Rate it!

0 votes

This weekend's Intercontinental Rally Challenge event will see crews take on the slippery asphalt of the Oviedo region as the series gathers for its ninth round at Spain's Rally Principe de Asturias.

Britain's Kris Meeke currently leads the drivers' standings after a hat-trick of victories in Brazil, the Azores and Ypres earlier this year.

Nevertheless the Peugeot UK driver's margin has been whittled down by victories for works Skoda Motorsport driver Jan Kopecky in Russia and his home event the Barum Czech Rally Zlin - and now only three points separate the two.

"It was fantastic for me, for my co-driver Petr Stary and the whole team to win on home ground in the Czech Republic," said Kopecky.

"If I had the chance to win the IRC drivers' title it would be unbelievable, although Kris is still going to be strong everywhere.

"If I get the chance to take the battle to the end then I will; this year has been fantastic for us so far."

Behind them in the title race lie the hugely experienced and extremely consistent Freddy Loix with his Benelux-entered Peugeot and the works Abarth team leader Giandomenico Basso who are tied in third place some 15 points off Meeke's lead.

Like Loix, Nicolas Vouilloz will be a threat in his 207 S2000: the reigning IRC champion finished second in the event last year, while Loix took third.

The capital of the principality of Asturias, and well-known as the hometown of double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso, Oviedo also plays host to what remains the longest-standing motorsport passion of Spanish fans: flat-out asphalt rallying.

On Thursday evening the ceremonial start will take place in the city centre where only last week Alonso performed an F1 demonstration for his fans.

The 46th Rally Principe de Asturias will run in two legs across two days with 15 special stages totalling a competitive distance of 254km.

Starting early on Friday morning, there will be nine stages in the opening leg with a further six taking the event to a finish on Saturday afternoon.

Day one LIVE at 11pm on Friday September 11 on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

Eurosport