italiaspeed.com

Intercontinental Rally Challenge 2WD Cup leader Marco Cavigioli has vowed to fight back and continue his title challenge to the end after being forced to retire from the Rally Principe de Asturias after a bizarre incident on SS7 yesterday.

Cavigioli, in his Fiat Punto Diesel, slid off the road on a slippery section of the stage, but did not damage his car. However, when he was reversing back onto the road he cracked the radiator, which instantly drained it of water.

"I couldn't believe it," said the Italian, who had a five-point lead of the IRC 2WD Cup standings heading into this event. "Although I went off, the damage to the car was absolutely zero. It's ironic that this happens when I'm getting back onto the road, particularly as I was doing it as carefully as I could. I tried to fill the radiator back up with water, but it drained out as fast as I could put water in - so it soon became clear that my rally was over. It's just not been my year so far!"

Prior to the incident, Cavigioli had been going extremely well, posting the second-fastest split time of all the 2WD runners. Nonetheless, the Italian has vowed not to give up on his title hopes. "We're still in a strong position and there are three rallies to go," he said. "If necessary, we'll be at the start for the last round in China if that's what it takes to wrap up the title."

Another 2WD Cup favourite, the Honda Civic Type R R3 of Alessandro Bettega, also disappeared on the opening leg, the Italian stopped with an alternator problem after the opening stage making him the first retirement of the day. With Caviglioli also dropping out this left Peugeot 206 XS driver Miguel Arias leading the IRC 2WD Cup overnight from the similar car of Alberto Monarri. Fiat's hopes of 2WD manufacturers' points now rest with local driver Manuel Villa (Punto S1600) who is in 6th place overnight, 3m 02s off Arias.