After Sweden, the Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team is set to compete in Rally Mexico happening March 12-15―the first true gravel event of the season―aiming to continue its impressive start to the 2020 FIA World Rally Championship and achieve another top result. Elfyn Evans travels to Mexico leading the drivers’ championship for the first time after his win on Rally Sweden, with team-mate Sébastien Ogier (a five-time winner of Rally Mexico) just five points behind, while Kalle Rovanperä is fresh from his record-breaking maiden podium on the previous event.
After the winter conditions of Rallye Monte-Carlo and Rally Sweden, Rally Mexico provides a considerable contrast for the teams and drivers. It is usually one of the warmest events of the season, with ambient temperatures that can reach 30°C, and is also the highest round on the calendar, with the route climbing to 2,737m above sea level. At such altitude, the thinner air reduces engine power by as much as 20 percent.
As usual, the rally will start in colourful Guanajuato on Thursday evening, where fans will be treated to double the action with two competitive runs through the city’s streets and tunnels. There will be a total of 10 stages on Friday, including a loop of three gravel stages run twice. The morning is followed by a new test at Guanajuato Bicentennial Park, and the afternoon completed in host city León by two runs around the local racing circuit and a short street stage. Two more laps of the racing circuit plus a different street stage adjacent to the service park round out Saturday’s action, after another three repeated gravel stages. There are three more stages to end the rally on Sunday, with El Brinco hosting the Power Stage finale.
