The shakedown of the 21st Rally Italia Sardegna, hosted at the Ittiri Arena, was the last dress rehearsal before the actual race, which will get underway in an hour, with the start of the first of the sixteen special stages that will be run, in 48 hours, between today and Sunday 2.
Among the passages at the Ittiri Arena also the most awaited and "out of the league" one, made by the president of the Region, Alessandra Todde , in the "co-driver" version of the Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux on the Ford Puma Rally1, but more determined than ever to confirm the interest in maintaining and defending the presence of the WRC World Championship in Sardinia. Perfect timing, because the world championship ambitions of the Rally Roma Capitale are well known and, given not only the sporting and promotional value also the income guaranteed by the Ris, over 80 million euros, the Italian round of the world championship must be kept close.
«A unique emotion and the precision with which the pilots drive is impressive. I came here for several reasons: to support the presence of the Rally Italia Sardegna in the coming years, but above all the value that this event gives back to the Region, giving prestige to our island and providing a truly important economic and tourist effect for our territory", she commented Alessandra Todde.
The lap of the track in Ittiri only opened the institutional visit of the president, invited to the Ris by the Automobile Club of Italy, which organizes the event with the support of the Region. The day continued with the transfer to the Alghero service park, where in addition to visiting Casa Aci/Sardegna, Hyundai, Pirelli and the Forestas stand, the president had the opportunity to speak with all the Aci top management, above all the president Aci, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, the general secretary Gerardo Capozza and the president of Aci Sport Spa and Ac Sassari, Giulio Pes di San Vittorio, as well as with the top management of the FIA.
Shakedown and race
This morning the fastest over the 2.08km shakedown was the Belgian Thierry Neuville on the Hyundai i20 Rally1, who finished in 2'13”7. Second time went to the Frenchman Ogier (Toyota Yaris Rally1, 2'14”3) and third to the Spaniard Dani Sordo (Hyundai i20 Rally1, 2'14”7). Completed a total of 85 passes, from 65 different cars.
Today's program includes 77.82 timed km, the result of the double passages on the Osilo-Tergu (25.65 km, 2.33pm and 5.33pm) and on the Sedini-Castelsardo (13.26km, 3.33pm and 6.35pm).