Paolo Andreucci Anna Andreussi and Peugeot 208 T16 R5 lead day one of the 4th Rally Roma Capitale

Peugeot Italia’s crew closed only five tenths ahead of the Skoda Fabia R5 of Scandola and D’Amore.  Basso and Granai, Ford Fiesta R5, unlucky and slowed down by electric issues at halfway through when in the lead

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Rome, 23 September 2016 - A Good and tough race, one that challenged heavily men and cars. The 4th Rally Roma Capitale, valid as seventh of the eight races of the Italian Rally Championship, gave its first verdicts and a lot of twists. Paolo Andreucci and Anna Andreussi got the full haul on Peugeot 208 T16 R5, leading Umberto Scandola and Guido d’Amore, Skoda Fabia R5 by half a second and Giandomenico Basso and Lorenzo Granai, Ford Fiesta R5 by 33’’1. The difficult day that featured three loops on the Bellegra “Vittelia” and Rocca di Cave “Tito Livio” stages and two of the Rocca S.Stefano “Rocca D’Equi”, saw Giandomenico Basso and his Ford taking an early lead. The Italian driver kept the lead until stage five of the ten scheduled for Day 1 before giving the lead away due to a sudden stop of their Ford Fiesta R5, that remained still in the stage for about twenty seconds. Paolo Andreucci got the lead on Peugeot 208 T16 R5 as he was close to the classification leader, and took the lead in the CIR’s absolute classification.

The Tuscan driver showed a great shape thereafter, keeping the lead and fending off Umberto Scandola who nearly managed to get past Andreucci in the finale, stopping half a second short in the spectacle stage at Colosseo Quadrato.  The tough battle has also reflected in the victory tally, with Paolo Andreucci taking five wins, Basso three and Scandola two.

Behind the top three, Alessandro Perico and Mauro Turati, Peugeot 208 T16 R5, and Gabriele Ciavarella with Daniele Michi, follow with a bit of delay, both also competing for the Rally Asphalt Trophy. The driver from Bergamo has had a strong day despite being at the debut in this rally. Michele Tassone and Alice De Marco, also run a strong day, despite this being their first time on these streets. In the Asphalt trophy they closed seventh on another Peugeot 208 T16 R5. Simone Campedelli and Danilo Fappani were hit by bad luck on the GPL Ford Fiesta R5 that was slowed down by a wrong tyre choice and in the closing stage they lost a wheel slipping down to P9.

A good battle has also been fought in the Italian Rally Junior Championship, where Giuseppe Testa led Marco Pollara by only 5 tenths. In the women trophy, Corinne Federighi, Renault Clio R3C, run a strong race and is motivated to keep the classification lead ahead of rival Beatrice Calvi, Peugeot 208 R2.

In the Italian R1 Championship, Renato Travaglia has been the quickest on the Suzuki Baleno SR. In the Suzuki Rally Trophy, Stefano Martinelli has been the quickest on the Swift R1, while in the Renault trophies, Luca Panzani led the Clio R3T proceeding Kevin Gilardoni; while Riccardo Canzian had the upper hand in the Twingo R1.

The final verdict is expected for tomorrow with day 2. Five stages will be run tomorrow, with two loops on the Guarcino–Altipiani “Bonifacio VIII” (11,80 km) at 9:25 and 11:47 and on the Monte Livata “Caput Mundi” (21,35 km) at 10:09 and 13:31, that will be covered by ACI Sport’s live streaming in SS 12 (at 10:09). The second appointment available at acisportitalia.it is scheduled for 16.50 in Euroma2. The closing spectacle stage Monastero “San Speco” (8,75km) is scheduled for 14:57. The race will end at 17.01 with the prize ceremony at Euroma2 Shopping Experience. 

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CLASSIFICATION 4TH RALLY ROMA CAPITALE DAY 1: 1. Andreucci-Andreussi (Peugeot 208 T16 R5) in 49'50.6; 2. Scandola-D’Amore (Skoda Fabia R5) at 0.5; 3. Basso-Granai (Ford Fiesta R5) at 33.1;4. Perico-Turati (Peugeot 208 T16 R5) at 1'19.4; 5. Ciava-Michi (Ford Fiesta R5) at 1'39.2; 6. Re-Ciucci (Ford Fiesta R5) at 1'47.6; 7. Tassone-De Marco (Peugeot 208 T16 R5) at 1'48.1; 8. Di Cosimo-Francescucci (Skoda Fabia R5) at 1'58.7; 9.Campedelli-Fappani ( Ford Fiesta gpl) at 2’01.7; 10. Testa-Mangiarotti (Peugeot 208 R2B) at 4'58.8.

DRIVERS CIR CLASSIFICATION DAY 1: Andreucci 75 pts; Basso 74,75; Scandola 67; Campedelli 41,50; Perico 27.

CONSTRUCTORS CIR CLASSIFICATION DAY 1: Ford 99,25 pts; Peugeot 84,50; Skoda 61.

DRIVERS CIR JUNIOR CLASSIFICATION DAY 1: Testa 68,75 pts; Pollara 58,75; Calvi 38,5;Bernardi 33; Mazzocchi 30,50.

CIR ASPHALT TROPHY CLASSIFICATION DAY 1: Perico 43,50 pt; Tempestini 31,50; Campedelli 28,50; Rusce 23,75; Ciava 23; Tassone 12.