Fiat finally returned 'officially' to the World Rally Championship, and in some style, on this weekend's Monte Carlo Rally when Mirco Baldacci, in a Super 1600 Punto Abarth, was right on the JWRC pace from the outset.

The significance of this occasion cannot be underestimated as Fiat trumpeted their long awaited rally return, although in the heat of the moment, they seem to have forgotten that JWRC entries cannot be undertaken 'officially' by factories, although Suzuki mask their fully fledged factory-supported effort by entering the junior series under the working title of 'Monster Team Europe'.

The 2005 Junior World Championship, which is reserved for the under-28 year old drivers, and Super 1600 class cars, is to be fought out over eight rallies. The Monte Carlo was the first round, and it is followed by a trip to Mexico, then the Sardinia Rally, the Acropolis, then off to Finland, Germany, the Tour de Corse and finally wrapping up the year with the Catalunya Rally.

The sight of the newly all-blue liveried Fiat Punto Abarth at the start ramp was manna from heaven for Fiat's many rally fans who have been brought up on a non-stop diet of rally success at the very highest levels.

The 2005-specification Punto Abarth now follows in the footsteps of legendary rally cars such as the immortal Fiat 131, a machine that won everything there was to win across the globe.

With a huge Abarth scorpion logo splashed right across the car's bonnet and both flanks, and 'Fiat' etched out proudly in bold red letters, it all adds up to a fearsome little rally car that screams out its aggressive intent through its bulging aerodynamic enhancements which include deeper bumpers, roofline air scoops, and a very chunky roof spoiler. Add in also its fat racing wheels, and its raucous and powerful, N-Technology tuned engine.

Add to this package Mirco Baldacci, one of the hottest young rally drivers round, with Giovanni Bernacchini once more alongside, the duo fresh from a year with the all-conquering Suzuki Junior team, and a palpable sense of excitement was in the air in Monte Carlo.
 

The opening test of the rally, the 22.93km Pierlas stage, saw drama for Baldacci and the N-Technology team as a puncture threw him right down the JWRC order as Per-Gunnar Andersson, in a factory-backed Suzuki Ignis, started the defense of his title by setting the fastest time.

However, it was on the 20.15km 'Toudan', stage two that Mirco Baldacci and the 2005-specification Fiat Punto Abarth proved that they would be a combination to be reckoned with this year: the young Sanmarinese driver storming the timesheets to set the fastest time. After that it went all wrong. A problem during rapid service available between stage two and stage three saw him exit 12 minutes late, handing him a two minute penalty. Then on stage three he crashed, forcing the team to abandon for the day as they set about carrying out repairs.

However the new FIA WRC 'SupeRally' rule now allows cars to rejoin the rally next day after being hit with a 5 minute penalty for each stage they failed to set a time on. With Baldacci not making it to the finish of SS3 after his accident, and having to miss the final encounter of the day, along with the earlier 2 minute penalty, he would start Saturday 12 minutes adrift of the JWRC pack.

Saturday saw Baldacci and the N-Technology team opt to run comfortably and consistently, as they aimed to get development miles under the car's belt and head towards a respectable finish. Once again he was hit by a puncture on the opening stage, but cranked the pace up as the day wore on, setting 5th fastest time on SS8, the second running of the 19.52km St. Antonin, and second fastest on SS9, the final loop of the 28.4km Les Sausses.

However with the 'temporary' retirement of Guy Wilks and reigning JWRC champion Per-Gunnar Andersson, the chance of a helping of championship points was up for grabs, and the decision was made to go for 'maximum attack' on the six closing Sunday stages.

After getting word about the retirement of his two rivals, Baldacci told Italiaspeed that evening, "I'm approaching the other Junior drivers in the rankings, I hope to continue to reduce the gap and sit in the points before the last stage".

Although he didn't in the end manage to grab any series points, Baldacci stormed through the final morning fastest of all the JWRC runners, posting three quickest stage times. At the front Kris Meeke in the Citroen C2 claimed the junior honours after a tense battle to the line with Suzuki's Kosti Katajarnaki.

The rally over, the all-new combination of Mirco Baldacci, the N-Technology team, and the Fiat Punto Abarth Super 1600, had instantly proved their rally-winning potential. In fact, take away the 12 minutes of time penalties that were imposed on Friday, and Baldacci would have claimed the JWRC win outright, despite two separate punctures. This point was especially relevant as the front runners battled all the way to the line, and there was no final day 'cruising' to the finish.

With Giandomenico Basso to undertake a European Rally Championship programme for Fiat this year, and Paolo Andreucci lining up for another stab at the Italian title, Fiat are back in rallying officially, and already programme is promising big things.

Report & Photos by Marco Tenuti