WRC - Rally del Paraguay

The Rally del Paraguay brings the WRC to South America, based in Encarnación in the Itapúa Department. Paraguay is the third South American country to host a World Rally Championship round in the modern era, after Argentina and Chile. The rally base sits in the city of Encarnación, near the Argentina border and along the scenic Paraná River.

Circuit and Stages

The Rally del Paraguay features gravel stages that showcase the distinctive red earth of the Itapúa region. These roads offer a mix of smooth, fast sections and technical passages through dense vegetation. The surface is soft and ruts quickly, with hidden bedrock that challenges drivers and navigators. Crews face high-speed sections combined with changeable grip conditions that demand quick adaptation.

The Super Special Stage at Capitán Miranda provides excellent spectator viewing on a 2.5-kilometer circuit. This stage includes the characteristic red gravel, a short woodland section, twisting corners, and long straights. The longest stage spans 30 kilometers, starting with fast sections that transition to more technical areas with jumps and steep uphill climbs. The route continues on twisty, narrow roads with additional jump sections.

The Power Stage at Misión Jesuítica Trinidad starts on a two-lane road before transitioning to rougher surfaces with loose stones through a private hacienda. The stage includes a former landfill transformed into an open, flowing stretch with a bridge and triple jump. The final section features circuit-style corners and a jump near a VIP zone, concluding near the Jesuit Ruins of Trinidad.

Technical Challenges

The gravel surface cuts up quickly, especially on the second pass, creating deep ruts that affect car handling. Visibility can be reduced by fine dust in dry conditions, while rain can rapidly change road conditions. The abrasive nature of the surface makes tire management important throughout each stage. Car setup, braking stability, and acceleration performance prove crucial for competitive times.

Teams and engineers work with limited previous data from this location, requiring quick adaptation to the unique conditions. The combination of surface changes, dust, and potential rain showers creates varied conditions throughout the competition.

WRC Participants

The Rally del Paraguay welcomes entries from the World Rally Championship, WRC2 Championship, WRC3 Championship, and privateer entries. Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Hyundai Motorsport, and M-Sport Ford are expected to compete with their top crews. Teams like Printsport and Toksport are likely to field entries in the support categories.

Rally Heritage

The Rally del Paraguay builds on the long-standing Rally Trans Itapúa, which has been part of the CODASUR championship for years. This connection to regional rally history provides a foundation for hosting a world championship event. The rally showcases Paraguay's vibrant rally culture and the region's distinctive red earth roads.

Location and Access

Encarnación offers scenic views along the Paraná River and serves as a natural rally base. The city's location near the Argentina border means many fans can attend through the border crossing that links Encarnación with Posadas. The event provides an opportunity to experience Paraguayan hospitality and the unique character of the Itapúa region.

This WRC round in Paraguay offers teams and drivers a distinctive South American gravel experience with conditions that differ from other championship events. The combination of fast red earth stages, technical sections, and changing grip levels creates a comprehensive test of rallying skills.