By Fatih Erel
ISTANBUL (AA) – Andreas Mikkelsen won Thursday night's curtain-raising speed test at the 10th round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Turkey.
The WRC Turkey will be held between Sept. 13-16 in the Mediterranean resort town of Marmaris.
Sixty-eight cars from 22 countries will race 875 kilometers (543.7 miles) in 17 stages in four categories.
Though the packed streets of Marmaris, Norwegian Mikkelsen finished the 2-km (1.2-mi) special leg in 2:03 minutes.
Turkey's Youth and Sports Minister Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoglu gave the starting signal.
Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) will host the winner aboard a luxury motor yacht for a week to explore the Turkish Riviera.
Castrol Ford Team Turkey will race in the championship representing the host country.
Some 350 local and foreign journalists will cover the race and 155 television channels across the world will broadcast the event live.
