The 2014 Rally France-Alsace launched its first competitive stages with courses in the Vosges Mountains and the Bas-Rhin region of France.
Drivers and crews began competition Friday, racing throughout the day in 114.80 timed km in seven stages along roads southwest of Strasbourg, reports Xinhua.
Ninety-seven teams from 22 nations are competing, including 54 from France and 24 from Alsace.
The race will continue Saturday and Sunday with stages in the Haut-Rhin region before returning to the Alsatian capital.
The final day of the race Sunday will include a first-ever loop around the city of Saverne (40 km northwest of Strasbourg) since the race was established in 2010.
This is the fifth consecutive year the multistage race has been run as part of the World Rally Championship (WRC), the annual yearlong racing series organised by the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
The Rally France-Alsace is the 11th round of 13 in the 2014 WRC calendar.
