With the world of rallying enjoying significant gains in popularity in recent seasons, the FIA, the sport’s governing body, announced on 01 April plans to change add another dimension to the already exciting Super Special Stages.
This past weekend’s WRC Rally de Portugal saw competitors recce the opening stage of the event in environmentally-friendly golf carts. In line with the “greener” approaches for the future of this most thrilling sport, HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS interprets its sources as stating that from WRC Rally Jordan later this month, all Super Special Stages will now be contested in these same golf carts.
“The power difference between these and our rally cars is of course vast, but for the environment and action for specators, they cannot get any better viewing of their stars in action,” commented Olivier Quesnel, head of Citroen Racing.
Continued Matthew Wilson at the live press conference: “The low ground clearance, small wheels and higher driving position gives us a better view through the corners. Scott [Martin] has an easy time in these stages – let’s face it, these cars are exactly lightning quick.
The 01 April press conference also had FIA’s chief Jean Todt praising the reliability of the golf carts in the WRC Rally de Portugal pilot programme. It is believed that spectators were able cheer on their favourite crews, while the drivers and co-drivers were able to wave and pass out team memorablia as they weaved their way through the tight and twisty stage.
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