Doubts surround the Word Rally Championship ahead of the season-opener in Monte Carlo, which starts on Tuesday.
Season-opener to go ahead despite financial woes
The 2012 World Rally Championship starts in Monte Carlo on Tuesday with doubts persisting over the future of the series.
The uncertainty came after the parent company of North One Sport, the championship's commercial rights holder and promoter, went into administration in December.
North One Sport, owned by Convers Sports Initiatives, was left seeking investment to continue in its role. However, the 10-year agreement it had with the FIA was terminated last week when motorsport's governing body said it had seen no evidence that a purchase of the company was to take place.
That left the WRC without the required timing and tracking infrastructure needed, not to mention an agreement for TV production and distribution.
Doubts were cast over the staging of the season opener, but it has since been confirmed that Eurosport will cover this week's event in the principality and the Automobile Club de Monaco will provide their own timing and tracking system, ensuring the event can go ahead as scheduled.
The saga has overshadowed the Monte Carlo Rally's return to the series after a three-year absence, and the event promises to be a gruelling test for man and machine.
Five-day test
The 80th running of one of rallying blue-riband events takes place over five days, as opposed to the standard three-day format, and the mileage covered will be the most in a WRC event since the 2002 Safari Rally.
The event will see Mikko Hirvonen make his Citroen debut after moving from Ford to join eight-time world champion Sebastien Loeb at the French marque.
Hirvonen's departure has left his Finnish compatriot Jari-Matti Latvala to lead the Ford challenge alongside Petter Solberg.
Latvala ended his 2011 season with a win on Wales Rally GB, and he hopes his growing confidence on asphalt will lead to a strong result on a "classic" event.
"I feel I'm more competitive on asphalt than ever," he said.
"All the pieces are there for a successful year - a strong team, a competitive car and two good drivers.
"We need to put them together for the entire season, and if we do that then we can fight for the manufacturers' and drivers' world titles.
"I've driven a Ford for several years, but this season I believe we have the best chance of winning.
"The team started 2010 and 2011 with a victory.
Good start
"It will be hard to win against the asphalt experts but a top-three finish would be a good start to the season ahead of rallies that suit me more.
"The roads are fast and follow the side of the mountains or the rivers in the valleys.
"The asphalt is old in places, so it's bumpy and the grip level changes.
"This is a classic rally. It's challenging and stressful in equal measure. You have to think about the weather and tyre choice.
"When we're in the service park at sea level in Monte-Carlo, we must predict what the weather will be like in the mountains at 1200m and make a selection accordingly.
"A wrong choice can cost several seconds per kilometre, so it can win or lose the rally."
Mini make their first visit to Monte Carlo since returning last year, and will be hoping drivers Dani Sordo and Pierre Campana can repeat the three victories they enjoyed with the iconic Mini Cooper 'S' in the 1960s.
