Gigi Galli and New P Zero Tyre: The Pirelli's Weapons in Corsica

Milan, 3 April 2006 - Just two weeks after Spain, the World Rally Championship goes back into action with the Tour de Corse/Rally of France, one of the historic events in this motor sport discipline, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Napoleonic island's rally is especially hard on all competitors, due to its tortuous route, which does not forgive even the smallest mistake. The Corsican roads are not only packed with corners and hairpins, they are also known for their often uneven and gravel-covered surfaces and debris at the sides of the carriageways, which can damage cars and tyres and be directly responsible for mechanical breakdowns and off-road excursions. On that basis, Pirelli Competizioni has armed itself well for this gruelling event, not only developing tyres specifically for the Corsica's roads and its changing climate, which is another factor characteristic of the Tour de Corse, but also by taking the special step of strengthening its presence with another competitive car. A Peugeot 307 WRC, driven by Gigi Galli with Giovanni Bernacchini, will join the works Subaru Impreza 2006s of Petter Solberg, Stphane Sarrazin and the 2005 Impreza WRC entered by the Subaru Rally Team Australia for Chris Atkinson. Paul Hembery, Director of Pirelli Competizioni, confirms that "Galli-Bernacchini will also compete in the same Peugeot 307 WRC, with its red and yellow Pirelli livery, in the Rally of Argentina at the end of April. Totally convinced of the quality and potential of its P Zero tyres, Pirelli wishes to demonstrate that, if the results achieved to date make for little enthusiasm, it is out of place and overly simplistic to say that lean period is due to a presumed performance downturn in its tyres. In addition, by taking this initiative Pirelli intends to act on a number of fronts. As well as pursuing its policy of supporting and promoting Italian talent, it will increase its chances of aiming for a top result, refine and verify the quality of its P Zero tyres for asphalt surfaces on the most severe test bench - rallying itself - convinced of the excellence of its products from both the competitive and tyre efficiency points of view on cars that are very different from each other, as in the case of the Subaru Impreza and the Peugeot 307 WRC". For more information and pictures on Pirelli's motorsport activities visit: www.pirellicompetizioni.com