The World Rally Championship’s most famous mixed-surface rally reverts to its old all-asphalt event for 2021, and will potentially be where the overall champion is crowned.
Shakedown takes place on a stretch of major road better known as a cycling climb but also as the start of a stage on the final day of the rally.
The sun will be bearing down on the asphalt throughout the weekend, even when the air temperatures are lower, meaning the tires are going to feel the most strain on this event.
The biggest pressure will be on Toyota’s Elfyn Evans, who is aiming to keep his championship aspirations alive going to the final round rather than letting team-mate Sébastien Ogier be crowned one round early.
Here’s the key information you need to know for the penultimate round of the 2021 World Rally Championship season.
Leading entries
1 Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (Toyota Yaris WRC)
33 Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (Toyota Yaris WRC)
11 Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
69 Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen (Toyota Yaris WRC)
8 Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
18 Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston (Toyota Yaris WRC)
44 Gus Greensmith/Chris Patterson (Ford Fiesta WRC)
6 Dani Sordo/Cándido Carrera (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
16 Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria (Ford Fiesta WRC)
2 Oliver Solberg/Craig Drew (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
7 Nil Solans/Marc Martí (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC)
Rally Spain entry breakdown
Total 73 crews
11 Priority 1 crews
9 Priority 2 crews (WRC2)
14 Priority 3 crews (WRC3)
6 Priority 4 crews (JWRC)
3 RGT
30 non-priority crews
Rally Spain itinerary
Thursday October 14
Shakedown Coll de la Teixeta (2.68 miles) 0901
Friday October 15
SS1 Vilaplana 1 (12.43 miles) 0843
SS2 La Granadella 1 (13.5 miles) 1021
SS3 Riba – roja 1 (8.83 miles) 1142
SS4 Vilaplana 2 (12.43 miles) 1500
SS5 La Granadella 2 (13.5 miles) 1638
SS6 Riba – roja 2 (8.83 miles) 1759
Saturday October 16
SS7 Savallà 1 (8.75 miles) 0844
SS8 Querol – Les Pobles 1 (11.91 miles) 0937
SS9 El Montmell 1 (15.16 miles) 1038
SS10 Savallà 2 (8.75 miles) 1414
SS11 Querol – Les Pobles 1 (11.91 miles) 1507
SS12 El Montmell 2 (15.16 miles) 1608
SS13 Salou (1.39 miles) 1800
Sunday October 17
SS14 Santa Marina 1 (5.65 miles) 0700
SS15 Riudecanyes 1 (10.16 miles) 0808
SS16 Santa Marina 2 (5.65 miles) 1029
SS17 Riudecanyes 2 (10.16 miles) 1218
Stage distance: 174.27 miles
Liaison distance: 702.04 miles
Total distance: 876.31 miles