Friday 26 August 2016 – This evening the 52nd Rally Friuli Venezia Giulia started in front of the Gemona's main square. The drivers have headed off to the first stage, devised in the town center that was striken by a terrible earthquake forty years ago. This short stage officially opened the race that will continue with two challenging legs on Saturday and Sunday. The quickest time was posted by Giandomenico Basso and Lorenzo Granai, Ford Fiesta R5, that led Scandola and Guido D'Amore on Skoda Fabia R5, by 1.2s. Paolo Andreucci and Anna Andreussi were third on Peugeot 208 R5 T16, 1.6 seconds adrift. The fourth time was posted by Simone Campedelli and Danilo Fappani, on Ford Fiesta R5 powered by GPL. Behind him, Alessandro Perico on Peugeot 208 T16 R5.
In the Italian 2WD Championship, Ivan Ferrarotti was quickest on Renault Clio R3C, that ended ahead of the Clio R3T of Kevin Gilardoni and Luca Panzani. In the women trophy, Corinne Federighi, on Renault Clio R3 had the upper hand on her rival Beatrice Calvi on Peugeot 208 R2.

The race will continue tomorrow as cars will head off night regrouping from 9.01. Historic cars will be first. The first of tomorrow will be the classic "Masarolis" (Km. 14,96) and will be followed by "Montenars" (Km. 7,11). Time check in Artegna and then off to Prossenicco, for a old stage "Plan dal Jof" that leads into Subit ed Attimis, before heading back to Cividale's service park. Another loop will complete the first leg of the regional rally too.

Tomorrow's schedule (local time):
S.S.2 "Masarolis" at 11:13;
S.S.3 "Montenars" at 12:09;
S.S.4 "Plan dal jof" at 13:27;
S.S.5 "Masarolis" at 15:37;
S.S.6 "Montenars" at 16:33;
S.S.7 "Plan dal jof" at 17:51.

The total itinerary of the Rally, featuring 11 stages, measures 517,9 kms, 152,430 competitive.

CLASSIFICATION 52nd RALLY FRIULI VENEZIA AFTER S.S.1: 1. Basso-Granai (Ford Fiesta R5); in 55.7;2. Scandola-D'Amore (Skoda Fabia R5) at 1.2; 3. Andreucci-Andreussi (Peugeot 208 T16 R5)at 1.6 ;4. Fiesta R5);4. Campedelli-Fappani (Ford Fiesta R5 gpl) at 1.9; 5. Perico-Turati (Peugeot 208 T16 R5)at 2.1 ;6.Bosca-Aresca (Ford Fiesta R5) at 2.7; 7.Tempestini-Bernacchini ( Ford Fiesta R5) at 3.9; 8.Rusce-Farnocchia ( Ford Fiesta R5) at 4.2; 9. Von Thurn Und Taxis- Degandt (Skoda Fabia R5) at 4.7; 10.Tassone-De Marco ( Peugeot 208 T16 R5) at 5.4.