Rally Bulgaria Revs Up Under Pressure

The event is included in next year's calendar as a full round of the WRC, but that status is dependant on the FIA observer's report from this weekend's rally. Photo by rally-club.bg

The Rally Bulgaria takes center stage this weekend in what is being seen as a crucial test for the event, which faces challenges from other country's venues in 2010.

Next year's World Rally Championship schedule will be cast in stone after the Rally Bulgaria, which is the sole Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA) candidate rally for 2010.

The event is included in next year's calendar as a full round of the WRC, but that status is dependant on the FIA observer's report from this weekend's rally.

If the Rally does not live up to expectations, both Argentina and Italy are ready to take its place in the WRC Calendar for 2010, autosport.com reported.

The event got underway with a ceremonial start Friday evening, before running six stages Saturday and six on Sunday. Based in the ski resort of Borovets, the rally will include a total distance of 747 km, 268 km of which is competitive.

Former European champion Giandomenico Basso starts among the favourites in his Abarth Grande Punto, with top Polish driver Michal Solowow (Peugeot) also in the running for victory on what could be the most important event in Bulgarian rally history.

 

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