IRC Intercontinental Rally Challenge

Rounds	Event	Country	Date	Surface
01	Sata Rallye Açores	Açores (POR)	23-25 February 2012	Gravel
02	Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Inglés	Spain	15-17 March 2012	Asphalt
03	Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally	UK/Ireland	6-7 April 2012	Asphalt
04	Tour de Corse	France	11-12 May 2012	Asphalt
05	Canon Mecsek Rallye	Hungary	2-3 June 2012	Asphalt
06	GEKO Ypres Rally	Belgium	21-23 June 2012	Asphalt
07	Rally San Marino	San Marino	6-7 July 2012	Gravel
08	Sibiu Rally Romania	Romania	20-22 July 2012	Gravel
09	Barum Czech Rally Zlín	Czech Republic	31 Aug-2 Sep 2012	Asphalt
10	Prime Yalta Rally	Ukraine	15-16 September 2012	Asphalt
11	Rally Sliven	Bulgaria	29-30 September 2012	Asphalt
12	Rallye Sanremo	Italy	12-13 October 2012	Asphalt
13	Cyprus Rally	Cyprus	02-03 November 2012	Asphalt / Gravel

01. Sata Rallye Açores Açores (POR) - Gravel

23-25 February 2012

Official Website

The Atlantic archipelago’s technical gravel stages run over spectacular landscapes and offer stunning views, while a changeable climate adds to the challenge. Highlights include a spectator superspecial in a disused quarry and a service park overlooking São Miguel’s harbour.

02. Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Inglés Spain - Asphalt

15-17 March 2012

Official Website

Based in Las Palmas on the island of Gran Canaria, the asphalt event is a mixture of undulating roads and narrow and fast sections. The surface is abrasive meaning grip levels are high but tyre wear can be at a premium.

03. Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally UK/Ireland - Asphalt

6-7 April 2012

Official Website

An exciting new addition to the IRC schedule for 2012, the Circuit of Ireland is one of the world’s oldest rallies having run for the first time in 1931. It’s also one of the most popular with thousands of fans set to watch the crews on the challenging all-asphalt stages.

04. Tour de Corse France - Asphalt

11-12 May 2012

Official Website

Traditionally known as the ‘Rally of 10,000 Corners’ due to its high frequency of turns, the Tour de Corse joined the IRC family for the first time in 2011 with an exciting route covering large parts of the picturesque Mediterranean island.

05. Canon Mecsek Rallye Hungary - Asphalt

2-3 June 2012

Official Website

Having enjoyed IRC Supporter Event status in the past, Hungary’s Canon Mecsek Rallye became a fully-fledged round of the series for the first time in 2011. Based in the city of Pécs – the 2010 European Capital of Culture – the rally uses high-speed asphalt stages.

06. GEKO Ypres Rally Belgium - Asphalt

21-23 June 2012

Official Website

Using farmland asphalt roads around the historic market town of Ypres, the rally attracts tens of thousands of fans due to its accessible location in northwest Belgium. The narrow stages are lined by drainage ditches and are popularised by tight junctions to provide a huge test.

07. Rally San Marino San Marino - Gravel

6-7 July 2012

Official Website

One of three all-gravel events on the 2012 IRC calendar, the rally will take place for the 40th time this season. The stages in the mountains in and around San Marino are made up of a mixture of fine and sandy gravel tracks and are notoriously challenging.

08. Sibiu Rally Romania Romania - Gravel

20-22 July 2012

Official Website

A former IRC Supporter Event, Romania’s Sibiu Rally forms part of the IRC’s gravel schedule. Established as one of the country’s major sporting events the rally features a handful of kilometres on asphalt.

09. Barum Czech Rally Zlín Czech Republic - Asphalt

31 Aug-2 Sep 2012

Official Website

Crowds of up to 200,000 are treated to a rallying spectacular on one of the most difficult events on the IRC calendar due to the proliferation of high-speed blasts through forests and woodland, sections of broken Tarmac and the bumpy nature of some of the roads.

10. Prime Yalta Rally Ukraine - Asphalt

15-16 September 2012

Official Website

The asphalt-based event uses stages in mountains overlooking the Black Sea city of Yalta in Ukraine’s Crimea region. While the compact rally was new to the IRC in 2011, it has been a long-term fixture in the country’s national rally championship.

11. Rally Sliven Bulgaria - Asphalt

29-30 September 2012

Official Website

Due to run for a 32nd time in 2012, Rally Sliven completes the list of IRC newcomers for next season and brings the total number of events in Eastern Europe to five. A mainstay of the Bulgarian championship, the rally is famed for its tricky and unique asphalt surface.

12. Rallye Sanremo Italy - Asphalt

12-13 October 2012

Official Website

With the competitive action contained within a 24-hour window, a huge strain is placed on car and crew. The stages use narrow and undulating roads and feature fast and flowing sections, frequent changes of rhythm and blind and open corners with rapid climbs and descents.

13. Cyprus Rally Cyprus - Asphalt / Gravel

02-03 November 2012

Official Website

The Cyprus Rally joined the IRC for the first time in 2010 and became an instant hit with drivers and fans alike. Rough and rocky gravel roads, smooth and broken asphalt, plus punishing ambient temperatures combine to make the event one of the toughest on the calendar.