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news :: rally
Team Features:
Stage summaries with Phil Mills
12 June 2008
SS1 / 16 Antalya SSS (2.6km)
The opening spectator stage in the ground of the Akdeniz University in Antalya is, like most of this rally, exactly the same as we last used in 2006. The surface is hard rolled gravel sprayed with tarmac, which forms this hard but slippery surface. It’s a good spectator stage and should attract good crowds, and it’s very slippery so the cars will be sideways lots which spectators want to see.
SS2 / 5 Perge (22.43km)
Again the same as in 2006, this next group of three stages is also run in the same order as two years ago. The only difference with the stages is that they have been re-graded, which means slight but crucial differences to the specifics in our notes. It starts very fast with deceptively large crests, then after about 3km the surface changes from gravel to soil. As we saw in 2006 when the weather was horrendous, when it rains some of the stages like this become impassable, though we won’t have to worry about that this year. The stage continues fast across the top of a mountain, before going downhill through a series of open, flowing hairpins, finishing on a fine sandy gravel surface.
SS3 / 6 Myra (24.15km)
The second stage we ran in 2006, it’s twisty for 15km and includes lots of 90 degree bends. The corners tighten on themselves which makes them very tricky, especially on the loose surface. It stays narrow, but becomes very fast and there’s no cutting due to the large rocks that line the road side. These will make the second pass tricky if they are dragged onto the road.
SS4 / 7 Kumluca (9.90km)
It’s a fabulous place to spectate as we wind through the mountains to the west of Kemer. The road starts quite narrow and is very twisty for the first 8.3km, but in 2006 a new 2km spectator section was created that features lots of hairpin corners and jumps. We use the same again this year so it should be popular again.
SS8 / 10 Chimera (16.91km)
Chimera was run towards the end of the rally in 2006 so it makes a change to see it on days one and two, although the stage itself is the same. The surface is very loose with a thick coating of gravel, and is one of the hardest of the rally. It starts uphill for 3km on new asphalt, but then we have a fast downhill section through a wood which is where it gets challenging with jumps etc.
SS9 / 15 Phaselis (22.40km)
This stage is probably the most changed since 2006. The start and finish points have been changed slightly, and it actually starts at the point of the Olympos stage in 2006. The stage itself is then the reverse of Phaselis from two years ago, making it a little different to drive. The road starts quite narrow and quite dirty as we climb to a fast section across the top of the mountain, before a tight hairpin onto the finish.
SS11 / 13 Silyon (27.36km)
We’re back to the known again with this stage as it is exactly the same as in 2006. We start downhill on quite a rough and twisty road, weaving between sometimes large rocks and some deceptive corners. The mid section is difficult as there are many trees just off the stage, then we cross a jump onto a very fast road which follows a riverbank for four kilometres, then a hairpin make for an exciting finish.
SS12 / 14 Kemer (20.50km)
Kemer is a combination of asphalt and gravel as the mountain road switches from one to the other. It starts with a 10km uphill blast which is a real test of engine power and performance, and the whole section is covered by the trees that line the road. If it rains it can stay damp for a long time, so it’s fortunate that it looks like we’ll avoid the weather this time. After a narrow and twisty section through the woods, we join a road that runs across the top of the mountain to the finish line.
SS17/SS19 Olympos (31.03km)
Similarly to Phaselis, Olympos has also been changed a little since 2006. Its start point is that of Phaselis from two years ago, and the first 7km are the reverse of the same stage route. After this, it’s the same Olympos from 2006. It’s the longest stage of the rally and will be quite rough, especially for the second pass. There’s a bit of everything in this stage: narrow junctions, surface changes, fast and flowing sections, hairpins, and blind corners. It’s a classic stage to finish on as it may throw up some surprises.
SS18 Camyuva (5.50km)
Renamed from the Tekirova stage in 2006, this is only the second time this stage has been run as it was new in 2006. Apart from the Antalya spectator stage, it’s the shortest of the event. It starts open and flowing, then after a hairpin right the road narrows and heads into a wooded section. It’s quite tricky as it’s very twisty for the first kilometre then a flat out dash to the finish.
Source: Subaru World Rally Team
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