Sanremo (IM) 29/03/2017 – All is set ahead of the 64th edition of the Rally of Sanremo, the second of the eight rounds of the Italian Rally Championship. The rally organized by AC Ponente Ligure announces to be quite tight in the Absolute CIR, in Junior and in the 2WD Constructors, 2WD and the Italian RGT and Italian R1 Championships. The single make trophies Abarth 124 Rally, Michelin R2 Rally Cup, Peugeot Competition, Renault, Clio R3T Top and Twingo R1 and Suzuki Rallye Trophy will also take place. Alongside these races, the Rally Legend of Historic CIR by Eco Rally. Sanremo is waiting for the spectacle of Rally with 190 entered crews, 64 of which to compete in modern rally.
The opening of the Italian Rally Championship has confirmed the beauty of the series with Simone Campedelli that started on a high in Cicco on the Ford Fiesta R5 run by Orange1 Racing. He will be trying to repeat the victory scored in Tuscany here in Sanremo. The challenge will involve the "veteran" of Peugeot Italia, Paolo Andreucci, on Peugeot 208 T16 R5, who will try to counter-charge after Ciocco, as will try and do Umberto Scandola, on the works Skoda Fabia R5. All drivers will have to face the challenge of the New Zealander Hyundai's works driver of WRC Hayden Paddon, who will compete on his Hyundai i20, ahead of the Tour de Corse. The young Kalle Rovanpera will partake in the event on Peugeot 208 T16 R5. Alessandro Perico will certainly aim high on Skoda Fabia R5 R5, as Elwis Chentre on the Hyundai i20 R5 both focused on clocking miles up on their cars. Ready for the battle are also the Ford Fiesta R5 driven by Antonio Rusce and Ivan Ferrarotti.
The Italian Rally Junior Championship will also get going in Sanremo, with several drivers challenging each other as Mattia Vita, Nicola Manfredi, Andrea Mazzocchi, Damiano De Tommaso, Luca Bottarelli, Tobia Gheno and Riccardo Pederzani. They will all try to beat Marco Pollara, who has shown to be very quick on the Peugeot 208 R2 in Tuscany. The Sicilian will also be fighting for the 2WD Championship with Kevin Gilardoni, who has been very strong so far on the Renault Clio R3T and Riccardo Canzian also on Clio R3T. In Sanremo the crews fighting for CIR RGT will also be present. Fabrizio JR Andolfi is currently leading the charts on the new 124 Abarth. The driver from Savona will have to fend off the attacks moved by Totò Riolo on the other Abarth 124. The latter will also be in contention of the single make trophy of the House of the Scorpion. Alberto Sassi will challenge them on the Porsche 997. A total of 15 cars will take part in the Italian R1 Championship, that is currently led by Stefano Martinelli on Suzuki Swift R1B, who is followed by Emanuele Rosso, on Twingo R1A.
THE ITINERARY – The 64°Rallye Sanremo will get to its heart with verifications ans shakedown tomorrow March 30th, while the real challenge will kick off on Friday 31st at 12.00 with 5 stages including the 33km long “Ronde”. The rally will resume on Saturday April 1st at 7.10 and will continue with five more tests before heading back to Sanremo for the prize ceremony at 16.00. A total of 11 stages will result in 176,77 competitive kms on 502km long liason.
CIR Classification: Campedelli 16,5; Perico 11; Andreucci 7,5; Chentre 6; , Scandola 4; Rusce 3,5 Ferrarotti 3;. Nucita 1,5.
In the picture: the 2016 podium of Rallye Sanremo - Photo4
