Giandomenico Basso will be heading to Madeira at the beginning of next month looking for a repeat win as the Abarth team really ratchets up the pressure in the race for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) titles. The inclusion of Basso, the reigning IRC and FIA European Rally Championship, has come as a surprise with the Rali Vinho da Madeira now less that two weeks away. It makes perfect sense though as he his an island 'specialist' and it clearly demonstrates Abarth's commitment to the IRC drivers' and manufacturers' titles.

After four rounds of the IRC, Abarth's no1 driver Andrea Navarra has built up a decent 7-point lead in the drivers' title hunt, while in the manufacturers' cup Abarth has just drawn level at the top of the series standings, thanks to Anton Alen's superb victory in Russia ten days ago. However Navarra is an acknowledged gravel specialist and will be uncomfortable on the fast, twisty tarmac seen on Madeira. He wouldn't necessarily be expected to finish in front of his Super2000 Peugeot rivals, Nicolas Vouilloz and Enrique Garcia Ojeda.

Basso though, who this year is contesting the Italian Rally Championship (CIR) at the wheel of the Super2000 Grande Punto Abarth, won in an imperious fashion last year in Madeira. And the previous year Basso had been racing to a certain victory on the island as he chased the European title until his Fiat Punto S1600 suffered mechanical problems on the very last stage, robbing him of the win. Basso, who comfortably won the last round of the CIR, the Rally San Martino do Castrozza, ten days ago to extend his title advantage to 5 points, has immediately been pitched in as Madeira's overall favourite to win. Not only will the Italian tarmac specialist be able to target grabbing maximum manufacturer points for Abarth on the Atlantic island but he will also be expected to take vital drivers' series points away from the two factory Peugeot drivers.
 

At yesterday's official presentation of the 48th Rali Madeira da Vinho in Empresa de Cervejas da Madeira, 92 drivers, 11 of them FIA B drivers, were announced. "Few races can be proud of such an entry list, for a competition we expect to be very tight and with a fight for the victory among many drivers until the very end," said Paulo Fontes, chairman of the organising committee. He thinks the 48th edition of the Rally will be unforgettable: "We are already the major social and sports annual event held in the Region. We will be now the major Portuguese sports event in terms of media coverage in 2007. I am sure of that," he added during the presentation of the event which was attended by all the sponsors. To back up his words, he demonstrated figures: eight and a half hours on the Eurosport TV channel, including one and a half hours live, and images broadcast to 57 countries by the ERC press team.

As well as Basso it has been revealed that Gilles Panizzi and François Duval, two drivers who will bring even more emotion and competitivity to the event have been confirmed. The programe of the 48th edition is just like the previous one. It means therefore, three days of competition, with a total of 937 km, 285 of them being timed in special stages. There will be two legs with eight sections and 19 stages. The first leg has 10 stages, while the second one has 9 stages. Technical and documents scrutineering will be on the 2nd August, between 7.30 and 11.30 in Madeira Tecnopolo. The departure ceremony will take place on the same day in Avenida Arriaga next to the Sports Madeira building, starting at 17.37. The prize giving will be again on Funchal harbour and assistance park will also be on Pontinha, but in the old containers park.