Following the success of the inaugural Fiat Stilo Rally
Cup UK single make rally championship in 2004, the series
is back for 2005. Now called the Fiat Rally Cup, the 3
door Fiat Stilo will continue to provide the platform
for this exciting manufacturer-backed rally
championship. As in 2004 the 187bhp cars will follow
seven rounds of the Kwik Fit Pirelli British Rally
Championship, having missed just the Ulster Rally in
2004, the series starts on this weekend’s Pirelli
International Rally for the 2005 season.
The
winner of this year’s Fiat Rally Cup will pocket £2000
and with it the prestigious title of Fiat Rally Cup
Champion 2005. The substantial event prize fund will
continue with first, second and third placed drivers
taking £500, £300 and £200 respectively on each rally.
The rallies are a challenging mix of gravel and asphalt
visiting England, Scotland, the Isle of Man and Northern
Ireland kicking off with the daunting stages of Kielder
forest.
2004
champion Tom Metcalfe will rejoin the fray, defending
his position against three other contenders. He will be
partnered by co-driver Howard Pridmore, who will pass on
his valuable experience to the Dumfries based youngster.
Welshman Leon Pesticcio, who led the Fiat assault on
Wales Rally GB in 2004, will add the Pirelli to his
varied programme in 2005. He and regular co-driver Tim
Sturla will compete in the Italian National Championship
along with a yet to be announced World Championship
programme.
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Now called the Fiat Rally Cup, the 3 door Fiat Stilo will continue to provide the platform
for this exciting manufacturer-backed rally
championship and as in 2004 the 187bhp cars will follow the
Pirelli British Rally Championship |
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Following
the success of the Fiat Stilo Rally Cup, the single
make rally championship in 2004, the series is back
for 2005 |
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Alessandro Bordignon may still take up the
challenge, travelling from Italy for the classic Kielder
stages. He has been a regular in the Trofeo Stilo, the
Italian version of the Fiat Rally Cup, so should go well
in what will be familiar machinery.
Having
taken the new Formula 2000 crown in the 2004 BRC, the
Stilo drivers will be keen to add this to their trophy
haul at the 2005 awards ceremony. The category is part
of the simplified scoring system and last year’s winner
Shaun Woffinden will be trying to defend his F2000
title.
“I contested the International Rally of Wales as
a warm-up for the season,” he commented, “and the car
ran faultlessly.” He added, “It will be good to see how
competitive the Stilos are against the other F2000
runners throughout the season, but our main concern will
be to improve on last year’s second place in the Fiat
one-make series.”
The
rally starts from Carlisle City centre at 18.30 on
Friday with seven stages over 46 miles. Centralised
service is at Hadrian’s Camp to the East of Carlisle and
the P Zero Super Special stage will be well signposted
from the City. The event concludes on Saturday with a
further 11 stages over 78 miles, finishing back in
Carlisle at around 18.15.
All the
competitors are champing at the bit to get the Fiat Auto
(UK) supported 2005 Fiat Rally Cup under way and the
Pirelli International Rally will be a fitting start to
another great season. |
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