Diary 5 days – Asunción
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To the rhythm of the energetic song Thunderstruck by the popular Australian rock band AC DC, the organizers gave the official start to the pilots at the so-called Sambadrome in the city of Incarnationwhich was attended by some 15,000 people who vibrated before the pirouettes of the runners.
“What we have seen so far this weekend shows us the same passion, the same commitment and the same professionalism,” the Estonian said in a short speech. Emilia Abelhead of Road Sports of the International Automobile Federation, FIA, after remembering that the Paraguay Rally was awarded as the best in the world in 2025.
Tonight’s symbolic start took place after the tests or ‘shakedown’ of this same day, in which the Japanese stood out as the best Takamoto Katsutaaboard his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1. The Rally of Paraguay constitutes the eleventh stop of the WRCwhich has been run since 1973, and which in the local edition of 2025 had the Frenchman Sebastien Ogierdriving a Toyota Yaris GR Rally1, as the winner.
This year, the competition in the South American country will be longer and more technical, since the organizers added almost 24 more kilometers of running and 3 new sections, extending the stage from 335.22 kilometers in 2025 to the current 358.88, divided into 22 sections.
60,000 visitors are expected
Earlier, the deputy director of the Rally Paraguay, Ricardo Deggellertold reporters that they expect about 60,000 visitors. “That is why we want this edition to offer an experience that is not only limited to the race itself, but also to many activities that make the rally a great experience for the public,” he noted, quoted in a press release.
The symbolic start was attended by the president and vice president of Paraguay, Santiago Pena and Pedro Allianarespectively, who announced that they are working to ensure that the event maintains a Paraguayan stage beyond 2027, when the organization agreement between the country and the WRC. “We want the world rally to never leave Paraguay again, because this public deserves it,” he said. Alliana.
The eleventh stage of WRCwhich is run after the Finland and before the Chile, has as an incentive the dispute for the first places, since the leader, the Welshman Elfryn Evanshas 201 points, just 30 more than the Finn Sami Pajari and 41 more than the Japanese Takamoto Katsutaso the competition promises strong emotions.
