Rally Season Opens in the Aegean

The 2016 Turkish Rally Championship gets under way on 16-17 April with the Saygılı Rulman Aegean Rally, organised by the Ege Otomobil Sporları Kulübü, or EOSK for short, with Saygılı Rulman as title sponsor and the support of Obel Cıvata, Forum Bornova, Atarlar Petrol, Avis, Ramada Encore Hotel and Ströer Kentvizyon.
The rally begins with a ceremonial start in front of Forum Bornova at 13:30 on Saturday 16 April. Around 60 crews will then do battle over two days on the special stages in the Seferihisar region and on the spectator stage at the İzmir Park Race Circuit. As in previous years, the service park will be set up at Balçova İnciraltı, and the finish ceremony will take place in front of the Ramada Encore Hotel from 16:30 on Sunday 17 April. The rally covers a total of 494 kilometres and comprises 7 special stages. The Efemçukuru and Beyler stages will be run in the names of Selim Teoman and Mazhar Demiralp, who passed away in recent years.

DRIFT SHOW AT THE SPECTATOR STAGE
The rally's spectator stage, with two cars starting side by side, will be held on Saturday evening at the İzmir Park circuit in Pınarbaşı. Before the spectator stage, the drifting discipline, which has been upgraded to national status this year and gained Turkish Championship standing, will treat onlookers to breathtaking, adrenaline-filled displays.
NEW RULES TO INTENSIFY THE COMPETITION
A series of new measures is being introduced this year to increase competition in the Turkish Rally Championship. Among the most notable changes are the introduction of a power stage, a shakedown at every rally, a requirement to enter all 7 of the 7 rallies, changes to the points system, an open class allowing any car to take part, historic and national classes competing together as a combined class, and tyre limitations in all classes.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECTATORS
To boost interest in motorsport and make the rally easier to watch, a number of initiatives led by TOSFED will be launched alongside the Aegean Rally. Stands will be set up at 5 different points, including university campuses in İzmir and Forum Bornova, to promote the event and take registrations from those wishing to watch. Registered fans will be taken to the stages on free shuttle services running from set points on race day, and with the vouchers they receive at registration they will be able to enjoy food and drink and watch the rally to a music broadcast.