Clock ticking ahead of the start of the third round of the Italian Rally Championship. The 20th Rally Adriatico packed with novelties, drivers and live coverage of the Spectacle Stage on Rai Sport 2.
Alex Perico (Peugeot 207 S2000) will be the first of the protagonists awaited in this rally as he is reaching this round as the provisional leader of the classification after the win scored in Brescia last month. Giandomenico Basso Peugeot 207 S2000 will try to challenge his leadership, strong of the win obtained in Ciocco's season opener despite the retirement due to accident at the 1000 Miglia as will the Skoda works driver Umberto Scandola, on Fabia S2000, who will also try to get the win that he just missed so far. Among the protagonists also the young driver from Brescia Stefano Albertini (Peugeot 207 S2000) will try and counter-charge after the DNF of 1000 Miglia, the Italian Gravel Trophy reigning champion Mauro Trentin (Peugeot 207 S2000), the several-times-champion Renato Travaglia (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX gr. R) who will hunt for points after the retirement at "Conca d'Oro", the young driver from Treviso Giacomo Costenaro (Peugeot 207 S2000), as well as the winner of the first race of the gravel Italian series Luigi Ricci (Subaru Impreza gr. N), the driver from Naples Fabio Gianfico (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX gr. R) and the exiting "Production” champion Max Rendina (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution).
In the Italian Gravel Trophy, Trentin, Ricci, Costenaro, Travaglia and Gianfico will certainly fight for the top together with Max Tonso (Ford Fiesta) and Valter Pierangioli (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX gr. R). One off presence also for Giovanni Manfrinato (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX gr. N).
The destines of the Italian Championship and the Gravel Trophy cross once again and this is going to be the main theme of the two days at the "Marche's Balcony” where fans will also enjoy the spectacle offered by the Italian Production with several drivers battling until the very last clocked meter. An eye will have to be kept on Alessandro Bosca that is the classification leader (and third absolute in the general standings). His Renault Clio R3 also leads the classification of the Renault Trophy and will have to watch his back from the attacks made by the Sicilian Andrea Nucita (leader of the Citroën Racing Trophy) and by Simone Campedelli, who did not score points after the retirement at Ciocco and the absence in Brescia.
The Renault Clio driven by Ivan Ferrarrotti and Rudy Michelini will try and slot in the fight for the top. The driver from Trento Alessandro Bettega, at his first exit of the season on a Citroën DS3 R3 will be ready for the challenge too.
All the drivers will have to challenge the specialists of gravel such as the experienced Fabrizio Martinis and the young Nicolò Marchioro, both on Clio R3.
The reigning champion and winner in Cingoli in the past edition, Paolo Andreucci will set the benchmark for all in the two wheel drive as well as in the hunt for the R2 title, that is the series for 1600 cc aspirated cars. The Peugeot Italy works driver will race with the new 208 R2 looking for a strong race exploiting his skills on the gravel. The challenge with Elwis Chentre will be quite interesting as the driver from Val d'Aosta will drive a similar car and the two will be confronted also by several youngsters like Giacomo Cunial (Citroen C2), Andrea Crugnola (Renault Twingo R2, leader of the Renault Twingo Trophy), Fabrizio Andolfi Junior and Andrea Carella (Peugeot 208 R2), with the latter four hunting also for the Italian Junior Title.
The start from Osimo (from the Town Hall square) will also add interest to the sportive themes of the 20th Rally Adriatico. A Spectacle Stage has been introduced in the Industrial Area on Friday 17 May thanks to the joint effort of Auximon Racing and the Town Council.
The Rally Adriatico will celebrate its 20th anniversary live: the spectacle stage will go live on RAI Sport 2 starting from 22.10. The clocked stage will be completely covered by AciSport's cameras and the commentary will be done as usual by Lorenzo Leonarduzzi with the technical help from Andrea Nicoli.
Saturday's stages will take place in the locations that already housed the race in the past while the chequered flag will wave in Cingoli, in virtue of its functional logistics (the headquarters will be based there) and a unique welcoming spirit. Jesi will be again part of the race with Service Park.
