Chile Rally Schedule: Can Red-Hot Pajari Catch Evans? Virves Could All but Secure World Title

Sami Pajari arrives in Chile chasing a fourth straight World Rally Championship victory and another chance to cut into Elfyn Evans’ lead. The season’s 12th round runs from Sept. 10 to 13, with Postimees following the event through a live blog.

Ten Rally1 cars will compete, matching the number seen at the recent Paraguay round. Pajari will drive a Toyota Yaris alongside Takamoto Katsuta, Oliver Solberg and Sébastien Ogier. Hyundai will field Thierry Neuville, Adrien Fourmaux and Esapekka Lappi, who replaces Hayden Paddon after Paddon finished second in Paraguay. M-Sport’s lineup remains Josh McErlean and Jon Armstrong.

Robert Virves will try to rebound in WRC2 after his Paraguay rally ended almost immediately. The Estonian, driving a Škoda Fabia, went off the road at virtually the first corner and recorded his first scoreless result of the season after four victories. Romet Jürgenson will also drive a Ford Fiesta, but is not eligible for points because Estonia’s quota has already been filled.

Virves is moving firmly toward the WRC2 title, with Nikolai Gryazin, Alejandro Cachón and Yohan Rossel among his main rivals in Chile. Two rounds will remain after the rally, or possibly one depending on what happens with the Saudi Arabia event. If circumstances fall his way, Virves could effectively secure the championship in Chile. Teemu Suninen’s absence adds uncertainty, with reports suggesting the Finn may not compete again this season.