EUROPEAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP TWO FIAT PUNTO ABARTH’S AT THE EKO RALLY IN GREECE

Two Fiat Punto Abarth’s, in the hands respectively of Giandomenico Basso (teamed with Mitia Dotta) and Mirco Baldacci (with Giovanni Bernacchini) are taking part in the Eko Rally, eighth round of the European Rally Championship which gets underway tomorrow evening (Friday 23 September) with the starting ceremony from Aegio.
There are two scheduled stages: the first will be run on Saturday 24 and the second Sunday 25. The all-asphalt route covers 760 km, and there are 280 km of time trials in 13 special stages.
The Fiat drivers’ main opponents are Renato Travaglia and Frenchman Simon Jean-Joseph, both in Renault Clio’s.
Basso currently occupies second place in the overall rankings, which are headed by Travaglia, while Jean-Joseph is third. Baldacci, a regular competitor in the Junior World Championship, is taking part in the race as back-up for his team-mate.

Turin, September 23th, 2005
European Championship Rankings:
1. Travaglia (ITA) punti 40; 2. Basso (ITA) 29; 3. Jean-Joseph (FR) 21; 4. Princen (BEL) and Holowczyc (PL) 10.