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With the “Rally Russia” from July 9 to 11, 2009 in the Vyborg area (approx. 150 kilometres west of St. Petersburg), the “International Rally Challenge (IRC)” will have reached halftime. It will be the second run on gravel for Franz Wittmann/Bernhard Ettel. This fact makes the Interwetten Racing Team-driver very confident since he had finished in sensational sixth overall place at his IRC gravel premiere on the Azores versus the very strong S2000 opponents.

“This definitely was the highlight of my comparatively young international career. That’s why we don’t simply take for granted that we will score points this time but are strongly motivated to reach a place among the top-10. The gravel of the courses can be compared to Cyprus but the speed is like in Finland. That is a really tough combination which means a challenge to man and machine if you want to cross the finishing line," says Franz Wittmann

In Russia the Lower Austrian will once more rely on the proven Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. He is especially happy about his starting number, for the “7” is, in his own words, a really lucky number for him. Furthermore, the starting position as seventh car on the course is also very good. Even though the dominating team in the Championship, the Kronos-Peugeot-Team (with Meeke, Loix and Vouilloz) will refrain from a start in Russia, the competition will nevertheless be very tough. Especially the Mitsubishi and Subaru teams (Patrik Flodin, local hero Sergey Uspenski), whereas Subaru has not entered the IRC and is therefore not eligible to score points.

Even navigation problems wouldn’t pose an obstacle for Franz Wittman, for the Interwetten Racing Team-driver had Russian as a subject in school.

“I don’t speak it perfectly, of course, but there is always `sign language´to work things out. But I will try to brush up my Russian in any case, if only to show my respect to the host”, stated Wittmann prior to his departure to Russia.

Timetable for Rally Russia

Thursday, July 9

19:30 Start of Rally in Vyborg
19:58 SS 1 Yashino over 15,14 kilometres
20:20 SS 2 Kutuzovo over 10,35 kilometres
21:55 SS 3 Yashino over 15,14 kilometres
22:17 SS 4 Kutuzovo over 10,35 kilometres

Friday, July 10

10:56 SS 5 Druzhnoselie over 9,17 kilometres
11:39 SS 6 Losevo over 20,22 kilometres
12:12 SS 7 Topol’ki over 29,31 kilometres
15:03 SS 8 Druzhnoselie over 9,17 kilometres
15:46 SS 9 Losevo over 20,22 kilometres
16:19 SS 10 Topol’ki over 29,31 kilometres

Saturday, July 11

11:06 SS 11 Dubinino over 8,65 kilometres
11:24 SS 12 Perevoznoe over 10,93 kilometres
12:03 SS 13 Borovinka over 15,91 kilometres
13:20 SS 14 Dubinino over 8,65 kilometres
13:38 SS 15 Perevoznoe over 10,93 kilometres
15:00 End of Rally in Vyborg

Technical data of the Rally Russia:

Overall length: 670,98 kilometres
thereof 15 speical stages: 223,45 kilometres