From Argentina to Australia, no bull

As the setting sun brought a close to Rally Argentina a meticulous process of cleaning and packing began. And with that comes an insight into the logistics of the WRC.

This year’s calendar sees the teams globetrotting from race to race. Already they’ve been to Europe, Scandinavia, North America, Europe and now, South America. The next few rallies keep the teams in Europe until September when they head down under for Rally Australia.

For Volkswagen, at least, the service park used in Argentina will be shipped to Australia. Sebastien Ogier’s website brings up to speed on that process:

While Sébastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen were out hunting best times on Saturday, the Service Park was being meticulously packed up. Under aggravated conditions, at that – observed by Australian Health Department officials, as a large portion of the equipment will be shipped directly Down Under, where the final flyaway rally of the season will be staged in September.

Australia imposes stringent quarantine conditions to prevent the influx of disease. At the top of the most-wanted list: strains of the deadly bovine foot-and-mouth disease. This is virtually omnipresent in Argentinean soil. Thus the Australian delegation insists upon absolute cleanliness. “All our equipment has to be clinically clean,” says Ralf Arneke, who is responsible for Volkswagen Motorsport’s mammoth logistics operation. “Only when the officials do not find a speck of dust or the tiniest stone do they affix their seal.”

Volkswagen Motorsport sends seven containers packed with equipment on tour. Using compressed air, vacuum cleaners, cleaning materials and even paint brushes the containers and their contents are painstakingly cleaned. “We go as far as partially stripping test cars to make cleaning easier,” explains Arneke. At times the Australians have even grabbed a steam cleaner themselves to ensure that clean is absolutely clean for safety’s sake.

[Source: sebastien-ogier.com]