have also run into trouble. The Aegaleo mountain area where the Pikilo stage was to be run is on the west side of the country's capital. It is a popular venue for mountain bike riding but also home to many varieties of bird, insect and plant life. The new Psatha stage is in the Gerania mountains in the western part of Attika, some 50-60km ouside Athens. These mountain roads have been used in Acropolis Rallies in the past and this section will start at sea level. The total length of the event has been increased by around 20km as a result of the change.

Down to the Depths
Route details have now been published for Jordan Rally, identifying the most fascinating aspect of the event - the elevations above sea level involved. Or rather, BELOW sea level...! Of the 12 different venues for stages and shakedown all except one are run in part or wholly below sea level. On the final day a 41km stage will be run twice, and that is completely below sea level. The lowest part of the route is around minus 400 metres and it is on the shores of the Dead Sea at a similar altitude that the rally headquarters and Service Park are situated. A total of 55 crews have entered the event, all with four wheel drive cars except for the competitors in the JWRC category. The FIA has now closed applications for entry in the JWRC at 18 competitors, all but two of whom have nominated this event as one of the six they must contest to qualify.

GT cars in Spain
Five Ferrari 360s have been entered at the Rallye la Vila Joiosa, first round of the Spanish asphalt rally championship. Among the top seeded cars are also three Nissan and two Porsche 997 GT3s, all entered in the national GT category, while in the Group N category will be three Peugeot and two Fiat Super 2000s. The event was won by the Among reigning Spanish champion Miguel Fuster – Fiat Abarth Grande Punto, while the reigning IRC champion Enrique Ojeda (Peugeot 207 S2000) was retired. The first GT car was the third place Porsche 977 driven by Sergio Vallejo.

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