Round seven of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge marks a new departure for the series, with the first-ever event in Spain, the Principe de Asturias Rally. The all-asphalt event is based in the city of Oviedo: a well-known capital of Spanish motorsport as it is the birthplace of Formula 1 star Fernando Alonso.

The Principe de Asturias Rally has run as a round of the Spanish Championship for many years, but this is the first time that it makes an appearance on the IRC series. For the vast majority of the regular IRC drivers, it will represent a big leap into the unknown, which is just one of the factors that will make it such a fascinating event.

The route contains a wide mixture of roads, all of which are made up of asphalt, to test the skills of the IRC drivers to the utmost. As was the case on the last rally in the Czech Republic, there are a number of different types of asphalt along the route: ranging from freshly-laid smooth tarmac to rough and bumpy old roads with sharp edges.

The quickest way through many of the corners is to cut them, and this is an area in which local knowledge definitely helps. As more cars cut the corners though, increasing quantities of loose gravel are left on the road, making the roads treacherous for those following behind.

Autumnal weather is also expected for the area around Oviedo in mid-September, with the possibility of rain forecast over the weekend. This unpredictable mix of conditions, allied to a general lack of knowledge of the local terrain, is set to make tyre choice a crucial factor in the rally.

Many of the Spanish roads are quite wide and fast, which should lead to a high average speed on the stages. The driving style required to succeed on these quick stages is neat and precise, in order to establish a good rhythm between corners. The co-drivers' role will be vital on this event, as the junctions tend to come up in quick succession.

The Principe de Asturias Rally is an event that should favour the local Spanish crews, and especially the reigning IRC champion Enrique Garcia Ojeda. The Peugeot Spain driver is making his second appearance on the IRC this year, following his participation in the Barum Rally Zlin last month, and he is sure to be a strong contender for victory.

Another Spanish contender making a welcome return to the IRC is former Junior World Rally Champion Dani Sola, who will be present once more in a privately-entered Abarth Grande Punto.

They will both be challenged by other leading lights in the Spanish Championship, such as Miguel Fuster in an Abarth Grande Punto and Yeray Lemes in a Mitsubishi Lancer: all of whom are determined to use their local knowledge to upset the established order. Joining them on this all-new event will be the IRC regulars fighting it out for the title, and they will find it difficult to know just how hard to push on unfamiliar territory.

Peugeot Italy's Luca Rossetti is unable to compete on the event as he has clashing commitments back home in Italy, so this is a golden opportunity for Peugeot Belgium's Nicolas Vouilloz to extend his championship lead. Vouilloz currently has an eight-point advantage, while his team mate Freddy Loix is third and also has the chance to move up the leaderboard.

The factory Abarth team of Giandomenico Basso and Anton Alen are hoping for better things in Spain after a disappointing outing on the Barum Rally Zlin, while another strong candidate for victory is Peugeot Portugal driver Bruno Magalhaes, who showed his rivals the way to go in Madeira before being set back by a puncture. Representing the BFGoodrich Drivers Team in Spain is Sergio Vallejo Folgueira.

The IRC 2WD Cup has proved to be extremely closely-contested so far in its short history, with several drivers challenging for the title. Nonetheless, Italian Fiat Punto Diesel driver Marco Cavigioli holds a five-point lead and he is hoping for a strong result in Spain to maintain his advantage. One of his biggest challengers will be Alessandro Bettega, who is back at the wheel of the Honda Civic Type R R3 after a successful test. For the complete entry list, please visit www.rally-irc.com

EUROSPORT TV TIMES

Live shows

Friday 12 September
14.30 - 15.00 (Eurosport 2 & Eurosport Asia Pacific)
18.30 - 19.00 (Eurosport & Eurosport Asia Pacific)
23.59 - 00.30 Repeat (Eurosport)
Regular repeats overnight on Eurosport 2 until 07.00

Saturday 13 September
12.30 - 13.00 (Eurosport 2 & Eurosport Asia Pacific)
18.45 - 19.15 Repeat (Eurosport)
Regular repeats overnight on Eurosport 2 until 07.00

Rally highlights

Tuesday 16 September
23.30 - 00.00 Rally Highlights (Eurosport)

Thursday 18 September
18.30 - 19.00 Rally Highlights (Eurosport 2)

Friday 19 September
19.00 - 19.30 Rally Highlights (Eurosport 2)