Round 8, Spain

European Rally Championship

The Rally Príncipe of Asturias is one of the most important and legendary car races of Spain. In 2010 it will celebrate its 47 edition, being consolidated this way in the elite of european rallyes.

The rally runs along the roads of the Principado de Asturias, region in North of Spain with spectacular mountains and the most beautiful beaches of the Cantabrian Sea. The region is also famous for its hospitality, traditions and gastronomy. This rally is internationally known by it's difficult stages, wich can be full of dampness and traps due to the inestable climate of the region. Many times it's posible to find sliding stages and, in addttion, the abrupt landscape can intimidate drivers and codrivers.

The capital of Asturias, Oviedo, is where the rally's headquarters are. Oviedo has many historical pre-romanesque monuments declared Patrimony of the Humantiy by the UNESCO, and a old town ideal for walking.

The city has an area of influence of more than 800.000 inhabitants. The rally coincides with the local holidays, creating this way an incomparable atmosphere that captivate both the drivers and the fans, who normally come from everywehre.

The rally is organized by the Automóvil Club Principado de Asturias (ACPA), a legendary institution that has a wide curriculum. The hard core of the organization has been organizing rallyes through many decades and works all the year round with the main institutions of the region to make sure everything will be OK for the rally.

In fact, this rally is one of the most important sports event held in the region.

In 2009, the Rally Príncipe de Asturias was puntuable for the first time, for the ERC, making sure an amazing media coverage worldwide, with more than 125 accredited media.