Round 9, Spain

The Rally Príncipe of Asturias is one of the most important and legendary car races in Spain. In 2012 it will celebrate its 49 edition, thus setting itself among the elite of European rallies.

The rally runs along the roads of the Principado de Asturias, a region in North of Spain with amazing 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, which can be full ofdampness and traps due to the unstable climate of the region. It is often possible to find sliding stages and, sometimes, 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 world human Heritage by the UNESCO, and it also counts with a pristine Old Town ideal for walking. The rally also visits Gijón, the biggest city in the region, where drivers can find a very comfortable Service Park with all the facilities they need.

The city has an area of influence of more than800.000inhabitants. The rally coincides with the local holiday, thus creating an unparalleled atmosphere that captivates both drivers and the huge number of fans that arrive in the port city frommany different places. 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 rallies for many decades and the teamworks all the year round with the main institutions of the region to make sure everything will be perfect for the rally. In fact, this rally is one of the most important sports events held in the region.

In 2011, the Rally Príncipe de Asturias had an amazing media coverage worldwide, with more than 150 authorised media and drivers frommany countries. The winnerwas Alberto Hevia (Škoda Fabia Super 2000). In 2012, as in past years, the rally will be supported by the main cities in Asturias, with an amazing road book that will go through someof the most exciting stages in Spain.