Rally Mexico to Feature Underground Super Stage

Now here's a first in rallying too. While Formula One has moved to racing under artificial light for one or twice a year, the World Rally Championship seems to go the other way around, planning its first underground super special stage from as early as next season. In fact, it's 100 percent certain that the WRC field will race through underground tunnels in the eve of the upcoming Rally Mexico.

The news made the headlines through Autosport, whose sources report that the 2011 Rally Mexico will be started with a special stage around the city of Guanajuato. There is a catch however, as the 2-kilometer running will not take place under the clear blue sky, but through the city's network of tunnels.

This was all possible thanks to the historic and architectural characteristics of Guanajuato, which is a World Heritage Site and has been founded as a result of the mine digging that took place in the mountains that surround it back in the 16th century. The stage will actually open the Mexican event on March 3rd, and will take place before the famous in-city street race.

Following the stage that will take place “underneath” the city, the WRC field will take to the streets of Guanajuato, a stage widely considered one of the most thrilling to watch in the entire calendar of the series (because of the very narrow streets of the Mexican town).

According to the same Autosport sources, two other changes will be made to the itinerary of the North American event, namely the introduction of two super special stages at the Leon Race Circuit to close the Friday and Saturday action. As far as the Leon Street Stage is concerned, it will continue to be part of the rally during both Friday and Saturday.