01.10.2004 The new Fiat Panda 4x4 has been chosen as the official car for the 1st Rally Italia Sardinia, the Italian event in the World Championship, which started today from Porto Cervo

The new Fiat Panda 4x4 has been chosen as the official car for the 1st Rally Italia Sardinia, the Italian event in the World Championship, which started today from Porto Cervo. Thirty cars will be used by the organizers during the rally’s three legs.

The Panda 4x4 was chosen, as it was best suited to the rough conditions of this rally, with special stages on dirt roads. It is vital for timekeepers and marshals to be able to depend on a vehicle capable of tackling poor grip conditions easily.

This is an important test for the new four wheel drive Fiat, which will also be on display throughout the rally at the accommodation centre-service park in Olbia.

The Rally Italia Sardinia is the 13th event in the World Rally Championship and the 6th in the Junior World Championship.

The latter is reserved for drivers under 28 years of age, and will see six Fiat Punto Abarths in action, driven by Italian drivers Alan Scorcioni, Luca Tabaton and Luca Betti, San Marino born Alessandro Broccoli, Frenchman Mathieu Biasion and the Spaniard Xavier Pons.

In addition to these teams, but not competing in the championship, is the Fiat Punto Abarth driven by reigning Italian Champion Paolo Andreucci. This rally is an opportunity for him to put his car thoroughly to the test on dirt roads, after having already proven that it is one of the sturdiest and most reliable cars available.

Two more Fiat Punto Abarths, which are not competing in the Junior World Championship, will also be participating, driven by Italian Nicola Caldani and the Finn Aki Teiskonen.

The Rally Italia Sardinia consists of three legs and 19 special stages, for a total of 1,230 kilometres, 380 of which timed trials. The starting ceremony took place yesterday at Porto Cervo at 20:00, and the first leg started today from Olbia at 08:30.The rally ends on Sunday at 16:45 (Porto Cervo).