Only three flag bearers at the start but all capable of giving the rally team great satisfaction at the end of a Sebino rally that was particularly treacherous as it started in the wet on Sunday before moving on to dry, sun-drenched conditions.
It was the fulfillment of a dream, apart from a second place in the K10 class without shame and without praise, which the newcomer Giulio Rubini experienced for the first time behind the wheel of a Peugeot 106 Maxi Kit Car managed by SMD Racing and shared with Fabrizio Handel.
The driver from Este, four years removed from a modern car, beamed upon arrival.
“I haven’t sat in a modern car since Sebino in 2019,” says Rubini, “but in my last years I decided to get into cars that made rally history and left a mark in my heart.” passionately. The 106 Maxi was one of them and thanks to SMD Racing and the Rally Team I was able to make this dream come true. We knew we couldn’t compete with the best of the thousand and six, but the emotions we experienced on board this little bombshell were incredible. I will dream about it for many more nights.”
Undisputed dominance, more than a minute ahead of the first of his direct pursuers, for the tough Fabio Bertazzolo, as well as Michele Cussigh in the usual Citroen AX Group A.
The driver from Maserà di Padova put his signature on all five regularly held special stages and achieved great satisfaction in an event that was particularly close to his heart.
“I haven’t been to the AX since December last year,” says Bertazzolo, “because of the tank problem, which is known to everyone. We were cautious given the conditions on the first lap, but we already had a great time with the Cinturato on the Rogno. Since the AX is light at the back, these tires held it to the ground so we could push. In my opinion, Sebino is a wonderful event that has a little bit of everything to offer. Overall, I would have preferred to go a little further up, but after a longer break I’m almost satisfied.”
As for the 1060 production, Damiano Osti, flanked by Arianna Michelutti, put in another good performance in a Team Autocar Peugeot 106 Rallye Group N.
The only one who really worried the category winner was the third striker from Rosà’s team, who came second in N2 and was on the bottom step of the podium in the U25s.
“We started Rogno with a good pace,” says Osti, “and despite the cancellation of Val di Scalve, we kept pushing. In the second part of the race, in the dry, we were able to improve our times well and came significantly closer to first in class. We are very happy with the result we achieved in Sebino and close our 2023 in style. Many thanks to Team Autocar, Ales Menegol, Rally Team and our partners.”
