Mixed Cyprus Route Confirmed
Organisers for the Cyprus Rally, third round in the 2009 world championship, have now publicly issued details of the controversial asphalt stages to be run on the first day of the event, which drivers will tackle on gravel tyres. Drivers' reaction are generally cautious. Jari-Matti Latvala said "It sounds a bit strange but I imagine the roads in Cyprus will be very slow and technical, and if this is the case, maybe driving asphalt roads on gravel tyres will be OK. If there are very fast roads it would not be fun at all. One thing is for sure. There is bound to be a lot of loose gravel on the gravel roads in Cyprus and maybe everybody will want to back-off a bit on the first day so not to have to run first car on the road on the second and third day. Maybe there will be some ‘playing around' (tactical rallying) on the Friday. Ford have not yet had a chance to test the gravel tyres on asphalt. This will not happen until a couple of weeks before Cyprus. Citroen have already made initial tests and found tyre wear was a little heavier than usual. "

Takis Kyriakides, Cyprus Rally Clerk of the Course, explained the revolutionary idea: "We in Cyprus wanted to run both asphalt and gravel stages. A lot of this centred on the FIA's decision that Cyprus Rally this year should qualify not only for the PCWRC but particularly also for the JWRC. In order to give fairer conditions to the JWRC drivers, it was very important that we reduce to a minimum the number of gravel stages to be run twice. In this way the amount of damage caused to the back marker cars should be substantially reduced".

Phil Short Appointed Pirelli Star Driver Manager
Former M-Sport world championship sporting adviser Phil Short has become manager for the 2009 Pirelli Star Driver programme, due to start in Rally of Portugal. His work is to liaise with all the five drivers who have won six free drives in Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X cars on world championship events, prepared by Ralliart Italia. The five drivers are to have training sessions at the end of February in Britain, then will have their first chance to test their rally cars in Italy before Cyprus Rally.

Fond Australian Farewell to Toyota
Toyota's two official Super 2000 entries finished first and second on the final appearance of their team in Australian championship rallying. The event was the asphalt Rally of Tasmania, opening round of the Australian RC and the winner was team leader Neal Bates. Subarus driven by Eli Evans and Brendan Reeves finished third and fourth. Bates had been in charge of the official Toyota rally team in the country for the past 19 years. An official Toyota rally team continues to operate in South Africa.

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photo: Takis Kyriakides, Cyprus Rally Clerk of the Course