ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base
Rally of Cyprus
Cyprus Rally
Overview
The Cyprus Rally is a rally event held annually in Cyprus, with its history dating back to 1970. It has been part of various international rallying championships, including the World Rally Championship (WRC) from 2000 to 2006 and 2009.
History
The first edition of the Cyprus Rally took place in 1970. However, due to the Turkish invasion in 1974 and 1975, the event was not held during those years. From 1983 to 1999, it continued as a standalone rally event. In 2000, it re-entered the WRC calendar and remained there until 2006. The rally returned to the WRC schedule in 2009 but has since been removed.
In addition to its participation in the WRC, the Cyprus Rally was also part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) for three seasons. In 2014, it joined the European Rally Championship as part of its continental program.
Organization
The organizing committee of the Cyprus Rally is based in Limassol and has been supported by various financial partners throughout its history. Rothmans was a main sponsor from the 1970s to the 1990s, while FxPro became a major partner in the late 2000s, supporting the event's participation in both the WRC and IRC.
Course
The rally takes place on the Troodos Mountains near Limassol, with its challenging terrain characterized by brittle stony roads. The high heat and slow speeds required to navigate these conditions make it a demanding test for drivers and mechanics alike.
References
Note: This article has been synthesized from multiple source snippets, ensuring that all factual data, numbers, dates, and names are intact.