Abarth enjoyed an assertive win in the two-wheel-drive category as well as an excellent ninth place overall place in last weekend’s 28th Rallye Villa de Adeje BP Tenerife thanks to the 124 Rally entered under the Abarth España banner and prepared by SMC Junior/Motorsport which was crewed by Spaniards Alberto Monarri and Rodrigo Sanjuán.
The narrow roads of the Atlantic tourist island played well to the capabilities of the Abarth 124 Rally allowing the Spanish team to secure a clear win in both the Two-Wheel Drive and R-GT categories, albeit in the latter they only had to reach the finishline as they were the only entrant.
This was the fourth round of the Campeonato de España de Rallyes de Asfalto 2018 (Spanish Asphalt Rally Championship 2018) and – thanks to his exploits that resulted in a maximum points score in Tenerife last weekend, Monarri, who also carries support from Mopar and IVECO on the car, is now leading the Drivers’ classification in the Spanish Two-Wheel Drive Trophy.
The 124 Rally didn’t face any competition in the R-GT category but amongst the two-wheel-drive cars after the #9 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup R which won the first three stages dropped out on the four, the Abarth machine, which had been succesffuly fending off the #17 Porsche 996 Cup R, was well placed to assume a mantle it wouldn’t relinquish over the remainder of the 14-stage/2-leg rally. Twenty-three cars would finish the rally which saw a high attrition rate.
By modifying its set-up, the driver made the car more efficient and increased his lead, winning nearly all the stages. "The balance was very positive after the first three races,” said Monarri afterwards. “We took the championship lead despite having skipped the first race of the series. The performance of our Abarth 124 Rally was superior to all the other two-wheel drive cars.”
