Abarth will kick of its bid to win the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) title on 21st January when factory drivers Giandomenico Basso and Anton Alén roll down the start ramp behind the wheel of the new 2009-specification Grande Punto Abarth S2000 in Monaco as the 77th Monte Carlo Rally gets underway.

The 2009 IRC calendar has just been announced and it will feature 12 rounds, continuing the tried and trusted formula of combining well-known classic rallies with new events in emerging markets. Next year, there will be a roughly 50-50 mix of asphalt and gravel rallies, as well as five exciting new events joining the existing rally line-up as the calendar expands. The changes reflect the increasing prominence of the IRC in world motorsport, following yet another successful and highly-competitive season this year.

The 2009 series will start with the world famous Monte Carlo Rally in January: the oldest and most prestigious event in the history of the sport. Other events joining the IRC calendar this year for the first time include the all-new Rally of Curitiba in Brazil, the Sata Rally Acores in Portugal, the Rally Japan and finally the RAC MSA Rally of Scotland in the United Kingdom.

Geraldine Filiol, Managing Director of Eurosport Events, commented: “The IRC has taken a number of major steps forward throughout 2008, with the levels of competition and ground-breaking live television coverage underlining the spectacular rise in the profile of the series. For 2009, we are embarking on our most ambitious season yet. Not only do we start the year with the legendary Monte Carlo Rally – which is an emblematic event on the world sporting calendar – but we visit the South American continent for the first time, making the IRC a truly global series that is accessible to everyone.”

2009 IRC PROVISIONAL CALENDAR

21-24 January Monaco Monte Carlo Rally (a); 05-07 March Brazil Rally Internacional de Curitiba (g); 03-04 April Kenya (to be confirmed) Safari Rally (g); 07-09 May Portugal Sata Rally Acores (a); 18-20 June Belgium Ypres Westhoek Rally (a); 09-11 July Russia. Rally Russia (g); 30 July-01 August Madeira Rali Vinho Madeira (a); 21-23 August Czech Republic Barum Rally Zlin (a); 10-12 September Spain Rally Principe de Asturias (a); 24-26 September Italy Rally Sanremo (a); 22-24 October Japan (dates to be confirmed) Rally Japan (g); 19-21 November United Kingdom RAC MSA Rally of Scotland (g).