The World Rally Championship (WRC) is a demanding and challenging sport that requires nerves of steel from the competitors. Each of the 16 rallies encompasses multiple stages in which each team must compete for the lowest elapsed time. The team with the least amount of racing time at the end, wins. Conditions can range from ice and snow to heat and dust, all in the same rally. And if this all wasn't enough, the mechanics that keep the cars going only have 20 minutes after each stage, and 20 minutes before each stage to do any maintenance and/or repair that may be required. If they go over the allotted time, a time penalty is given.

WRC cars are equipped with 2.0-liter 300hp turbocharged engines, 6 speed gearboxes, and 4 wheel drive. Each WRC car must originate as a four seat, production car with at least 25,000 being produced. However, this is where the similarity to a showroom car ends. Each car is torn down to the bare basics, and rebuilt as an ultra-stiff, roll cage equipped race car. And while horsepower and speed are important aspects of these races, driving is where it is at. If you can’t keep the car on the road in any conditions, all the power in the will not do any good.

Rally racing has enjoyed a surge in popularity due to the increased television coverage, especially in the US.

I found this site on the internet which should allow those interested more information on the World Rally Championship. This site also has information on the drivers and teams.