The Grande Punto Abarth, developed to conform to the generation of new Super2000 regulations which call for 2.0-litre normally aspirated engines, a stock four wheel drive transmission and limited electronics, has proved itself an instant rally winner. Despite a fabulous rallying record Fiat only has only two Rallye Monte Carlo wins to its name, the most recent of which came courtesy of Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdoffer in 1980, a result that began a steady march that year by the German rally star to the FIA World Rally Championship title.

After a 28-year absence from the winners’ circle, Abarth is set to challenge for victory again on the most famous rally of them all, the Rallye Monte Carlo, with the news that the legendary event, traditionally held in late January, is set to join the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) in 2009.

Despite a fabulous rallying record, Fiat has won just two of the 75 Rallye Monte Carlos conducted thus far. The first came in 1928, when Jacques Bignan led home Malaret to score a 1-2 finish; the second came courtesy of Walter Röhrl and Christian Geistdörfer in 1980, a result that began a march by the German star to the World Rally Championship title. However, sister Fiat Group Automobiles brand, Lancia, has an unmatched 13 wins on the rally, almost doubt that of its closest rival.

The possibility of another win on the Rally Monte Carlo came as Michel Boeri, the President of the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM), and Jacques Behar, President of Intercontinental Rally Challenge promoter Eurosport Events, announced at the ACM headquarters in Monaco that the Monte Carlo Rally will switch from its place in the FIA World Rally Championship to form part of the IRC in 2009. The Monte Carlo Rally will open the IRC series in January next year, at the start of a season that will take in between 10 and 12 rallies over three different continents.

René Isoart, the Clerk of the Course for the ACM, commented: “With the new alternation system put in place by the FIA, we looked at a number of possibilities in order to keep the organisation of the Monte Carlo Rally going. The IRC is the perfect solution.  In its debut season, this series has demonstrated all its dynamism, value and potential. The idea won us over, so we are very happy to join this intercontinental series in 2009 and benefit from some exceptional media coverage that highlights the fundamental values of rallying: a healthy majority of amateurs, some stunning landscapes, a diverse field, close competition, and the emphasis firmly on the talent of individual drivers and co-drivers.”

Jacques Behar added: “It’s a very big honour for the IRC to start the 2009 season with the Monte Carlo Rally, the most prestigious event in the history of this sport. We have put in place an innovative media strategy around the IRC, the objective of which is to bring rallying to the people, especially via live television. We are going to continue developing this coverage into the future, and we will be delighted to offer all the fans of the Monte Carlo Rally, as well as of sport and rallying in general, live international coverage of this legendary event through the Eurosport network.”

Fiat has been a close supporter of the IRC since its launch in 2006 when experienced Italian Giandomenico Basso won the inaugural title in the brand-new Super2000 category Fiat Grande Punto Abarth. For last year’s title bid, the cars were rebranded under the Abarth name as the famous Scorpion badge made a high-profile comeback. Shifting priorities caused by the recent arrival of a new CEO at Fiat, Lorenzo Sistino, has seen a slimmed-down factory rallying effort for this year, with Basso and Finnish youngster Anton Alén set to lead a two-car challenge for the IRC title.

Launched in 2006, the IRC is an international rally series authorised by the FIA and organised by Eurosport Events, a subsidiary of Eurosport Group that organises, promotes and develops sporting events all over the world.  During its first full season, the IRC took in nine rallies with the participation of six registered manufacturers. The IRC is broadcast live over the entire Eurosport Group network, but particularly on the pan-European channel Eurosport, which reaches 240 million viewers in 112 million homes across 59 countries.  The 2008 IRC calendar is : Istanbul Rally (4-6 April, Turkey)*, Portugal Rally (9-10 May), Ypres Westhoek Rally (27-28 June, Belgium), Rally Russia (11-12 July), Rally Vinho da Madeira (1-2 August, Portugal), Barum Rally Zlin (22-23 August, Czech Rep.), Principe de Asturias Rally (12-13 September, Spain), Sanremo Rally (25-27 September, Italy), Rallye du Valais (23-25 October, Switzerland), China Rally (7-9 November). *The Safari Rally, originally scheduled to start the season, was withdrawn due to the current political situation in Kenya and replaced with the Istanbul Rally.