The last commitment that foreshadows the summer break for Rally Sport Evolution and the recent weekend marked by a double front saw the protagonist of the Ranica Racing Team at the Rally di Roma Capitale with Cédric Cardi flanked by Gaëlle Dumont on a Peugeot 208 Rally4. Author of fourth place among two-wheeled vehicles in the Italian Absolute Rally Championship, but also eleventh place in RC4N and Rally4.
The Transalpine, which also counts for the FIA European Rally Championship, has scored important points, not only for a CIAR which now sees it in sixth place, but also for an Italian Rally Promozione Championship in which it is at the top seventh place.
“A very difficult but equally great rally” – says Cardi – “and it was not easy to measure, especially in the sections of the track where the key points were almost invisible.” We are satisfied with our performance, we have in teaching good times. It was easy to make mistakes but we were good at avoiding the tire trap. Impeccable car, very well tuned. Thank you to the team, our partners, families and friends for the support you have given us here and throughout 2023.”
From the three days that saw the spotlight across the continent from Friday to Sunday, to moving to the Parma area where a classic of the region took place, the Salsomaggiore Terme Rally.
Between Saturday and Sunday, the Ranica racing team fielded two Peugeot 208 Rally4s, the first of which finished fourteenth in its class with a Massimo Bottazzi, who together with Samuele Valzano improved his 2022 result.
“If we win the fifth round, I’ll be very happy,” says Bottazzi, “because I did better than last year despite the long break. For the first two it was nice to see so many fans whilst on Sunday I approached the stages with the right determination apart from a few hiccups. The team was outstanding and willing to cater to my every need. The track is beautiful, wide roads and a lot of dirt, so ideal conditions for a real rally.”
To join him a few notches up, tenth among the Rally4s, Fabio Vitali was with Harshana Ratnayake on a second Peugeot 208 Rally4, happy to have partially dispelled the ghosts of the past that stretches back to the Orobic Pre-Alps have. with a constant performance.
“We approached the race very calmly,” says Vitali, “because the goal was to finish with an intact car.” A beautiful 208, perfectly prepared. They weren’t quite right for me, but I’m happy to have regained some confidence after the bad game in Bergamo. When I look at the times, happiness drops a lot. Thanks to the team, to my navigator and to all the partners who are supporting us in our 2023 season.”
