All athletes from these countries will compete for the Latvian Rally Championship and Cup, Latvian Rallysprint championship, and Baltic Winter Rally Cup points as well.
The first day of rally, including the new roads, will likely mark further course of all race, as the possibilities and advantages for all riders there will be the same.
It might won't be easy for viewers to make a choice between first (and very complicated) special stage "Grūbe-Hidro", formed by almost continued meanders of cascades alternating with springboards, and the second one- "Līvs- AM"- fast, well foreseeable stage. Because of the fact that both of the special stages will be driven for the second time after dark, viewers will have a opportunity to watch them again. They will be able to enter special stage before its closing and find their favorite place from all the cleaned areas specially for viewers to watch rally.
In the second day of rally, when drivers and spectators will move to traditional "Sarma" rally location, competitions will continue at three special stages, which each athlete will have to drive twice. Special stage "Gaujmala" which most part is located parallel to the Gauja, last time was included in the content of "Sarma" three years ago. Perhaps, some drivers will have already forgotten its cunning meanders.
Also the region of Gulbene is having brand new special stage that has never been driven before. The reason for it is that the forest road where the special stage happens is only built this year. Deep ditches, full of snow, in the edges of special stage ''ZZK Agro" are going to be ruthless and won't let the drivers to redeem their mistakes.
"Ilkteri" - the final special stage of competitions which is also the longest special stage of rally - "Sarma" classic, with familiar and favorite locations for annual spectators, which includes well known apple detour serie - there the organizers will have been taken a care of visibility and edges of the track.
Award ceremony after 10 special stages and almost 130 km driven will happen at Sunday evening, at the castle hall of Vecgulbene's manor.
Starting from the afternoon of 7.02. it will be possible to buy maps for spectators at "L-4 ! Rally pub", Braslas str. 15, and at LAF (only till Thursday). From Friday it will buy them at rally centre in Gulbene and Saturday- in Ape. Also, it will be possible to buy maps during the rally, next to the entrances of all special stages. Price for ticket to one special stage - Ls 2. Map for spectator for both days of rally to all special stages - Ls 5. Special stage maps are at magazine AutoEuro and sites 4rati.lv and aurorally.lv
Rally "Sarma 2012" is organized by SIA "Gulbenes AUTO-MOTO" and supported by municipalities of Gulbene and Ape, SIA "Grūbe-Hidro, "Līvs AM", Baltā Pils, Snedija, Akvedukts, SIA Alba 5, Ikteri, Ponsse, construction company ZDZ, MK Ape, Gulbenes autobuss, SIA Kopa, Vītola izdevniecība, MGM Transport, Latvijas Autoceļu uzturētājs, YUASA, MIchelin, Radio Skonto Vidzeme.
Informative supporters - 4rati.lv, Radio 101 Rūc, Dzirkstele.
Members of social networks can follow to all news on rally "Sarma" Facebook page www.facebook.com/rallysarma and on Twitter account www.twitter.com/RallySarma
Ģirts Avotiņš : press secretary for rally "Sarma 2012". Photo: Dace Janova, photographic agency "4rati". Translated by Linda Rigerte & Laura Rigerte.