The FIA World Rally Championship heads to the picturesque region of Biobío, Concepción, to hold one of the most unpredictable events. WRC Rally Chile 2024 – the twisty, fast, and slippery gravel dance, which takes place from September 26th to 29th. What to expect from the event? Let’s recall the crucial features that make the Chile Rally so thrilling.

The Venue Is Still Brand New

Ask any rally driver to describe the Rally Chile, and they will all point to the unpredictable nature of this brand-new venue. Despite its debut in the 2019 WRC season, the event has only been held twice, in 2019 and 2023, for specific reasons.

Therefore, the unfamiliar landscape, changing weather, and challenging route make Chile’s round a place where anyone can stumble out of the blue.  

A few recalls.

Thus, the 2019 Rally Chile saw a chain of action dramas. Out of the blue, Toyota’s Kris Meeke rolled his Yaris on the opening stage, while championship leader Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville crashed hard in his i20. He lost any chance of continuing the rally, and the battle for the podium began.

However, next in line was Toyota driver and current leader Jari-Matti Latvala, who hit a rock on the final stage, further intensifying the battle between Hyundai’s Sébastien Loeb and Citroen’s Sébastien Ogier, who finished third and second respectively. Another Toyota driver, Ott Tänak, took the win.

No less thrilling was last year’s Rally Cnile 2023, where every day of the event included a crash. Esapekka Lappi and Pierre-Louis Loubet were the main survivors. However, Ott Tänak, driving for M-Sport Ford, won again, so we have learned that nobody knows what to expect from the Rally Chile.

The Route Is Slightly Different

As if it were not enough that the WRC drivers do not know Chile like the back of their hands, the organizers have refreshed the special stages.

So, the rally kicks off with a Shakedown at the new Campamento Conuco on Thursday morning. The Concepción city is still the main area for WRC Chile 2024’s base, where the start ceremony launches on Thursday.

Friday’s route is the same as last year’s, with a loop of three stages, with San Rosendo being the longest.

However, Saturday is a mixture of new and old routes, as the stages of Pelun and Lota have been changed, while Maria Las Cruces is the longest test – at almost 29 km.  

The final day starts with Laraquete, which has familiar tones with the El Pinar test in 2019, but the Wolf Power Stage Bio Bio will be a brand new test that includes the parts of Maria Las Cruces and Lota.

Overall, the WRC Rally Chile 2024 features a total distance of 1,193 km, with 307.48 km dedicated to 16 special stages, while the  Service Park – The central hub for teams and fans, is located at MDS Hotel Talcahuano.

Beyond The Context

Despite the problems that have plagued the event in the past, Rally Chile has gone to great lengths to be recognized for its environmental efforts and has received the ‘Achievement of Excellence‘ accreditation from the FIA Institute’s Environmental Program.

Therefore, the WRC Rally Chile 2024 will be run under measures to protect local wildlife and natural habitats throughout the rally, minimizing its environmental footprint.

In addition, organizers have taken a step forward to ensure the safety of participants and spectators, with medical stations set up in the Service Park and emergency services on standby throughout the event.

Overall, What Is The Chile Rally Like?

The WRC Rally Chile resembles a cross between New Zealand and Great Britain rallies when it rains and becomes Rally Finland when the sun shines. So, with raindrops in the forecast, its 2024 version will be no exception and will be a tough one.

For example, terrain variability is one of Rally Chile’s hallmarks, as the route features a mix of surface types, including gravel and dirt roads, with varying levels of grip, influencing tire choice and racing strategy.

The WRC Chilean route also includes many technical sections with tight corners and elevation changes, some of which are slippery and require a high level of skill from the drivers, especially on the long stages.

Weather conditions will affect grip and visibility, adding another layer of difficulty and forcing teams to strategize and adapt quickly to changing conditions.

Top Teams And Drivers To Watch On

The rising battle for the Teams’ and Drivers’ Championships adds thrill to the Rally Chile 2024. Thus, the first three drivers have a minimal gap in a deal for the 2024 title.

Despite Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville (192 points) being on the way to his first-ever championship win, Toyota’s Sébastien Ogier (154) is his major contender in the issue. At the same time, Neuville’s teammate Ott Tänak (158) has something to answer for, as the Estonian rally driver already has all two victories in Chile. Fans can expect fierce competition as drivers battle for crucial championship points.

Alongside the personnel duels, between Hyundai (445) and Toyota Gazoo Racing (410) just 35 points in the manufacturers’ championship.

In Pursuit

The Rally of Chile is a challenging event on the WRC calendar, and although it has the familiar patterns of the WRC stages in New Zealand and Great Britain, the event is still very unpredictable.

Most likely, it is explained by the brand new venue because despite debuting in 2019, the Rally of Chile still has its unfamiliar look and spirit, on which many drivers make mistakes soon. Thus, in terms of statistics, every day of the event in previous years included damage and crashes.

In addition, the weather is always a challenge for the teams’ starting and tire management to adapt quickly.

The battle for the championship is another reason to be excited about RallyChile 2024, as two teams and three drivers will be competing for the title. So the major contenders are Hyundai and Toyota Gazoo Racing, while Thierry Neuville, Sébastien Ogie, and Ott Tänak are heading to the personal battle for the lead.

On top of that, the organizers have made the riders’ task even more difficult with a slightly different route, including the brand-new Wolff Power Stage.

Stay up to date:

For more information, visit the official Rally Chile website and stay updated on all the latest news. You can check the entire itinerary while the Livestream of the Rally Chile is available on Rally TV or through the highlights on Red Bull TV.