San Marino Republic, Saturday 15 July 2017 – The 45th San Marino Rally, sixth round of the Italian Rally Championship and third of the Italian Gravel Trophy, awarded the points up for grabs in leg one to Umberto Scandola and Guido D’Amore that have led all the way on their Skoda Fabia R5 of Skoda Italia Motorsport. The driver from Verona, the co-driver from Liguria and the Bohemian car, showed once again to be faster of the rivals on the gravel, but today’s classification is a proof that all the other rivals are not that far. Simone Campedelli and Pietro Elia Ometto were, in fact, second not very far behind on a Ford Fiesta R5 run by Brc. The driver from Romagna pushed hard getting very close to Scandola and the final gap was only 5’’. Another driver is still in contention for the final victory in the long leg of tomorrow: Kalle Rovanpera, Peugeot 208 T16 R5, who was third today ending 29’’1 shy of the pace setter. The sixteen years old from Finland was the favorite due to a good starting position, confirmed to have the fabric of the true champion, closing ahead of the several time Italian champion Paolo Andreucci, and Anna Andreussi on Peugeot 208 T16 R5 run by the Italian branch of the French company. The Tuscan driver had to pay duty, especially in the first of the three loops, for being first on the road sweeping for his rivals before being stopped by a puncture during stage seven.

In the Italian Gravel Trophy, the driver from San Marino Daniele Ceccoli was firmly on top until the last stage on the tarmac, where he had some problems with the axle shaft of his Ford Fiesta R5 and broke the bar. He, therefore, had to retire, handing the lead over to Giacomo Costenaro, Peugeot 208 R5 T16, followed by Luca Hoelbling, Skoda Fabia R5.

In the Italian 2WD Championship and Junior, Marco Pollara took a double win on the Peugeot 208 VTI R2B run by Peugeot Junior Rally Team. The Sicilian led Kevin Gilardoni, Renault Clio R3T in the 2WD, while Andrea Mazzocchi, Peugeot 208 R2 followed him in the Junior. In the Italian R1 and also in the Suzuki Rally Trophy, the victory went to Lorenzo Coppe, who led Stefano Strabello.

Tomorrow, Sunday, July 16th, the second day will feature the two longest stages of the rally, namely the “Monte Vicino” and “Apecchio” to be repeated twice. The rally will end in Borgo Maggiore, at the feet of the Titan at local 16.30.

CLASSIFICATION 45th SAN MARINO RALLY – DAY 1: Scandola - D'Amore (Skoda Fabia R5) in 51'17.1; 2.Campedelli-Ometto (Ford Fiesta R5) at 5.0; 3. Rovanpera - Pietilainen (Peugeot 208 T16 R5) at 29.1; 4.Andreucci-Andreussi (Peugeot 208 T16 R5) at 58.4; 5. Bulacia - Mussano (Ford Fiesta R5) at 1’37.2;6. Nucita-Vozzo (Ford Fiesta R5) at 1’46.0; 7.Costenaro-Bardini (Peugeot 208 R5) at 1’57.7; 8.Hoelbling-Grassi (Skoda Fabia R5) at 2’50.3; 9.Marchioro-Marchetti (Peugeot 208 T16 R5) at 3’23.3; 10.Panzani-Baldacci (Peugeot 207 S2000) at 3’29.2.

CIR classification: Andreucci 68,50; Campedelli 58; Scandola 46,50; Rusce 18,50; Perico 18; Rovanpera 15; Nucita 12; Ferrarotti - Chentre 11,50;

CIR Constructors: Peugeot 89; Skoda 53,5.

CIR 2WD: Gilardoni 66; Pollara 54; Canzian 43,50; Villa 13.

CIR Junior: Pollara 38; Mazzocchi 25; De Tommaso 24,5 Bottarelli 24,5.

CIR R1: Martinelli 66,50; Strabello 54; Rosso 47,50; Coppe 44; Paris 35; Scalzotto 34;Bravi 29,50.