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Guanajuato start in Mexico

Next year's Rally Guanajuato Mexico (8-11 march) will revert back to its ceremonial start location in the city of Guanajuato and will also feature a new power stage.

The gravel event will be celebrating its 15th year on the WRC calendar in 2018 and the rally's ceremonial start has always been one of the most colourful and atmospheric in the championship.

Mexico City's Zócalo square provided a spectacular backdrop for the start and opening stage of this season's event and taking the stars of the WRC to a bustling city centre proved to be a popular step.

However, it is understood a recent change in the city's governance means it's unable to commit to hosting the ceremonial start next year.

Rally organisers have therefore decided to kick the competitive action off from Guanajuato - although they are keen to return to Mexico City in the future.

The 2018 ceremonial start will therefore get underway from the Juárez Theatre in Guanajuato with the WRC field driving through the city centre's narrow streets to the historic Alhóndiga de Granaditas.

The location for the rally-ending Power Stage will also be different next season. The speed test will start at Las Minas and end at the statue of local hero El Pípila, where the prize-giving ceremony will take place.

Organisers are expecting to welcome an increased number of spectators, predicting a rise of around 6% on the 554,110 people that lined the stages in 2017.

Zdroj: wrc.com