San Marino Republic 13 July 2012 – All according to plan at the end of the first leg of the 41st San Marino Rally, race organized by Fams, and valid for the Italian Rally Championship, for the Production Championship and for the Junior. Two protagonists awaited: Umberto Scandola, Skoda Fabia S2000, and Giandomenico Basso, Peugeot 207 S2000, and the two challenged each other throughout the day on the edge of seconds.

At the end Umberto Scandola and Guido D'Amore lead the way from Giandomenico Basso and Mitia Dotta. Third and not far from the two was Mauro Trentin , with his navigator Alice De Marco, with the latter not entered in CIR nor in the Gravel Trophy on his Peugeot 207 S2000. Fourth place for the home driver Daniele Ceccoli and his navigator Alessandro Biordi on Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X.

In the Gravel Trophy the battle involved the Tuscan Valter Pierangioli and the driver from Naples Fabio Gianfico both on Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX while behind them the driver from Brescia Luigi Ricci, on Subaru Impreza Sti, who is currently managing the race with a placing that is very important in the classification. The challenge is quite open in all classifications and tomorrow the two passages on the long and difficult stage of "Sestino" for about 40 timed Km could still change the classification.

Good performance by Paolo Andreucci, with Anna Andreussi at the notes, on Peugeot 208 R2, that were the first on the two wheeled drive cars and fourth in the CIR.

In the Italian Production Championship, Andrea Nucita, Citroen Ds3R3, is leading with determination and has a solid advantage on the rivals; in particular Ivan Ferrarotti is second and Alessandro Bosca is third, both on Renault Clio R3t. The Sicilian is also leading the classification of the Citroen Racing Trophy. Unlucky race for Simone Campedelli and Danilo Fappani, that were slowed down by a brakes problem and went off in the fifth stage "Rofelle".

Andrea Crugnola, Renault New Twingo, is leading the way in the Italian Junior Championship. The current classification leader proceeds Andrea Carella, second with 30 seconds penalty and experienced some electric problems on his Peugeot 208.

General Standings of day one of the 41st Rally San Marino: 1.U.Scandola-G.D'Amore (Skoda Fabia S2000) in 1:21'51.1; 2.G.Basso-M.Dotta(Peugeot 207 S2000) at 16.1; 3.Trentin -De Marco (Peugeot 207 S2000) at 1'03.9;4. D.Ceccoli- A.Biordi (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) at 3'54.9; 5.A.Perico-F.Carrara (Peugeot 207 S2000) at 3'56.6;6. V.Pierangioli - C.Bioletti ( Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) at 4'17.6; 7. F.Gianfico-R.Tolino ( Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) at 4'34.8; 8. L.Ricci-C.Pfister (Subaru Impreza) at 4'42.0; 9.l. Hoelbling-M. Grassi (Fiat Punto S2000) at 5'16.8;10. M.Tempestini-L. Baggio( Ford Fiesta S2000) at 5'25.5.

Information, commentary, pictures, videos and classifications on the official page of the Italian championship www.acisportitalia.it