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The FIA World Rally Championship continues in South America this week with Rally Chile Biobío. The 12th round of the season takes crews onto the fast gravel roads around Concepción from 10 to 13 September, with Robert Virves and Jakko Viilo back in WRC2 action.
This is the fifth time Rally Chile is part of the WRC. Chile first joined the championship in 2019 before returning to the calendar in 2023. This year’s rally features 16 special stages covering 311.18 competitive kilometres. The service park is based in Concepción, close to Chile’s Pacific coast.
Chile also has a notable place in Estonian rally history. Ott Tänak won the first WRC edition of Rally Chile in 2019 and repeated the result in 2023, becoming the winner of the event’s first two WRC editions.
Fast roads through the forests
Rally Chile is known for its fast and technical gravel roads through the forests and hills of the Biobío region. The surface is generally smooth and compact, but some sections are narrow and leave little room for mistakes.
Mist, coastal fog and tree cover can limit visibility, making accurate pace notes particularly important on fast sections with blind corners. Weather can also change conditions quickly, with rain making the roads more slippery and loose gravel building up off the main line in dry conditions.
Robert Virves and Jakko Viilo
Robert Virves and Jakko Viilo will compete in Chile with Toksport WRT in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 car. Virves currently leads the WRC2 drivers’ standings with 100 points.
The Estonian crew has four WRC2 victories this season, winning in Kenya, Greece, Estonia and Finland.
Now attention turns to the 16 stages in Chile. Fingers crossed!
Rally Chile 2026 schedule
The times below are in Estonian local time (EEST).
Thursday, 10 September
- 17:00 Shakedown El Manzano (5.76 km)
Friday, 11 September
- 14:53 SS1 Turquía 1 (22.94 km)
- 15:48 SS2 Nuevo Rere 1 (10.76 km)
- 16:36 SS3 Hualqui 1 (16.69 km)
- 21:09 SS4 Turquía 2 (22.94 km)
- 22:04 SS5 Nuevo Rere 2 (10.76 km)
- 22:52 SS6 Hualqui 2 (16.69 km)
Saturday, 12 September
- 15:08 SS7 Pelún 1 (15.65 km)
- 16:01 SS8 Lota 1 (25.64 km)
- 17:05 SS9 Maria las Cruces 1 (28.31 km)
- 21:08 SS10 Pelún 2 (15.65 km)
- 22:01 SS11 Lota 2 (25.64 km)
- 23:05 SS12 Maria las Cruces 2 (28.31 km)
Sunday, 13 September
- 15:00 SS13 Carampangue 1 (26.82 km)
- 16:05 SS14 Biobío 1 (8.78 km)
- 17:13 SS15 Carampangue 2 (26.82 km)
- 19:15 SS16 Biobío 2 Power Stage (8.78 km)
FAQ Rally Chile Biobío 2026
When does Rally Chile Biobío 2026 start?
Rally Chile Biobío begins on Thursday 10 September with the shakedown at El Manzano. The first competitive stage is on Friday 11 September.
When does Rally Chile Biobío 2026 finish?
The rally finishes on Sunday 13 September. The final BioBio 2 Power Stage starts at 19:15 Estonian time.
How many stages are included in Rally Chile Biobío 2026?
The rally features 16 special stages covering 311.18 competitive kilometres.
Where is Rally Chile Biobío based?
The rally is based in Concepción in the Biobío region of Chile. The stages run through the surrounding forest and hillside roads.
Is Robert Virves competing in Rally Chile Biobío 2026?
Yes. Robert Virves and co-driver Jakko Viilo are competing in a Toksport WRT 2 Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
Where can Rally Chile Biobío be watched live?
Every special stage can be watched live through Rally.TV. Live timing, results and event updates are also available on WRC.com.
Photo (C): André Lavadinho, Chanz
