WRC Rally Sardegna 2023 claims to be one of the most brutal events on the WRC calendar. The wild nature, narrow roads, rugged gravel, and high in-car temperatures aim to test rally drivers to decide the best to win. The drivers face a grueling 1168.22 km-kilometer course across some of the most rugged terrain in the Mediterranean. From steep mountain passes to winding dirt tracks, the Sardegna rally is not for the faint-hearted. Drivers must bring their A-game to tackle the challenges that await them. Let’s explore the thrills and challenges of the WRC Sardegna 2023 and closely examine what makes this rally so exciting.
- The thrill of rallying in Sardegna
- The challenges of the Sardegna terrain in 2023.
- The History Insights of WRC in Sardegna
- Top contenders for WRC Sardegna 2023
- The importance of team strategy in WRC
- Behind the scenes of WRC Sardegna 2023
- WRC Rally Sardegna 2023 route
- WRC Rally Sardegna 2023 Livestream schedule
- Conclusion:
The thrill of rallying in Sardegna
Sardegna is known for its stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural heritage. But for rally fans, the island is famous for something else entirely: its challenging terrain, with drivers facing steep mountain, passes, winding dirt tracks, and treacherous gravel roads. The race takes place across three days, and drivers must tackle 19 stages with a total of 320.88km, each presenting its unique challenges.
For rally drivers, the thrill of competing in the Sardegna rally comes from the sheer difficulty of the terrain. The course tests drivers’ skills to the limit, with tight corners, blind crests, and sudden elevation changes. For rally fans, the thrill comes from watching drivers take on these challenges and push themselves and their cars to the limit, which is fascinating!
The challenges of the Sardegna terrain in 2023.
The tricky narrow gravel roads covered with dust have been synonymous with a WRC Rally Sardegna for a long time.
And the drivers must be at the top of their game to tackle the course because gravel roads can be treacherous and unpredictable. They must be able to read the road surface and adjust their driving style accordingly, constantly adapting to the changing conditions.
Another challenge is the steep mountain passes, which require drivers to navigate tight hairpin turns and sudden elevation changes. These stages are particularly demanding, and drivers must be able to balance speed with control to avoid losing time or making costly mistakes.
But the biggest challenge is the temperatures can soar above 30 degrees Celsius. This can take a toll on drivers, who must stay focused and alert in the sweltering heat.
However, this time game is changed to be more complex because the rain gets into the plan. As a result, the terrain on Rally Sardegna 2023 also varies. In some places, the road surface has already found ditches. The weather forecast is just to prove Sardegna’s most formidable challenge. All weekend, it will be rain, which causes a high possibility of turning road surfaces with puddles into road rotation in the swamps. The atmosphere feelings also make sense, with the increased air humidity at 25 degrees Celsius.
The History Insights of WRC in Sardegna
The WRC has been coming to Sardegna since 2004, and the island has become a firm favorite among drivers and fans alike. Norway driver Peter Solberg won the first Sardegna rally with his Subaru Impreza WRC.
However, among the current WRc drivers, Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) is highlighted here the most. He has been winning Ralle Sardegna four times.
Ott Tänak (M-Sport Ford) and Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) marked the Italian island with two-times victory for each one. For many drivers, the Sardegna rally is one of the highlights of the WRC calendar and an actual test of their skills and endurance.
Top contenders for WRC Sardegna 2023
Ogier, Tänak, and Neuville are the most prominent names of this rally weekend and the main claimers to win, with Sébastien Ogier especially.
The three complete the podium if the rain does not break the plans. Although, there is another to keep in mind. Finnish driver Kalle Rovanpera (Toyota) is rushing to bring back last year’s glory. After the triumph in Portugal, the youngest-ever rally world champion heads to Sardegna with a positive feeling and leads the championship standings for 98 points, 17 points ahead of the closest rival – Ott Tänak.
The importance of team strategy in WRC
In WRC, success is not just down to the driver’s skill. Teams play a crucial role in helping their drivers to achieve victory, and team strategy is vital to success, especially in the Sardegna rally.
Teams must carefully plan their approach to each stage, considering the terrain, weather conditions, and the strengths and weaknesses of their drivers.
The tire choice will be crucial during rainy weather. Different types of tires are better suited to other legs with unique features. So, the teams must choose the right tires for each stage to give their driver the best chance of success. Teams must also carefully manage their drivers’ pace, ensuring they don’t push too hard and risk making mistakes.
Behind the scenes of WRC Sardegna 2023
While the Sardegna rally focuses on the drivers and their cars, a lot of people in the team are working behind the scenes to make the event a success. From the organizers who plan the route and coordinate the logistics to the marshals who ensure the safety of drivers and spectators, thousands of people are involved in making the Sardegna rally a reality.
The most important people behind the scenes are the mechanics. These skilled technicians work tirelessly to keep the drivers’ cars in top condition, making repairs and adjustments between each stage to ensure the WRC cars run at their best. The drivers could compete at the highest level with their hard work and expertise.
WRC Rally Sardegna 2023 route
The seaside town of Olbia will host the four-day fixture. The main action starts on Thursday evening with tackling the mixed-surface super special test in the suburbs of Olbia – Cabbu Abbas (3.20km). That will be enough to meet the expectations because Friday’s route sets for surprises with three stages – each run twice on either side of a service – lying in wait. Tantariles (10.71km) is up first, followed by a short blast through Terranova (8.41km). Good start for an endurance check. Next is more, as all the rally drivers will return to Monte Lerno – Sa Conchedda in its 49.90km to be highlighted for a rally jumps at the fan-favorite Micky’s Jump.
There is also no time to rest on Saturday, as Friday’s format will continue to rally drivers to pass 133.62km. Double runs of Coiluna – Loelle (16.28km), Su Filigosu (19.57 km), Erula – Tula (21.92km), and Tempio Pausania (9.04 km).
Sunday’s morning will finally bring a sigh of relief, but a very small one. Four-speed tests make up Sunday’s finale. Arzachena – Braniatogghiu (15.22km) and Sardegna (7.79 km) each run twice, with the second pass forming Wolf Power Stage to make a point in winner’s disputes.
WRC Rally Sardegna 2023 Livestream schedule
| THURSDAY 01 JUNE | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| PRE SHOW FROM OLBIA, SARDINIA | 17:00 |
| BREAK | 17:45 |
| SS 1 OLBIA – CABU ABBAS – TV LIVE WF1 | 18:00 |
| FRIDAY 02 JUNE | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| OLBIA SERVICE PARK | 08:30 |
| SS 2 TANTARILES 20RIS 1 | 08:40 |
| SS 3 TERRANOVA 1 | 09:31 |
| SS 4 MONTE LERNO – SA CONCHEDDA 1 | 10:21 |
| BREAK | 11:30 |
| SS 5 TANTARILES 20RIS 2 | 14:30 |
| SS 6 TERRANOVA 2 | 15:23 |
| SS 7 MONTE LERNO – SA CONCHEDDA 2 | 16:13 |
| BREAK | 17:15 |
| OLBIA SERVICE PARK | 18:15 |
| SATURDAY 03 JUNE | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| SS 8 COILUNA-LOELLE 1 – TV LIVE WF2 | 08:00 |
| SS 9 SU FILIGOSU 1 | 09:03 |
| SS 10 ERULA-TULA 1 | 10:08 |
| SERVICE PARK | 11:01 |
| SS 11 TEMPIO PAUSANIA 1 | 11:22 |
| BREAK | 12:15 |
| SS 12 COILUNA-LOELLE 2 – TV LIVE WF3 | 15:00 |
| SS 13 SU FILIGOSU 2 | 16:03 |
| BREAK | 17:00 |
| SS 14 ERULA-TULA 2 | 17:30 |
| SS 15 TEMPIO PAUSANIA 2 | 18:44 |
| BREAK | 19:30 |
| OLBIA SERVICE PARK | 20:00 |
| SUNDAY 04 JUNE | LOCAL TIME |
|---|---|
| SS 16 ARZACHENA – BRANIATOGGHIU 1 | 07:05 |
| SS 17 SARDEGNA 1 – TV LIVE WF4 | 08:00 |
| CONTINUE WITH SS17 SARDEGNA 1 ACTION | 09:00 |
| BREAK | 09:30 |
| SS 18 ARZACHENA – BRANIATOGGHIU 2 | 10:09 |
| BREAK | 11:00 |
| SS 19 SARDEGNA 2 WOLF POWER STAGE – TV LIVE WF5 | 12:00 |
| WRAP UP SHOW FROM THE WOLF POWER STAGE PODIUM | 13:30 |
Conclusion:
With its rugged terrain, unpredictable weather conditions, and talented drivers, it offers an actual test of skill and endurance. WRC Sardegna rally is a must-see for rally fans. However, it’s not just the drivers who make the event memorable. The fans’ passion, the mechanics’ hard work, and the organizers’ dedication make the event a genuinely unforgettable experience.
Also, keep in mind the unpredictable weather. There is a possibility that organizers would reduce the rally Sardegna 2023 route or change the program because the forecast promises all-day long rains.
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