Italian Rally News

[Mirek]

That's true but it also depends on the support they will have from Abart. We'll see

[RS]

Any chances to see Basso/Rossetti (& Andreucci) on Sardinia, even though that is part of TRT and not CIR?

[RS]

Thank god for gravel races-there is Andreucci the one and the only, without competition.....

Rossetti is pretty handy on gravel too, but I believe the Punto is not as good on gravel as it is on (smooth) asphalt,

[Ondra WRC]

Piero Longhi test Peugeot 207 S2000 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgSxN...mbedded#at=269

[Ucci]

Piero Longhi test Peugeot 207 S2000 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgSxN...mbedded#at=269

Grande Pierino !!!
Watching this short video I'm surprised the way Longhi breaks-with his right foot!!! Isn't this an old-fashion way?? Or he uses this technique yust on circuits...
Nevertheless I'm happy for him-he has a top-car, behind him stands a very professional team, with a lot of experience, there is no doubt about his driving skills, so he will be able to attack Andreucci&Co....

[urabus-denoS2000]

Heh,I dont agree

He had a top car last year and also this year.I am starting to doubt his skills (better to say age)

[Barreis]

Maybe he's better in traditional (subaru) N4..

[Tom206wrc]

Well in France Julien Maurin had difficulties in the Skoda and was better in the Pug last year...so why not the same for Longhi ??? :

[Ucci]

Heh,I dont agree

He had a top car last year and also this year.I am starting to doubt his skills (better to say age)

About Longhi-Skoda Fabia S2000, few facts:
1. Before he made a debute with Fabia, he was sitting at home, doing nothing for more than half year, his competition was all the time behind the whell
2. Fabia was in the early stage of development (better not to think, how much informations got Andreucci from Peugeot Sport)
3. He did not drive a non-turbo car for more than ten years
4. He won his seecond race with Fabia-gravel rally around San Crispino (with some luck, Ucci had troubles, but victory is victory)

So, this is a short interpretation of story Longhi-Fabia. About his years: almost all top Italian drivers are about the same years: Andreucci, Travaglia, Longhi.
A bit younger generation are: Navarra, Cantamessa, Basso, Rossetti, Cavallini...
After those two groups the young guns are behind them, but generaly much to slow against veterans....
Yes, this year we will see the return of one true Italian legend-Franco Cunico-after he won easily last year Italian IRC with Focus WRC07, this year he will compete in CIR with privately enterd Punto S2000 (D'Ambra). And he is 53 years old, so Longhi is almost a young man compare to him...And I bet, Franco will stand on the winning stairs this season for many times. Old guy did not forget how to drive....

[Barreis]

It seems that Italians are not that inerested for entering into WRC.. It's so strong championship in Italy with more then 150 rallies per year..