The Fiat Rally, which counts towards the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, set off from the centre of Istanbul amid a picturesque crowd of spectators. Taking part in the rally are the Grande Punto Abarths driven by Andrea Navarra and Guido D’Amore, who now lead the IRC after their win at the Safari Rally, Turkish driver Volkan Isik, current leader of the European Championship, and the young Finn Anton Alen, son of rally legend Markku.
The starting ceremony was followed by a special 2.5 Km super-special stage, with the best time set by Spanish driver Ojeda (Peugeot). The super-special stage, run in an asphalted square, finished with Navarra in sixth place, Alen eighth and Isik eleventh.
The first leg sets off tomorrow (Saturday May 12), with a series of long, challenging special stages. The leg starts at 6:45 am and ends at 6:40 pm after ten special stages for a total of 138 Km of speed trials.
The only worry for Navarra is starting first: “The special stages are very quick and fluid,” said the official Abarth driver, “but also very gravelly. As I’m starting first, I’ll be clearing the road for the others.”
Turin, May 11, 2007
International
