06.05.2004 Fiat Punto Abarth drivers Paolo Andreucci & Giandomenico Basso will again be in giant killing mode this weekend as the Italian series hits the dirt roads of Gallura

This weekend, on the Costa Smeralda Rally, the Fiat Punto Abarth and drivers Paolo Andreucci and Giandomenico Basso will defend their lead in the Italian Rally Championship Makes and Drivers' title races.

The Sardinian rally is the fourth of the season and it will be run from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 May on the dirt roads of the Gallura district.

The situation in the Drivers' championship after the first three races (Tutta Terra Toscana, Ciocco and Mille Miglia) sees Paolo Andreucci in the lead, in a Fiat Punto Abarth of the Procar team, thanks to a win at the Ciocco Rally, and second place at the Mille Miglia, while Giandomenico Basso (who won the Mille Miglia with a Trico team Punto) is tied in second place with Navarra (Subaru). Fiat also leads the Makes title, with 48 points, from Subaru (47) and Mitsubishi (26).

The two Fiat Punto drivers are therefore about to compete in a race that could give them useful points to extend their lead and confirm their position in the championship, even if on paper the Sardinian dirt roads favour cars with four-wheel drive. The main factor in the Punto Abarth's favour remains its great reliability: in the three races so far (one on dirt and two on tarmac) neither car has had to retire or complained of mechanical problems.

The line-up at the Costa Smeralda will also include the Fiat Punto Abarths of Stefano Bizzarri from Tuscany and Matteo Gamba from Bergamo (Procar team), young Alessandro Bettega (Grifone Team Avvenire) from Trento and Leon Pesticcio from Wales (Hi-Tec team). These drivers are competing in the Fiat Punto Abarth Trophy, held under the umbrella of the Italian championship, which is led by Bizzarri, while Gamba, Bettega and Pesticcio dispute the lead in the Under 27 category.

The 23rd Costa Smeralda Rally will start with a prologue (at 9 p.m. on this evening in Olbia), two legs and 16 special speed trials, for a total of 855 km (201 km timed), starting and finishing in Porto Cervo. On Friday the race starts from Olbia, at 7 a.m. and terminates in Porto Cervo at 8.07 p.m.. The concluding leg starts at 7 a.m. on Saturday and terminates at 4.50 p.m.

Italy Rally Championship for Makes:
1. Fiat 48 points; 2. Subaru 47; 3. Mitsubishi 26; 4. Renault 19; 5. Citroen 18; 6. Peugeot 9.

Italian Drivers' Rally Championship:
1. Andreucci (Fiat Punto) 43; 2. Navarra (Subaru) and Basso (Fiat Punto) 28; 4. Longhi (Subaru) 27; 5. Dallavilla (Renault) 19; 6. Rossetti (Citroen) 18.

Overall leader board Fiat Punto Abarth Trophy:
1. Bizzarri 16; 2. Gamba 14; 3. Bettega 9; 4. Pesticcio 6.

Under 27 leader board Fiat Punto Abarth Trophy:
1. Gamba 14; 2. Bettega 9; 3. Pesticcio 6.