Introduction

The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) pits cars and drivers in a series of three-day events against some of the toughest, and most varied, conditions on the planet - from the ice and snow of Scandinavia to the stifling heat of Greece and Jordan - over surfaces ranging from smooth tarmac to boulder-strewn rocky tracks.

Unsurprisingly, the series is widely regarded as the most challenging motor sport competition in the world. Established in its current format in 1973, in 2008 drivers and manufacturers will battle it out for the 36th annual drivers' and manufacturers' championship trophies.

Fifteen countries will host a WRC event in 2008. Each rally is split into between 15 and 25 'special stages' which are run on closed roads. On each special stage drivers and co-drivers start singly and race against the clock. The co-driver reads pace notes to alert the driver to the conditions on the road ahead.

All cars competing at the top level of the WRC are based on four-cylinder two-litre production cars. But although they look similar to the ones in a high street showroom, changes allowed to the engine, transmission and suspension, mean a WRC car is a turbocharged, four wheel drive monster that develops around 300bhp and masses of torque.

Regardless of the road surface, these machines can accelerate from a standing start to 100kph in around three seconds. Their top speed depends upon the gearing chosen for each rally, but 220kph is not unusual.

Regardless of the road surface, these machines can accelerate from a standing start to 100kph in around three seconds. Their top speed depends upon the gearing chosen for each rally, but 220kph is not unusual.