Spain sticks with asphalt, moves HQ to Tarragona.
The Rally of Spain will remain an asphalt event in 2005 and 2006, after the organisers agreed a deal, which will see the event stay in the Catalunya region.
Despite speculation that the event might become a gravel round, the news that the rally will move from Lloret de Mar to be based in Tarragona, secures its status as one of only four tarmac rounds now in the WRC, the others namely in Corsica, Germany and Monte Carlo.
The Rally of Spain will remain an asphalt event in 2005 and 2006, after the organisers agreed a deal, which will see the event stay in the Catalunya region.
Despite speculation that the event might become a gravel round, the news that the rally will move from Lloret de Mar to be based in Tarragona, secures its status as one of only four tarmac rounds now in the WRC, the others namely in Corsica, Germany and Monte Carlo.
A statement from the organisers, posted on the official Rally de Catalunya website explained that 'with the priority of not leaving Catalonia', Tarragona was the best 'alternative', 'especially as it had already been part of the event in previous years, when it featured as one of the three legs'.
The city of Salou and the Port Aventura theme park will now host the headquarters of the event.
Salou will be the venue of the ceremonial start on Thursday, as well as the podium and the final prize-giving ceremony, while the Service Park will be located in the facilities of Port Aventura, the theme park located less then two kilometres from Salou.
The rally, which was previously called the Rally Catalunya-Costa Brava, will now be known as Rally RACC Catalunya-Costa Daurada.
