The third round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge takes place on the Ypres Rally in Belgium, one of Europe’s most classic and best-known events. The rally also marks the first round of the IRC to be held on asphalt this year – but the Belgian event is far from a ‘normal’ asphalt rally. The fast and narrow roads are extremely specialised, and unlike anything found elsewhere in Europe.

For the most part the stages are run over farm tracks, formed of fast straights leading into tight 90-degree corners. Because of the agricultural nature of the roads, they are often littered with dirt, dung and gravel, putting traction and grip at a premium. The roads are frequently lined with drainage ditches, ensuring that no mistakes go unpunished – as Peugeot’s Nicolas Vouilloz found out to his cost last year.

Knowing how to cut the corners is essential, as some of the bends have sharp edges that can puncture a tyre or even take a wheel off. A good recconnaissance is vital, and local knowledge definitely helps. Traditionally this has been an event where home-grown drivers do well: both Freddy Loix and Patrick Snijers have each won the event four times in the past and are bidding for a record-breaking fifth victory.

Nonetheless, last year Peugeot Italy’s Luca Rossetti won the rally – proving that a sensible and consistent approach pays dividends. Rossetti has also won the two opening rounds of the IRC this season in Turkey and Portugal, so he will be bidding to extend his notable series lead in Belgium.

Another peculiarity of the Ypres Rally is that a number of the stages are run at night. The rally gets underway on Friday evening, and then incorporates a full day of action on Saturday before a late finish at 22:30. This year the Ypres Rally contains a sting in the tail, as the longest test of the rally at 42 kilometres is run as the final stage.

The weather on the Ypres Rally is notoriously unpredictable, with crews having to expect anything from heavy rain to bright sunshine. As a consequence, the tyre suppliers need to bring a wide range of rubber to cover every contingency, making tyre choice a key ingredient to success on the slippery stages. For more information about the event, including entry lists, maps and timetables, please visit: www.ypresrally.com

Ypres is one of the most popular events within Europe, attracting a wide range of competitors in a variety of different cars. All the five registered IRC manufacturers – Abarth, Honda, Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Volkswagen – will be present on an event together for the first time this year, making for a vintage battle. Abarth have the usual two Grande Puntos for Giandomenico Basso and Anton Alen, while the brand new R3 Diesel Punto will be defending Fiat’s honours in the IRC 2WD Cup.
 
The two-wheel drive category will have a new but experienced competitor in the form of Alessandro Bettega, the son of the legendary Attilio Bettega, who is embarking on a campaign with the Honda Civic R3 Type R.

Mitsubishi will be counting on local specialists Jasper Van der Heuvel and Paul Liater in Group N Lancers to make a difference, while Peugeot Belgium will have Freddy Loix and Nicolas Vouilloz as usual. A highlight of the rally is sure to be Belgian legend Patrick Snijers, in the BFGoodrich Drivers’ Team Super 2000 207, while Italian Luca Betti is also in a Peugeot from Belgium onwards.

Volkswagen – which led in Belgium last year – makes its 2008 IRC debut at Ypres, with an all-new line-up of local men Raphael Auquier and Bernd Casier. For the full entry list, please visit www.rally-irc.com and click on the ‘entry list’ button.