The RIV 2012 will get underway from Sion

The general layout of the 2012 edition of the Rallye International du Valais, the 53rd in its history, is already drawn. From the 25th to the 27th of October, the competitors will, as usual, face an extremely challenging route, with the gorgeous landscape of the region serving as a backdrop.

After having completed the administrative checks and the scrutineering on Wednesday, the crews will be flagged off from Sion on Thursday 25 October. The capital of the Valais has some 7000 years of history and houses many monuments spread over its magnificent historical centre, plus several castles and as many museums. Recently, the city has beneficiated from modern and user-friendly urban developments.

The organisation of the Rallye International du Valais thanks the City of Sion for its invaluable co-operation. It is also grateful to the cantonal and military authorities for providing the enclosure of the Casern of Sion, where the service park will be set up from Wednesday.

Thursday's special stages will take place in central Valais, in the area of Crans-Montana and Anzère, while Friday's stages are drawn around Nendaz and Veysonnaz. Friday night, in preparation for the last day of racing, the service park will move to Martigny, of which the region will host Saturday's competitive action, together with the destination of Verbier Saint- Bernard.