The event was initially scheduled to take place earlier this year, but the risk of the swine flu endangering the rallying caravan proved decisive in the Mexican government's decision to stop the event. Earlier this month, the go-ahead for Rally Mexico was officially confirmed, with the gravel rounds due to start from as early as Thursday.
This won't be Isola's first rallying experience, as he previously did a one-off rally event in Italy last year. However, the aforementioned event was held on asphalt, whereas this week's Rally Mexico is an all-gravel round.
“This is a great opportunity for me to take the place of the drivers and feel what they feel in the stages. It's also a great chance for me to have some fun,” said Isola, who admitted he's not to be accounted as favorite for any of the stages scheduled in Mexico. “Put it this way: I don't think I'm going to win!” added Isola.
“I don't know too much about what to expect. I have done some ice driving before, which gives me idea about how to use the weight of the car while you are sliding - I think ice is a little bit similar to gravel, isn't it?”, added the Italian boss.
Isola will team up with Stefano Marrini for Pirelli Team Italia, while driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX.
The Rally of Nations is held once every two years in Mexico, an alternative scheme aimed to replace the WRC round in its rotational year out of the FIA schedule.
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