As it attracts ERC and IRC driversThe third rally of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, the Ypres Rally, will take place on 21-24 June 2007 in Ypres, Belgium.
Ypres rally is also a monument of the FIA European Rally Championship and the biggest and most important
rally on the Belgian rally scene.
The rally is the first asphalt event of the IRC and the narrow and twisty roads around Ypres have a very difficult and dangerous reputation with all the top drivers that have ever raced on its grounds. An additional challenge for the foreign teams will be to try following the local specialists!
The stages are on narrow and sometimes bumpy roads, with changeable surfaces ranging from slippery asphalt to rough concrete, and usually with some dangerous gravel on the inside of the turns caused by drivers cutting the corners.
One of the main features and attractions of the Ypres Rally is the location of the Service Park which, like always, will be situated in the medieval centre of the town. This makes for a very special site that also contains the HQ and the podium.
With such attractive conditions and challenges, the rally's organisers are developing a well-deserved pride concerning the event.
"Ypres has always managed to attract famous drivers but we have never managed to gather such a selection like we did this year," said Ignace Becquart, the rally's Racing Director.
"There are not only quite a few champions on the starting grid, there are also a few younger crowned heads and to have a bet on who will prevail will be very difficult."
From a total of 16 European Championship drivers, 12 will be participating in this race across the roads, including the top 5 leading drivers. The Intercontinental Rally Challenge will also be represented by its top 5 runners.
Becquart wished to remind the attending public to think about safety first, without forgetting their own part in making the event a success.
"In order to make this happen, we need to ask our spectators to behave well and use their common sense when it comes to safety. We please ask everyone to follow carefully the instructions of the marshals. Do not forget we do use the system of the helicopter flying over the stage. If the public is in the wrong area, we will show a red flag. Three warnings means the stage is being cancelled," cautioned the Ypres Rally Racing Director.
But most of all, the purpose is to give a good show with good competition. "I think we can look forward to a great race," Becquart concluded.
Source Ypres Westhoek Rally
