Sanremo, 4 April 2014 - Giandomenico Basso, with the Tuscan co-equiper Lorenzo Granai, in the GPL powered Ford Fiesta R5 topped the charts of day one at the 56th Rallye of Sanremo. The second place was occupied by Umberto Scandola and Guido D'Amore, on Skoda Fabia Super 2000, that were 12"7s shy of the leaders. This are the two main contenders for the final victory of a rally that is still quite long. Six stages are yet to be run for a total of 121 timed km. The start of the decisive day is scheduled for 7.30 (local time) while the finish line is set for 19.54 in Via Adolfo Rava in Sanremo. The third position is currently held by Andrea Nucita, Peugeot 207 Super 2000, who is 52" off the pace of the leader with his co-equiper Giuseppe Princiotto. Good race so far for Andrea Perego, who is fourth on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, even if at more than 5' from the top. Alessandro Perico has been among the unlucky protagonists of the race as he had to stop due to the engine failure of his Peugeot 207 Super 2000, while Rudy Michelini despite fighting long for top positions with the Citroën Ds3 R5 – at the world debut – has later on been slowed down by the breaking of the gears lever.

In the Italian Rally Junior Championship, Giacomo Scattolon and Fabio Grimaldi top the charts after getting the lead in the second last stage on the Peugeot 208 R2 that managed to get past the twin car driven by Stefano Albertini. The latter went off track in the final stage of the day. In the Italian Production Championship Alex Vittalini is leading the pack on Citroën DS3 R3. The driver from Como is also leading the Citroën Racing Trophy.

Headline news were made by Paolo Andreucci and Anna Andreussi though as they have been stopped due to a problem to the engine cooling system on their new Peugeot 208 R5 Turbo 16 after nearly 60 consecutive race finishes

Absolute classification of the 56th Rallye Sanremo Day One: 1. Basso-Granai (Ford Fiesta R5) in 1:12'32.9; 2. Scandola -D'Amore (Skoda Fabia S2000) at 12.7; 3. Nucita-Princiotto (Peugeot 207 S2000) at 52; 4. Perego-De Luis (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X) at 5'01.6; 5. Scattolon-Grimaldi (Peugeot 208 R2) at 5'40.1; 6.Vittalini-Tavecchio (Citroen DS3 R3) at 6'32; 7. Michelini-Angiletta (Citroen DS3 R5) at 7'46.1.

In the picture on top: Giandomenico Basso and Lorenzo Granai on the GPL powered Ford Fiesta R5. Here, the current Italian Champion Umberto Scandola and Guido D'Amore on Skoda Fabia S2000<br><br>The Sicilians Andrea Nucita and Giuseppe Princiotto on Peugeot 207 S2000.