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FIA World Rally: Round 11 of the 1999 FIA World Rally Championship at China

17 September 1999

The Great Wall of China, the world's most spectacular man-made creation and the only landmark visible from space with the naked eye, forms a sensational backdrop for the 11th round of the 1999 FIA World Rally Championship. For the first time in the 26-year history of the series, all the sport's top stars will be competing in the 'Forbidden Land' as the China Rally makes its debut in the 14-round calendar.

Hosted in Huai Rou, approximately 60 kilometres north of the capital city Beijing, the China Rally ran twice as a qualifying round of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. On both occasions it operated under observation from the FIA, the sport's governing body, for possible inclusion in the World Rally Championship. It is the first new entry into the series since 1996, and the success of the inaugural event in 1997 ensured it took first-reserve status in last year's calendar. Only two of today's World Championship contenders have previously contested the China Rally, both of whom are now driving for different teams. For the remaining eight regular drivers, the 22 special stages will be an entirely new challenge.

Run entirely on closed roads, the surface is very similar to other gravel rallies. However, the unique nature of the event lies in its environment. China is one of the four oldest civilizations in the world; it has a written history of 4,000 years and boasts spectacular scenery. Run along valleys with stretches up and over rolling hill ranges, the route of the China Rally is guaranteed to be one of the most striking in the Championship.

The opening ceremony for the China Rally, traditionally a breathtaking display of national culture, is on Thursday 16 September at Huairou Sports Stadium. Three days of competition covering 22 special stages and 380 competitive kilometres follow before the finish at Jin Shan Ling at 14:39 hrs local on Sunday 19 September.

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