The Ardeca Ypres Rally will be the focal point of the weekend of 23-24 June 2023. Coming on the back of two exceptional of the FIA World Rally Championship, the action will be intense as the top drivers will compete for the prizes in the Kroon-Oil Belgian Rally Championship and the British Rally Championship this season.
It is a return to the traditional date for the Ardeca Ypres Rally, at the end of June. The Ypres Historic Rally will also return to the summer date after their competition alongside the Ypres Rally Regularity in 2022. It ensures that 23-24 June is a weekend not to be missed.
“An important rule change is the basis of this decision,” says Alain Penasse, president of Club Superstage. “Last year, the closed special stages of the Ypres Historic Rally resulted in a somewhat sportier average speed in the regularity race. That is no longer possible with the new regulations. That is why we have decided to once again organise the Ypres Historic Rally together with the Ardeca Ypres Rally in June.”
The details of the Ardeca Ypres Rally are already known. The recce will take place on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 June. On Thursday evening there is the traditional shakedown with the qualifying stage in Nieuwkerke. After the ceremonial start on the Grote Markt at 3.10 pm, the rally opens on Friday evening with two loops of four stages: Westouter (7.32 km), Kemmelberg (13.31 km), Mesen-Middelhoek (7.08) and Langemark (9 .44km). The first loop consists of 74.30 km against the clock, with the crews returning to service at around 10 pm.
On Saturday from 10 a.m. another 10 special stages will follow, bringing the competitive total to 221 km. After two loops of four stages, Reninge (15 km), Watou (11.48 km), Dikkebus (11.46 km) and Hollebeke (22.32 km), a third passage follows in Reninge and Watou. The last test will function as a Powerstage with the finish podium is planned shortly after 8pm.
Meanwhile, the Club Superstage volunteers are hard at work preparing for their first event of the season, the Station Le Seau Monteberg Rally on Sunday 7 May, with on the Grand Place of Poperinge hosting the festivities.
