About the World Rally Championship

The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) pits cars and drivers in a series of three-day events against some of the toughest, and most varied, conditions on the planet - from the ice and snow of Scandinavia, to the stifling heat of Greece and Jordan - over surfaces ranging from smooth tarmac to boulder-strewn rocky tracks.

The series is widely regarded as the most challenging motor sport competition in the world. The current format of the WRC was established in 1973. For 2008, drivers and manufacturers will battle it out for the 36th annual drivers' and manufacturers' championship trophies.

Fifteen countries are hosting a WRC event in 2008. Each rally consists of 15-25 "special stages," which are typically closed roads. Cars consist of a driver and co-driver, who reads pace notes to alert the driver of the conditions of the road ahead. Unlike conventional races, cars start each stage one-by-one and race against the clock.

All cars competing at the top level of the WRC are based on four-cylinder two-litre production cars. Although they look similar to the ones in a showroom, changes allowed to the engine, transmission and suspension, make a WRC car a turbocharged, four wheel drive monster that develops around 300bhp and masses of torque. Regardless of the road surface, these machines can accelerate from a standing start to 100kph (Approx. 62mph) in around three seconds. Their top speed depends upon the gearing chosen for each rally, but 220kph (Approx. 137mph) is not unusual.

The WRC is regulated and controlled by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body for many  motor sport series worldwide. Each event follows the same basic format: two days of reconnaissance on Tuesday and Wednesday, to enable the driver and co-driver to check the route, and 'shakedown' - in effect practice - on Thursday, followed by the competition itself on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Some events also include 'super special stages' - short and compact sprint tests which often feature two cars racing head-to-head with crowds around the track.

Because the conditions are so varied and unforgiving, cars visit a 'service park' at pre-determined times during each event (typically mid-day). Besides interrogating data from the on-board data systems, changing tyres and making running adjustments, a team of six technicians is allowed to perform mechanical work on each car. The time available is strictly limited, with each stop being either 10, 30 or 45 minutes depending on the itinerary.

Being able to work in this pressured environment means WRC technicians are some of the best in the world, capable of extraordinary ingenuity, speed, and the odd miracle. In the heat of competition a suspension upright, hub and brake unit will be swapped in around five minutes, a gearbox in about 10, while their skills with hammers, welding torches and tank tape have regularly transformed a sorry looking wreck into a rally winner. Away from the service park repairs or adjustments can still be made, but only by the driver and co-driver, and only using tools and spare parts carried in the car.

Time penalties are applied if visits to the service park exceed the time allowed. Time penalties are also given to competitors who arrive late at stage starts, or any of the other numerous check-points throughout the event.

At the end of the rally the driver who completes the special stages in the fastest total time wins. Points are allocated in the same manner as Formula 1, where the top eight drivers score 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 points respectively. Points are also awarded to manufacturers and manufacturer teams registered for the championship. At the end of each season, the FIA awards the driver and manufacturer with the most points the WRC championship title.

In 2008 WRC events will be held in (in order): Monte Carlo, Sweden, Mexico, Argentina, Jordan, Sardinia, Greece, Turkey, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, Corsica, Japan and Great Britain.