WRC's Rally Italy Has Been a Muddy Mess

The World Rally Championship is on the Italian island of Sardinia this weekend, typically not a place associated with heavy rainfall. This week, however, rains have left the mixed-surface rally incredibly muddy in some stretches. That adds a unique challenge for drivers, and it creates some all-time great visuals for fans.

Because the weather conditions has changed throughout the day, footage from both yesterday and today's running shows cars sliding through mud and water against largely sunny Italian skies. Friday's conditions were rough, and were only made worse for Kalle Rovanpera when he encountered and successfully avoided a group of cows on the stage.

While the remaining puddles make the most dramatic visuals, the biggest challenges are the massive ruts left behind in the road by days of high-speed runs over those wet surfaces. Toyota Gazoo Racing's social team compared it to the famously challenging Safari Rally, which is much more difficult on cars than the average WRC event.

Combine those huge ruts with standing water that can hide them and you get moments like this. As Takamoto Katsuta found out, braking into such a deep divot at high speeds can position a car's nose for a massive impact with the ground. That led to major mechanical issues for the Toyota Gazoo Racing driver and his GR Yaris. Katsuta went on to retire from the rally, which Thierry Neuville leads by 36 seconds over his Hyundai teammate Esapekka Lappi with four stages left to run.

You Might Also Like

• You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox

• Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners

• The Man Who Signs Every Car