MOTORSPORT NEWS ARCHIVE

Punto leads European Rally Championship

The new Fiat Punto, which is set to arrive in Australia during July, has taken the lead in the European Rally Championship after a crushing victory in the opening round, the Rally 1000 Miglia, crewed Paolo Andreucci and Anna Andreussi. The win also puts the Punto and Andreucci at the head of the Italian Rally Championship and proves the new low-cost 'Super 2000' rally format can, at least in the form of Fiat Punto, more than hold its own at International level against its more expensive rivals.

Providing the stiffest of opposition for the Fiat in the event were a host of 2006-specification Japanese Mitsubishi and Subaru rally machines, divided between Renato Travaglia, Gianfranco Cunico, Andrea Dallavilla and Sandro Sottile (all driving the Mitsubishi Evo IX) and Piero Longhi, Luca Cantamessa and Andrea Aghini (Subaru Impreza STi) who would provide the challenge.

The Fiat drivers' though served notice of their intent to go all-out for glory on the Rally 1000 Miglia during the opening 'Daniel Bonara' superspecial stage (20th April) with a 1-2-3 formation finish on the 4.1 km 'spectator-friendly' stage. Andreucci was quickest, edging proceedings to arrive at the flag 2.8 seconds faster than Navarra and 3.2 over Basso, who was finally making his competitive debut at the wheel of the Grande Punto Rally.

The first leg (21st April) kicked off in earnest with the 16.64 km SS2 'Cavallino' stage which Andrea Aghini shaded by 2.2 seconds from Andreucci, although the N.technology driver held onto the overall rally lead. Getting into his stride Andreucci then won special stages three, four and five before the field bypassed SS6 which was cancelled. After a day that was characterised by bright sunshine with the occasional heavy showers, the Fiat star driver also won SS9 and SS10 to cruise safely into overnight parc ferme with a 1 minute and 1.3 seconds lead over Andrea Dallavilla (Evo IX,) 1 minute and 28.8 seconds over Sandro Sottile (Evo IX,) and 1 minute and 37.5 over third placed Luca Cantamess (Impreza STi.)

The frenetic pace of leg one had accounted for both of Andreucci's N.technology team-mates, Navarra and Basso, although the latter would take advantage of the 'SupeRally' rule to return to the fray for the final leg to gain more invaluable driving time at the wheel of the new Grande Punto Rally. However the time penalty imposed overnight would keep him firmly down the lower order of the general classification.

The second leg was contested over seven stages (reduced to six after SS14 was cancelled) and with a healthy advantage of more than a minute over his nearest rival Andreucci could afford to soak up the pressure and allow his rivals to take the fight to him. However Andreucci is always a charger and on the opening stage of the day, SS11 Colle San Zeno at 32.51 km the longest stage of the rally, he went fastest overall and extended his lead over Dallavilla to 1 minute and 24 seconds after the latter could only manage fifth fastest scratch time.

With the rally pretty much in the bag Andreucci eased off, posting two second fastest times, as well as a third, a fourth, and a sixth scratch time on the remaining five stages to finish the Rally 1000 Miglia almost a minute and a half ahead of his closest rival Cantamessa (Evo IX) and over two minutes in front of the two highly-regarded Impreza's of Sottile and Dallavilla. Meanwhile Basso, who had suffered a torrid time on the opening day, got into his stride on leg two, setting the fastest overall time on the 17.7 km SS16 Irma stage.

Results

Rally 1000 Miglia, Final Classification:

1. Andreucci -Andreussi (Fiat Grande Punto) in 3 hr 04'20"8;

2. Cantamessa - Capolongo (Subaru Impreza) + 1'28"8;

3. Sottile - Nari (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 2'01"4;

4. Dallavilla - Vernuccio (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 2'34"6;

5. Ratiglia -Zanella (Mitsubishi Lancer) + 4'40"0;

6. Perego - De Luis (Subaru Impreza) + 5'34"7;

7. Colombini - Guglielmini (Subaru Impreza) + 6'28"8;

8. Ricci - Baruffa (Subaru Impreza) + 7'11"2;

9. Garcia Ojeda -Barrabes (Peugeot 206) + 8'02"5;

10. Cecchettini - Pinelli (Mitsubishi Lancer) a 9'57"3.

FIA European Rally Championship (after 1 round): 1. Andreucci (Fiat) 10 points; 2. Cantamessa (Subaru) 8; 3. Sottile (Mitsubishi) 6; 4. Dallavilla (Mitsubishi) 5; 5. Ratiglia (Mitsubishi) 4; 6. Perego (Subaru) 3; 7. Colombini (Subaru) 2; 8. Ricci (Subaru) 1.

© italiancar.com.au 01/05/06