04 Aug 2006

The Grande Punto leads the Vinho da Madeira Rally

After 8 special speed trials, the official Fiat Grande Punto driven by Giandomenico Basso and Mitia Dotta, leads the Vinho da Madeira Rally, the sixth event in the European Rally Championship, and the third in the FIA championship known as the International Rally Challenge.

The Grande Punto leads the Vinho da Madeira Rally

After 8 special speed trials, the official Fiat Grande Punto driven by Giandomenico Basso and Mitia Dotta, leads the Vinho da Madeira Rally, the sixth event in the European Rally Championship, and the third in the FIA championship known as the International Rally Challenge. On the Portuguese island, just two speed trials before the end of the first leg, Basso has accumulated an advantage of 59.9" on Jean Joseph’s Renault Clio, and 1'04.9" on Araujo’s Mitsubishi Lancer. The official Grande Punto has won 6 of the speed trials, leaving its rivals only the first “exhibition” speed trial on the coast road in Funchal, and the eighth trial, when the lead made it possible to drive with more caution. The tortuous paved roads that are typical of the Madeira race were not a problem for the Grande Punto, even when rain surprised the teams during today’s second and fourth speed trials.

The Grande Punto driven by 20-year-old Umberto Scandola and Gigi Pirollo has also performed well, competing in the International Rally Challenge, thanks to an initiative for young drivers promoted by Aci-CSAI: Scandola is currently in seventh place, having driven an excellent race, constantly attacking the leaders.

The first leg concludes this evening at the end of the 10th special speed trial. The second and last leg will be run tomorrow, Saturday August 5, with the final 9 special speed trials, for a total of 469 km (133 km timed). The rally will conclude in Funchal at 6.22 pm local time (7.22 pm in Italy).

Turin, August 4, 2006

Vinho da Madeira Rally placings after 8 special speed trials:

1. Basso-Dotta (Fiat Grande Punto) 1h17'31"; 2. Jean Joseph-Boyere (Renault Clio) + 59.9"; 3. Araujo-Ramalho (Mitsubishi) + 1'04.9"; 4. Peres-Silva (Mitsubishi) + 1'32.1"; 5. Magalhaes-Grave (Peugeot 206) + 1'40.1"; 6. Freitas-Figueiroa (Renault Clio) + 2'13.8"; 7. Scandola-Pirollo (Fiat Grande Punto) + 2'19.3"; 8. Campos-Magalhaes (Subaru) + 2'19.8"; 9. Lopes-Henriques (Citroen C2) + 2'23.3"; 10. Garcia Ojeda-Barrabes (Peugeot 206) + 2'23.9"