With the opening of registrations for the Italian Absolute Rally Championship (CIAR) and the Italian Historic Rally Championship (CIRAS), the excitement is building for two of Italy’s most prestigious rallies in the Ponente Ligure region.
The 71st Rallye Sanremo and the 39th Historic Sanremo Rally o, along with the 38th Coppa dei Fiori Regularity Event, are now in full swing as the organizational wheels turn. As of Tuesday, September 17, registrations are open for both the CIAR-Sparco event and the Historic Rally, which also carry continental significance as part of the European Rally Trophy (modern) and FIA European Historic Championship (historic).
Competitors have until Wednesday, October 9 to register for the legendary events. From Thursday, October 17, the action will converge in Sanremo as crews prepare for two days of fierce competition. The 71st Rallye Sanremo will take place on Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19, while the 39th Sanremo Rally Storico will run across Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. The long weekend of rallying will come to a close with the prize ceremony on Sunday, October 20, at 5:45 PM, on the podium in Corso Imperatrice, under the watchful eye of the iconic Casino Municipale.
Last year’s 70th Rallye Sanremo saw Giandomenico Basso and Lorenzo Granai (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo) claim victory with a time of 1:10’35″5, followed by Boštjan Avbelj and Damijan Andrejka (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo) at 47″3 behind. Nicola Sartor and Lorenzo Mattucci (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) completed the podium, finishing 1’24″1 adrift.
In the 38th Sanremo Rally Storico, Lucio Da Zanche and Daniele De Luis (Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0) took the top spot with a time of 1:32’42″7, followed closely by Marty McCormack and Barney Mitchell (BMW M3) just 46″8 behind. Gianfranco Cunico and Luigi Pirollo (Porsche 911 SC RS) rounded off the top three, 1’02″2 off the lead.
For official event details and registration, visit: www.rallyesanremo.it.