Miki Biasion,Sandro Munari, Markku Alen, Timo Salonen, Juha Kankkunen, Gilles Panizzi, Marcus Grönholm, Armin Schwarz,. This tiny part of the mindblowing entry-list to this year’s RallyLegend resembles the hall of fame of rallying and truly is a celebration of the sport. From 6th to 9th of October the beautiful island of San Marino will turn into rally-heaven.
Republic of San Marino. As always, the issuing of the provisional list of admitted crews and cars to the 14th edition of Rallylegend proves explosive. While waiting for the final entry list, the framework of the participants to the San Marino event has been drawn and has led to a climax the many enthusiasts who are ready to pacifically “invade” the Republic of San Marino, next 6th-9th October. The barrier of 160 entered crews is decisively broken through, once again. Rallylegend 2016 surprises for the many prestigious crews and the highly historically meaningful cars.
Many other rally aces add up to the already truly fantastic list of the announced champions, among which Kankkunen, Gronholm, Panizzi, Schwarz, Trelles, Navarra, Longhi, “Lucky” Battistolli and Hayden Paddon, the “star” of modern rallies.
Miki Biasion, two times world rally champion, is going to entertain among the Legend Stars category on a Lancia 037, Eberhard&Co “dressed”, with Gigi Pirollo at his side. A wide group of champions will gather in the Alitalia Parade, under the side event “When Alitalia used to fly in rallies” and the celebration of the 40 years of the Fiat 131 Abarth. Sandro Munari, Markku Alen and Timo Salonen, three real monuments of all times, will be right at the wheel of three “one-three-one”, with other two champions as Maurizio Verini and Mauro Pregliasco. In addition, for the “Alitalia celebrations” Cesare Fiorio, Daniele Audetto and Tony Carello will be of the party.
Graziano Rossi could not miss this edition either, and he will be at the start with his Bmw M3. Same for “Pedro”, fresh European champion of the Historic Championship and fighting for the Italian national title, too. He will drive a Lancia Delta 16V. The Sicilian ace Totò Riolo, will also come back on an Audi Quattro: he has won Rallylegend twice. Another prestigious presence is Chantal Galli, former Italian rally champion, with Donatella Statuto and the Lancia Delta. Female debut also for Shirley O’Hara Falcone with Lisa Abraham (Lancia Delta Integrale), representing the newly born Motorsport Federation of Antigua. Other two drivers will rally under the same flag, Carlo Falcone (Ford Focus Wrc) and Gianmaria Traversone (Lancia Delta S4)
Other important names are Manfred Pommer (Audi Quattro), European vice-champion of rallycross in 1995, Mauro Miele (Bmw M3), ex crosser of international level, Robert Whitehouse (Lancia 037) cinema producer of great success, Luca Pedersoli (Citroen C4 Wrc), excellent Italian gentleman driver, Paolo Baggio (Lancia 037).
Marco Bianchini (Lancia 037), Giuliano Calzolari and Paolo Valli with his Lancia Delta S4, head the many crews rallying at home in San Marino, where even three Colombinis rally: Denis, Marcello and Luca.
Big numbers for Rallylegend 2016. Out of 160 crews entered, about sixty are foreign (that is, from outside San Marino and Italy), coming from 18 different countries.
Car park of dreams, with all the liveries that have made the history of rallies. Lancia “deploys” 19 Delta Integrale in all versions, six specimen of 037 and five of S4, beyond two Stratos and one Fulvia. There will be eight Volkswagen Golf, which will be celebrated for their 40th anniversary from the debut in rallies. There will be five Audi Quattro, eight Ford Escort, nine spectacular Bmw M3 and Fiat 131 Abarth, and five Porsche in various models. An endless list of four-wheels-queens of rallies. Altogether, and with so many great champions driving them, you can only see them at Rallylegend.
Here’s our take on the action of last year’s event.