FIAT ABARTH OFFICIAL DRIVERS ANDREUCCI AND BASSO FIGHT BACK IN THE SECOND LEG OF THE 1000 MIGLIA RALLY

The 29th edition of the 1000 Miglia Rally, the second event in the Italian Championship and the first in the European Championship, ended today (Sunday, April 10) with Paolo Andreucci-Anna Andreussi in absolute third place, and Giandomenico Basso-Mitia Dotta in sixth place, at the wheel of official Fiat Abarth Puntos; the former team competes for the Italian title, and the latter for the European title. After the problems of the first leg, during which both cars had punctures (Andreucci's occurred while he was leading the race), in the second leg, the two official Fiat Abarth teams each won one of the three special speed trials (Andreucci won the first, and Basso the second). This performance allowed the 2003 Italian champion to claw back three positions, and the aspiring European champion to recover two. Andreucci moved from fourth to third place in the race for the Italian drivers' title, while Basso, who is competing in the nine events in the European championship, scored important points for the remainder of the season. Andreucci joined the winner Travaglia (Renault) and Longhi (Subaru) on the podium at the 1000 Miglia.

The race in Brescia was run on roads made slippery by the rain that fell over the weekend, complicating the choice of tyres and the set-up of the cars.

The team of Colombini-Guglielmini (Fiat Punto Super 1600) lead the Fiat Abarth Trophy (eighth in their category), in front of Manzini-Salvadori (tenth) and Pozzi-Curto (twelfth). The Fiat Stilo Abarth driven by Pesticcio-Sturla took Class A7.

The next event in the Italian Championship will be held on the dirt roads of the Adriatic Rally (May 7-8); the next European event will be the Rajd Polski (Poland) on June 4-5.


Final standings of the 29th 1000 Miglia Rally

1. Travaglia-Zanella (Renault) in 2h 41' 1.4"; 2. Longhi-Imerito (Subaru, 5.2" behind); 3. Andreucci-Andreussi (Fiat Punto Abarth, 46.1"); 4. Navarra-Fedeli (Mitsubishi, 1' 3.1"); 5. Bizzarri-Bosi (Renault, 1' 36.7"); 6. Basso-Dotta (Fiat Punto Abarth, 1' 55.2"); 7. Cantamessa-Capolongo (Subaru, 2' 15.1"); 8. Dallavilla-Vernuccio (Citroen, 3' 8.1").


Italian Rally Championship standings (after two events)

Drivers: 1. Longhi (Subaru) 35; 2. Travaglia (Renault) 28; 3. Andreucci (Fiat Punto Abarth) 22; 4. Cantamessa (Subaru) 18; 5. Sottile (Mitsubishi) 17; 6. Bizzarri (Renault) 14.

Constructors: 1. Subaru 35; 2. Renault 28; 3. Mitsubishi 25; 4. Fiat 22; 5. Citroen 3.


European Rally Drivers Championship (after one event)

1. Travaglia (Renault) 10; 2. Longhi (Subaru) 8; 3. Andreucci (Fiat Punto Abarth) 6; 4. Navarra (Mitsubishi) 5; 5. Bizzarri (Renault) 4; 6. Basso (Fiat Punto Abarth) 3; 7. Cantamessa (Subaru) 2; 8. Dallavilla (Citroen) 1.


Turin, April 10, 2005

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