12
April
2015
|
08:45
Europe/Amsterdam

Pirelli wins Sanremo Rally and monopolises historic rally podium

Multiple champions Paolo Andreucci and Anna Andreussi won the Sanremo Rally – round two of the Italian Rally Championship – in their Pirelli-equipped Peugeot 208 T16, having led from start to finish and setting fastest time on seven of the 10 stages. Sanremo, formerly a World Rally Championship fixture, is one of the most famous and demanding events held within Italy, featuring twisty mountain roads and changeable weather.

Andreucci triumphed for third time in Sanremo with Pirelli


Andreucci’s stage win on the epic Ronde test, run at night over 46 gruelling kilometres, was particularly significant. This underlined the strength and durability of Pirelli’s RX5D hard tyres for asphalt, used by all the Italian tyre firm’s leading runners. These drivers included former champions Luca Rossetti and Matteo Chiarcossi, who won the Production category in their Renault Clio R3T as well as the two-wheel drive class. Pirelli also equipped the winners of the Junior championship category for drivers under 25: Michele Tassone and Daniele Micchi, in a Peugeot 208 R2. Andreucci and Andreussi now lead the Italian Rally Championship overall by three points, in their quest to bag a ninth drivers’ title, while their Peugeot Italia team heads the manufacturers’ championship. Pirelli-equipped drivers also monopolised the podium on Sanremo’s popular historic event, using P7 Corsa Classic tyres. Sanremo counted towards the FIA European Historic Rally Championship as well as the Italian historic series. Matteo Musti and Francesco Granata won the rally in a Porsche 911 RS, just 2.9 seconds ahead of the Lancia Stratos driven by former F1 star Eric Comas. Sweden’s Mats Myrsell was third in a Porsche 911 RS, ahead of the Lancia Delta Integrale crewed by Massimo Pedretti and Emanuele Baldaccini, also running on Pirelli tyres. The latter crew finished first of the European championship runners. After winning Sanremo for the third time in his illustrious career, Andreucci said: “It’s always a pleasure to see your name on the trophy of such a prestigious rally. The 208 T16 is going from strength to strength, and so are the Pirelli tyres that equip it.” The next round of the Italian Rally Championship, the Rally dell’Adriatico from 1-3 May, takes place on asphalt – with Pirelli’s Scorpion rally tyres expected to play a key role.

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For further information about Pirelli please contact Anthony Peacock on +44 7765 896 930 or anthony@mediaticaworld.com