It’s hot, the gravel tracks are littered with rocks and while Rally Turkey (18 – 20 September) is shorter than previous editions, anyone feeling complacent about the WRC’s Asian adventure will be in for a shock. Içmeler (13.90km), which adjoins the Asparan service park in the hills above the resort of the same name, is followed by Gökçe (11.32km), the most northerly stage of the event. The loop is closed by Kizlan (13.15km), which promises to be the fastest test of the event. Two passes through the fiendishly difficult Çetibeli (38.15km), the longest special stage of the rally, are allied with a double run through the Marmaris (6.28km) test to take the tally to 88.86km. Then the North American encounter’s final leg opened with a monster 80km Guanajuato stage, the WRC’s longest test for 30 years. The rally-closing Marmaris Wolf Power Stage finishes at the service park entrance and offers bonus points to the fastest five crews.

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