Rally Guanajuato México - Hyundai USA...Rally Guanajuato México March 08 - 11, 2018Welcome to round three of the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship in Mexico – and to a reinvigorated

2018 MEDIA GUIDE

Rally Guanajuato MéxicoMarch 08 - 11, 2018

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Rally Guanajuato México March 08 - 11, 2018

Welcome to round three of the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship in Mexico – and to a reinvigorated and rejuvenated Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team following our first victory of the season in Sweden last month.

Rally Sweden was a fantastic event for our team and it was a great feeling to score our eighth overall win in the WRC as well as our ninth double podium. After the disappointments of Monte Carlo, we really needed to fight back and score a good haul of points – and that’s just what we did to currently lead the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ championships.

Thierry and Nicolas were on top form all weekend in Sweden and thoroughly deserved their win – the seventh of their WRC career so far. As a team, we performed strongly and this was reflected in our 1-3-5 result. Congratulations also to Andreas and Anders on their maiden podium with our team, the first of many we hope! Hayden and Seb also had a strong weekend to finish in a fighting fifth, despite their late drama on the Power Stage when they had a small off and suffered an engine stall.

I have said many times that the competition in today’s WRC is the toughest and closest it has been for many years, so we cannot take what happened in Sweden for granted. Rally Mexico offers a completely different set of challenges, so the battle lines are being redrawn. And for this event we welcome Dani and Carlos back to the team, who I know will be looking to score a top result.

We enjoyed our victory and double podium in Sweden, plus the positive all-round performance for the team. We look forward to more of the same for Hyundai Motorsport during this exciting sseason.

Michel Nandan Team Principal, Hyundai Motorsport

HYUNDAI’S HELLO


You’ve gone from a tarmac rally in mid-January to a gravel rally in early March – how difficult will it be to adapt?“We had some testing before Mexico so we could adapt a little bit and we also have shakedown before the rally. It’s a little strange to go from tarmac to gravel driving in general but not difficult.”

You are reunited with Carlos del Barrio this season – why did you team up again and how was it working together on Rallye Monte-Carlo?“It is working very well with Carlos, he’s very professional like Marc [Martí]. I changed to Carlos because I really wanted to drive with him this year, nothing in particular other than that. It was really good in Monte Carlo and I hope the next rallies will be the same.”

Hyundai Motorsport Driver development Program member Jari Huttunen joined the team in Sweden – what advice would you give him for Mexico?“Although it’s a gravel rally the surface cleans quickly and it’s really nice for the driving. He doesn’t have the experience so it will be more difficult for him but I am sure he will find the speed quickly.”

There aren’t so many long stages in Mexico this year – are you a fan or do you prefer longer stages and why?“I like both short and long stages, but the very, very long tests I don’t like because I prefer the ones that are 25-30 kilometres, not 60 kilometres – it’s not a rally raid. For drivers, you have more references when you have shorter stages and it’s more interesting for the spectators because you can see more stages in the day.”

How does the fact you have a reduced programme in this year’s WRC alter your approach to the events?“I would like to have a little bit more rallies but it’s like this and I will try to do the best performance in every event I compete in.”

You’ve not reached the podium yet in Mexico – how confident are you of changing that this year?“I have confidence like I can win, not just a podium. Podiums I try to get but I will try to win rallies this year. I like every single rally I will do this season but the Mexico road position will be nice for me because I didn’t score in Monte Carlo and I didn’t do Sweden.”

ON STAGE WITH... DANI SORDO

DANI SORDO

TEAM POSITION: DriverAGE: 34WRC STARTS: 153

@DaniSordo

/DanielSordo


● The Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team was on top form on Rally Sweden to secure its first victory of the 2018 season, with Thierry Neuville winning by 19.8 seconds from the Citroën of Craig Breen. Andreas Mikkelsen scored his first podium for the team in third, with Hayden Paddon not far behind in fifth. As a result, Hyundai Motorsport now leads the Manufacturers’ standings on 54 points and Neuville the Drivers’ standings with 41 points.

● Hyundai’s first victory in Sweden followed an imperious performance by Neuville and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul, who led from the first full day and took five of the team’s eight stage wins for their seventh WRC success. Mikkelsen’s third place helped to secure the team’s ninth double podium result on what was only his fifth event as a Hyundai Motorsport driver. Both he and Neuville boosted their points total with strong Power Stage showings.

● Hyundai Motorsport Driver development Program (HMDP) driver Jari Huttunen made a strong start to his WRC2 campaign in Sweden, finishing sixth in the category and regularly setting top-three stage times. The Finn and co-driver Antti Linnaketo quickly got to grips with their Hyundai i20 R5 in the tough, snowy conditions and scored two stage wins. Huttunen described the event as a good experience and said he was looking forward to Rally Mexico.

● The week after Rally Sweden Hyundai Motorsport undertook three days of testing in preparation for Rally Mexico. The test, held at high altitude near Girona, Spain to mirror conditions on the León-based event, involved its three nominated drivers – Mikkelsen, Neuville and Dani Sordo. Meanwhile Huttunen benefitted from two days of testing at the end of February ahead of his Mexico debut as he continues to build his experience as part of the HMDP project.

● Mikkelsen and co-driver Anders Jæger swapped seats the weekend after Rally Sweden for Rally Numedal, round three in the Norwegian championship, with Jæger at the wheel of a Hyundai Motorsport-run i20 R5. Mikkelsen explained how the switch came about: “It all started in 2016 when I wanted to give Anders something special for his birthday. I thought, why not give him the chance to drive a rally and support him as the co-driver.”

● Hyundai Motorsport’s i20 R5 customers will soon be able to call on a more powerful, responsive car this season due to ongoing development work by the team’s Customer Racing department. The car’s 1.6-litre engine has been given a power boost courtesy of an uprated powerplant, introducing variable valve timing, and new engine map. The changes, which also include greater throttle response through a reworked ALS strategy, mark the use of the final ‘joker’ available on the i20 R5 in the two years following its homologation.

HYUNDAI HAPPENINGS


HYUNDAI IN NUMBERS1967: Company founded in Korea and has gone on to establish sales networks in 190 countries and employ almost 100,000 people.

10,000: Of those global employees some 10,000 people work at Hyundai’s R&D base in the Korean city of Namyang.

4: Across 13 rounds of the 2017 WRC, Hyundai crews scored four victories on Tour de Corse, Rally Argentina, Rally Poland and Rally Australia. Poland was especially successful as the team celebrated a one-two finish, with Thierry Neuville heading home Hayden Paddon.

12: In total, Hyundai Motorsport drivers took 12 individual podium finishes in 2017 and four double podiums in Corsica, Portugal, Poland and Australia.

91: Hyundai crews amassed 91 stage wins in the 2017 season as well as 56 Power Stage points.

3: As its name suggests, the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC comes with three doors compared to the five in its predecessor. But while there are two doors less, the new-for-2017 challenger has a power output of 380hp thanks to the introduction of a larger turbo restrictor – up from 33mm to 36mm.

10: The Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC is wider but lighter – it has shed 10kg compared to the New Generation i20 WRC.

1: With the current regulations allowing manufacturers to nominate three point- scoring drivers rather than two, the three Hyundai i20 Coupe WRCs are entered under one banner: Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team.

6,000: Prior to the launch of the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC, some 6,000 kilometres had been covered during extensive development testing.

50: Hyundai Motorsport’s Alzenau base is located within a 50-kilometre radius of Hyundai Motor Europe’s base in Offenbach and Hyundai Motor Europe’s Technical and Design Centre in Rüsselsheim.

5,014,007: Hyundai Motorsport’s popularity continues to grow with Facebook likes exceeding five million – at 5,014,007 – post Rally Sweden. Meanwhile, the team’s Twitter and Instagram followers currently number 61,300 and 108,300 respectively.


ABOUT N● First announced in 2015, the N line-up showcases Hyundai’s engineering

expertise, offering high-performance models that are equally at home on the road, or out on a race circuit.

● N was born in Namyang, Korea in Hyundai’s global R&D centre and honed at the famous Nürburgring circuit, home to the Hyundai Test Centre. The close working relationship between the engineers in Korea and Germany created the foundations for the development of the line-up. The N logo also symbolises a chicane, where the models carrying the badge are most at home.

● N is Hyundai’s answer to emerging customer preferences, calling for uncompromising innovation and technology-driven performance. Designed to deliver the perfect combination of feedback, precision and predictable response, the models of the N line-up are made for driving enthusiasts, bringing a unique character to the road and further enhancing the image of the Hyundai brand.

● Inspired by Hyundai Motorsport competing at the highest possible level, the creation of N has drawn on our experience of testing the i30 N TCR, and racing on the tarmac, gravel and snow of the World Rally Championship. From the knowledge taken from the stages and the circuit Hyundai’s engineers were able to identify further handling and performance refinements during the development of the N line-up. With all this experience, N delivers exhilarating driving pleasure for everyone – pure emotions.

● The i30 N was the first road-going model to be launched from the N line-up in July 2017. The car is based on the New Generation i30. However, it was developed from the ground up in order to deliver maximum driving pleasure for everyone. Under the theme ‘Fun to Drive’, the i30 N has been developed on the basis of three cornerstones: Corner Rascal, Everyday Sports Car and Race Track Capability. It offers segment-leading high-performance elements that can be selected individually by the driver in order to tailor the car for any scenario, from a comfortable daily commute to a day at the track.

● Like the i30 N TCR the road-going i30 N is powered by a two-litre, turbocharged engine. The i30 N develops up to 275 horsepower, with a maximum torque of 353 Nm, delivered through a six-speed gearbox to the front wheels. The road-going car can reach a maximum speed of 250km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just over six seconds.


HYUNDAI I20 COUPE WRC UNCOVEREDEngine: Hyundai Motorsport turbocharged engine with direct injection 1,600cc and fitted with a mandatory 36mm air restrictor

Power: 380hp at 6,500RPM with a maximum torque of 450NM at 5,500RPM

Transmission: Six-speed sequential gearbox, four-wheel drive, mechanical front and rear differentials, electro-hydraulic centre differential

Suspension: MacPherson struts with adjustable dampers front and rear

Steering: Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion

Brakes: Ventilated Brembo disc brakes (370mm on asphalt, 300mm on gravel) and air-cooled, four-piston calipers, hydraulic handbrake

Tyres: Team partner Michelin will supply its LTX Force H4 hard compound tyre as the first choice for use in warm and dry conditions, with its LTX Force S5 soft compound tyre available for cooler temperatures and rain. Teams can use a maximum of 24 tyres for the entire rally

Electronics: Magneti Marelli SRG Engine Control Unit and dash

Safety: Sabelt seats and multiple fixing points with adjustable straps

Chassis: Steel bodyshell with welded multi-point roll cage, steel and composite fibre bodywork components

Dimensions: length: 4,100mm, width: 1,875mm, track width: 1,665mm, wheel base: 2,570mm

Weight: 1,190kg (1,350kg with driver and co-driver on board)

Lubricants: Shell Helix-Ultra

Fuel: FIA approved


HYUNDAI I20 R5 UNCOVEREDEngine: Hyundai Motorsport turbocharged engine with direct injection 1,600cc and fitted with a 32mm air restrictor

Power: 285hp at 5,000RPM with a maximum torque of 420NM at 4,000RPM

Transmission: Six-speed Ricardo Sequential gearbox, four-wheel drive, mechanical front and rear differentials

Suspension: MacPherson struts with three-way adjustable dampers

Steering: Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion

Brakes: Ventilated Brembo disc brakes (355mm on asphalt, 300mm on gravel) and air-cooled, four-piston calipers, hydraulic handbrake

Tyres: Team partner Michelin will supply its Latitude Cross H90 hard compound tyre as the first choice for use in warm and dry conditions, with its Latitude Cross S80 soft compound tyre available for cooler temperatures and rain. Teams can use a maximum of 22 tyres for the entire rally.

Electronics: Magneti Marelli ECU and power management system

Safety: Sabelt seats and multiple fixing points with adjustable straps

Chassis: FIA conformant reinforced steel body with Hyundai Motorsport-designed welded multi-point roll cage

Dimensions: length: 4,035mm, width: 1,820mm, track width: 1,610mm, wheel base: 2,570mm

Weight: 1,230kg (1,390kg with driver and co-driver on board)

Fuel: FIA approved


ANDERS JÆGERDate of birth: July 29, 1989Place of birth: Oslo, NorwayNationality: NorwegianWRC starts: 33WRC wins: 2

ANDREAS MIKKELSENDate of birth: June 22, 1989Place of birth: Oslo, NorwayNationality: NorwegianWRC starts: 89WRC wins: 3

#4 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC (chassis 009)

A relative latecomer to co-driving, Jæger has enjoyed a rapid rise to the WRC ranks having started his career in 2014 in his native Norway alongside Bernt Kollevold. He made his world championship debut that year with Ole Christian Veiby in Spain before going on to contest a mix of mainly Junior WRC and European championship events the following season, scoring five podiums including a win in the former. Jæger’s partnership with long-time friend Mikkelsen began in fine style in 2016 when they were second on Rallye Monte-Carlo, one of six podium visits that included two victories.RALLY MEXICO RECORD: Starts: 1, 2017 result: - , Best result: -

@andersjgr

Mikkelsen joined Hyundai Motorsport for three late-season events in 2017, passing his audition with flying colours by earning a long-term deal with the team. Having initially flown in skiing, he switched to rallying when injury curtailed his promising career on the slopes. Relocating to the UK for 2006, he was a winner shortly after getting his driving licence following his 17th birthday. Fifth on the 2008 Rally Sweden then made him the youngest driver to score a WRC point. Mikkelsen won back-to-back Intercontinental Rally Challenge titles in 2011-12. Having joined Volkswagen’s WRC line-up, he took his maiden win on the 2015 Rally de España, and won in Poland and Australia in 2016. Mikkelsen also scored his first podium finish for Hyundai with third on this year’s Rally Sweden.RALLY MEXICO RECORD: Starts: 3, 2017 result: - , Best result: 3

@AMikkelsenRally /andreasmikkelsenrally

HYUNDAI HEROESAndreas Mikkelsen and Anders Jæger


HYUNDAI HEROESThierry Neuville and Nicolas Gilsoul

An experienced WRC campaigner, Gilsoul was awarded the prestigious WRC Co-driver of the Year accolade in 2016 after finishing second in that year’s championship alongside Neuville. They joined forces in the spring of 2011 and the partnership quickly blossomed with victory on the Tour de Corse, then a round of the IRC, in only their second event together. Moving to Hyundai Motorsport for 2014, Gilsoul helped to secure the team’s first victory on Rallye Deutschland that season, and Thierry is quick to praise his co-driver’s precision and matching skillsets in the cockpit. Gilsoul’s four wins with Neuville in 2017 was more than that scored by any other co-driver, confirming this Belgian’s crew status as one of the most formidable in world rallying.

RALLY MEXICO RECORD: Starts: 6, 2017 result: 3, Best result: 3

@nicolasgilsoul /nicolas.gilsoul

NICOLAS GILSOULDate of birth: February 5, 1982Place of birth: Chênée, BelgiumNationality: BelgianWRC starts: 82WRC wins: 7

Neuville starts 2018 as a firm title contender for Hyundai Motorsport - especially following his Rally Sweden victory - having finished a close second in 2017. His successes last year included four victories – the most of any driver – and he finished with a win in Australia. Having enjoyed huge success at junior level before stepping up to the WRC in 2009, the Belgian finished second in the 2013 standings after a highly competitive season. Those performances caught the eye of Hyundai’s fledgling WRC team and he was signed for its debut campaign. Alongside co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul, Neuville scored the team’s debut podium in Mexico 2014 and led a memorable one-two (ahead of Dani Sordo) on Rallye Deutschland – the squad’s maiden victory. Although German is Neuville’s first language, French is used on events as the shorter words make communication more efficient.

RALLY MEXICO RECORD: Starts: 6, 2017 result: 3, Best result: 3

@thierryneuville /thierryneuvilleofficial

THIERRY NEUVILLEDate of birth: June 16, 1988Place of birth: Sankt Vith, BelgiumNationality: BelgianWRC starts: 87WRC wins: 7

#5 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC (chassis 008)


The vastly experienced del Barrio has co-driven for some of the biggest names in Spanish rallying. His career began in 1987 and he made his WRC debut in 1994 with Jesus Puras. They enjoyed tremendous success in their native Spain, winning three national titles. In 2004, del Barrio joined forces with Dani Sordo for an initial four-event campaign with the young Spaniard looking for an experienced co-driver. The pairing would reunite in 2011 for a longer WRC programme, which included three podiums and victory on the 2013 Rallye Deutschland. The crew will be chasing more success in 2018 with Hyundai Motorsport.

RALLY MEXICO RECORD: Starts: 3, 2017 result: – , Best result: 4

@CarlosdelBarrio /Carlos.delbarriocorral

CARLOS DEL BARRIO Date of birth: August 15, 1968Place of birth: Santander, SpainNationality: SpanishWRC starts: 79WRC wins: 1

Hugely consistent and experienced, Sordo has amassed a legion of fans since arriving in world rallying 15 years ago. This asphalt specialist’s career began at the age of 12 in motocross and karting, but he also tried hillclimbing before moving to rallying and winning the Junior world crown in 2005. The Spaniard, who is reunited with former co-driver Carlos Del Barrio for 2018, scored his maiden WRC victory in Germany in 2013 and was signed by Hyundai Motorsport later that year. Since then he has been an integral part of the team. Sordo helped in Hyundai’s milestone one-two result on Rallye Deutschland in 2014 and has since secured many more podiums. Scoring two top-three finishes in 2017 only added to his already impressive list of achievements. RALLY MEXICO RECORD: Starts: 8, 2017 result: 8, Best result: 4

@DaniSordo /DanielSordo

DANI SORDODate of birth: May 2, 1983Place of birth: Torrelavega, SpainNationality: SpanishWRC starts: 153WRC wins: 1

HYUNDAI HEROESDani Sordo and Carlos del Barrio#6 Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC (chassis 007)


JARI HUTTUNENDate of birth: February 28, 1994Place of birth: Kiuruvesi, FinlandNationality: FinnishWRC starts: 5WRC wins: 0

#32 Hyundai i20 R5 (chassis 037)

Rising star Huttunen has joined Hyundai Motorsport’s Driver development Program (HMDP) for 2018 to contest selected events in the WRC2 category. The Finn, who was named the Finnish federation’s Future Rally Star in 2015 after winning the SM3 class in his national championship, was chosen to take part in the HMDP project after impressing the team during a rigorous evaluation process. As a result, he will undertake a programme of tests and WRC events in a Hyundai i20 R5 this season. Huttunen and co-driver Antti Linnaketo won the 2016 ADAC Opel Rallye Cup in Germany, with six victories from seven events, before going on to contest last year’s ERC Junior U27 title in which they finished second. The pair also won the WRC2 class on last year’s Rally Finland.RALLY MEXICO RECORD: Starts: 0, 2016 result: -, Best result: -

@HuttunenRacing /JariHuttunenRacing

ANTTI LINNAKETO Date of birth: October 29, 1979Place of birth: Hattula, FinlandNationality: FinnishWRC starts: 8WRC wins: 0

Linnaketo’s co-driving career stretches back to 2004, when he began contesting events in his native Finland and neighbouring Estonia. He made his WRC debut in 2010 on Rally Finland, co-driving for Juha Laaksonen, and first teamed up with Huttunen in 2014 when they finished third in class SM3 on the Pirelli Ralli Tampere in Finland. The pair had been introduced that summer in a meeting facilitated by the AKK Driver Academy and, of course, went on to national success the following year on home soil. Huttunen and Linnaketo got their first competitive taste of the Hyundai i20 R5 on last year’s Wales Rally GB, when they gained some useful experience in the privately entered car ahead of this year’s WRC2 campaign.

RALLY MEXICO RECORD: Starts: 0, 2016 result: -, Best result: -

HYUNDAI HEROESJari Huttunen and Antti Linnaketo


Hyundai Motorsport

WHO'S WHO?Scott Noh – PresidentHaving held global roles within the Hyundai family since 1993, Mr Noh joined Hyundai Motorsport as President in March 2018 to oversee all areas of the operation, coordinating on a daily basis with Hyundai Motor Company in Korea.

Alain Penasse – Team ManagerWith responsibility for logistics, organisation and operation, Penasse plays an integral role in the running of the team.

Bertrand Vallat – Chief DesignerA key early appointment to the Hyundai Motorsport fold, Vallat oversees the team’s engineering and technical development.

Ernst Kopp – Workshop ManagerKopp utilises his experience gained from working in Formula One, sportscar racing and the WRC in his role.

Julien Moncet – Engine Department ManagerMoncet took over full management of the engine department in March of this year and now spearheads all engine programmes at the company’s Alzenau facility, including WRC and Customer Racing.

Stefan Ph. Henrich – Director of Marketing and PRA Hyundai Motor Europe spokesperson for more than a decade, Henrich works closely with team boss Michel Nandan managing the PR and marketing plan.

Michel Nandan – Team PrincipalVastly experienced, Nandan has built the Hyundai Motorsport team from scratch including establishing the squad’s base in Alzenau, Germany and the recruitment of experienced staff.


HYUNDAI IS HERE...

● For the second year running, Hyundai Motor Mexico is the main sponsor of Rally Guanajuato México.

● The company began operating on May 1, 2014 and has always focused on delivering the highest quality, safety, technology and comfort in the market.

● During 2017, Hyundai Motor Mexico registered 46,534 sales in Mexico, which was 28 per cent more than in the previous year.

● Nine Hyundai models are currently available on the market in Mexico, ranging from the i10 to the Santa Fe.

● During 2017, Hyundai Motor Mexico launched the Accent, the new hybrid IONIQ and the seven-seat Santa Fe with great success.

● All new Hyundai models sold in Mexico come with five years of warranty.

● Hyundai Motor Mexico currently has more than 60 dealers throughout the country – and the network is constantly growing

● Mexico was the setting of Hyundai Motorsport’s maiden World Rally Championship podium in 2014. This season marks the team’s fifth appearance on the country’s WRC round.

● For more information please visit: www.hyundai.com/mx


FIA World Rally Championship 2018 calendarHYUNDAI’S WORLD TOUR

Round 1 Rallye Monte-Carlo www.acm.mc

January 25-28

Round 2 Rally Sweden www.rallysweden.com*

February 15-18

Round 3 Rally Guanajuato México www.rallymexico.com*

March 08-11

Round 4 Tour de Corse www.tourdecorse.com

April 05-08

Round 5 YPF Rally Argentina www.rallyargentina.com

April 26-29

Round 6 Vodafone Rally de Portugal www.rallydeportugal.pt

May 17-20

Round 7 Rally Italia Sardegna www.rallyitaliasardegna.com

June 07-10

Round 8 Neste Rally Finland www.nesteoilrallyfinland.fi

July 26-29

Round 9 ADAC Rallye Deutschland August 16-19 www.adac-rallye-deutschland.de

Round 10 Marmaris Rally Turkey www.marmarisrallyturkey.com

September 14-16

Round 11 Dayinsure Wales Rally GB www.walesrallygb.com

October 04-07

Round 12 RallyRACC Catalunya-Rally October 25-28 de España www.rallyracc.com

Round 13 Kennards Hire Rally Australia www.rallyaustralia.com.au

November 15-18

*Jari Huttunen to contest WRC2 class for Hyundai Motorsport. Additional events TBC.


Event Mikkelsen Neuville Sordo Paddon Huttunen (WRC2)

Monte-Carlo 14 5 R - -

Sweden 3 1 – 5 6 (18 overall)

Mexico - - - - -

Corsica - - - - -

Argentina - - - - -

Portugal - - - - -

Sardinia - - - - -

Finland - - - - -

Germany - - - - -

Turkey - - - - -

Great Britain - - - - -

Spain - - - - -

Australia - - - - -

Hyundai drivers 2018 season results:

FIA World Rally Championship 2018 standings (after round 2 of 13)

THE SCORES ON THE BOARDS

DRIVERS1 Thierry Neuville (BEL) 41pts; 2 Sébastien Ogier (FRA) 31; 3 Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN) 23; 4 Esapekka Lappi (FIN) 23; 5 Ott Tänak (EST) 21; 6 Andreas Mikkelsen (NOR) 21; 7 Craig Breen (IRL) 20; 8 Kris Meeke (GBR) 17; 9 Hayden Paddon (NZL) 10; 10 Elfyn Evans (GBR) 8

MANUFACTURERS1 Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team 54pts; 2 Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team 53; 3 Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team 46; 4 M-Sport Ford World Rally Team 43


MEXICO MEANS● Rally Mexico is celebrating 15 years in the WRC in 2018, which makes it

the country’s longest-running world championship-level motorsport event. The rally has always had a strong focus on innovation and will pay particular attention to its environmental sustainability this season.

● The picturesque city of Guanajuato – a UNESCO heritage site – will again host the ceremonial start following the event’s brief sojourn to México City in 2017. The renamed opening test – the Monster Street Stage GTO – is a 2,53km blast that goes through some of the city’s old mining tunnels.

● Friday’s stages run north of Guanajuato and include the famous El Chocolate test, which even at a shortened 31,44km is still the rally’s longest stage climbing to over 2,700 metres in altitude and featuring plenty of fast twists, turns and dips. There is also a return to the street stage next to the León service park and the fan-friendly Autódromo de León test at the city’s motor racing circuit.

● The venue is used again at the end of Saturday’s second leg, which includes two live-for-TV runs through El Brinco where the cars will be flying high, as well as runs through the Guanajuatito and Otates stages.

● Sunday opens with the 24,32km Alfaro stage prior to two more live-for-TV tests at the ever-present Las Minas. This 11,07km run also counts as the event-closing Power Stage.

● Heat, dust and altitude are among Rally Mexico’s key features. Ambient temperatures hover around 30 degrees centigrade, and there’s dust aplenty on the stages that run in altitude in the Sierra de Lobos and Sierra de Guanajuato mountains and can zap engine power by up to 20 per cent.

● The WRC has visited Mexico almost every year since it made its inaugural trip in 2004 and it is well-established as the first full gravel event of the season. The rally’s roots go back much further, however, when it was known as Rally America and held intermittently from 1979 onwards, moving to its current León base in 1998. The 2007 Rally Mexico was the shortest in WRC history with a total distance of less than 850km, but it still included 366km of stages.

Recent winners

2017 Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle Citroën C3 WRC

2016 Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila Volkswagen Polo R WRC

2015 Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia Volkswagen Polo R WRC




*Correct at time of going to print

DAY ONE, PART TWO: Friday March 9, 2018Service A – Rally Campus, León In 0h15 09h30

SS2 Duarte-Derramadero 1 26,05km 10h33

SS3 El Chocolate 1 31,44km 11h21

SS4 Ortega 1 17,23km 12h14

SS5 Street Stage León 1 1,11km 14h02

Technical Zone & Regroup Rally Campus, León In 0h20 14h22

Service B – Rally Campus, León In 0h30 14h42

SS6 Duarte-Derramadero 2 26,05km 16h00

SS7 El Chocolate 2 31,44km 16h48

SS8 Ortega 2 17,23km 17h41

Light Fitting Zone León In 0h15 19h26

SS9 SSS Autódromo de León 1 2,30km 20h06


Technical Zone Rally Campus, León In 21h26

Flexi-Service C – Rally Campus, León In 0h45 21h26

Parc Fermé – Rally Campus, León In

DAY TOTALS (PARTS ONE AND TWO):Special stage distance: 157,68kmLiaison distance: 347,47kmTotal distance: 505,15km

EVENT ITINERARY*

DAY ONE, PART ONE: Thursday March 8, 2018Start - Rally Campus, León 18h15

SS1 Monster Street Stage GTO 2,53km 20h08

Overnight Regroup In (early check-in permitted) 21h38

Rally Guanajuato México March 08 - 11, 2018K

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DAY ONE: Thursday 08 / Friday 09 March, 2018


DAY TWO: Saturday March 10, 2018

EVENT ITINERARY*


Service D – Rally Campus, León In 0h15 07h30

SS11 Guanajuatito 1 30,97km 08h33

SS12 Otates 1 26,37km 10h11

SS13 El Brinco 1 (Live TV) 9,98km 11h08

Technical Zone & Regroup Rally Campus, León In 0h20 12h28

Service E – Rally Campus, León In 0h30 12h48

SS14 Guanajuatito 2 30,97km 14h21

SS15 Otates 2 26,37km 15h54

SS16 El Brinco 2 (Live TV) 9,98km 16h38



Technical Zone Rally Campus, León In 18h33

Flexi-Service F – Rally Campus, León In 0h45 18h33

Parc Fermé Out 20h18

SS19 Street Stage León 2 1,11km 20h26

Overnight Regroup In (early check-in permitted) 20h36

DAY TOTALS:Special stage distance: 140,35kmLiaison distance: 200,20kmTotal distance: 340,55km


EY

Stag

e St

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Dire

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naju

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/ S

S14

30,9

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26,3

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1,11k

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DAY TWO: Saturday March 10, 2018


DAY THREE: Sunday March 11, 2018

EVENT ITINERARY*


Service G – Rally Campus, León In 0h15 07h15

SS20 Alfaro 24,32km 08h18

SS21 Las Minas (Live TV) 11,07km 10h08

Technical Zone and Regroup Guanajuato In 1h20 10h23

SS22 Las Minas Power Stage (Live TV) 11,07km 12h18

Technical Zone Rally Campus, León In 0h05 13h48

Service H – Rally Campus, León In 0h10 13h53

Finish – Foro del Lago, León 14h30

RALLY MEXICO TOTALS:Special stage distance: 344,49kmLiaison distance: 711,39kmTotal distance: 1055,88km

DAY TOTALS:Special stage distance: 46,46kmLiaison distance: 163,72kmTotal distance: 210,18km


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SS21

/ S

S22

11,0

7km

SS20

24,3

2km

Ral

ly F

inis

h

DAY THREE: Sunday March 11, 2018


LEADING ENTRIES*

1 Sébastien Ogier (FRA) / Julien Ingrassia (FRA) Ford Fiesta WRC

2 Elfyn Evans (GBR) / Daniel Barritt (GBR) Ford Fiesta WRC

3 Teemu Suninen (FIN) / Mikko Markkula (FIN) Ford Fiesta WRC

4 Andreas Mikkelsen (NOR) /Anders Jæger (NOR) Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

5 Thierry Neuville (BEL) / Nicolas Gilsoul (BEL) Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

6 Dani Sordo (ESP) / Carlos del Barrio (ESP) Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC

7 Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN) / Miikka Anttila (FIN) Toyota Yaris WRC

8 Ott Tänak (EST) / Martin Järveoja (EST) Toyota Yaris WRC

9 Esapekka Lappi (FIN) / Janne Ferm (FIN) Toyota Yaris WRC

10 Kris Meeke (GBR) / Paul Nagle (IRL) Citroën C3 WRC

11 Sébastien Loeb (FRA) / Daniel Elena (FRA) Citroën C3 WRC

32 Jari Huttunen (FIN) / Antti Linnaketo (FIN) Hyundai i20 R5



AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST...HYUNDAI SHELL MOBIS WORLD RALLY TEAM ON EVENT PR CONTACTS:Thomas VillettePhone: +49 151 [email protected]

Nicoletta RussoPhone: +49 151 [email protected]

SOCIAL NETWORKS:

www.facebook.com/HMSGOfficial

www.twitter.com/HMSGOfficial

www.youtube.com/HyundaiMotorsport

www.instagram.com/HMSGOfficial

MEDIA WEBSITE:To download high-resolution photos for editorial use and for complete press information about the WRC and Customer Racing projects, please refer to: http://press.motorsport.hyundai.com Username: HMSGMedia, Password: Alzenau

TEAM MEDIA FUNCTIONS DURING RALLY MEXICO:Media Lounge: 18h30-19h15, Wednesday March 7, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hospitality Unit, Rally Campus, León

OTHER EVENTS DURING RALLY MEXICO:Shakedown: 09h00-14h00, Thursday March 8, Llano Grande (5,31km)Pre-event FIA press conference: 13h30, Thursday March 8, Media Centre, Rally Campus, LeónCeremonial start: 20h00, Thursday March 8, GuanajuatoPodium ceremony and prize-giving: 14h30, Sunday March 11, Foro del Lago, LeónPost-event FIA press conference: 15h30, Sunday March 11, Media Centre, Rally Campus, León


TEAM PARTNERS

www.mobis.co.krwww.shell.com

www.hyundai-steel.com

www.michelin.com

www.sabelt.comwww.alpinestars.com

www.hyundai-wia.com

www.amgservicios.com

TITLE SPONSORS

PREMIUM SPONSORS

TECHNICAL PARTNERS


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Rally Guanajuato México - Hyundai USA...Rally Guanajuato México March 08 - 11, 2018Welcome to round three of the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship in Mexico – and to a reinvigorated