The countdown is on for the start of Rally d’Italia Sardegna 2007.  On Thursday 17 May, the best drivers in the world and their cars will commence shake down, which is the last time chance they have to set up their cars.  As always, on Thursday at 8.00pm, the start ceremony will take place at the beautiful and scenic Marina Vecchia in Porto Cervo. The drivers, in their cars will drive over the official start ramp in front of dignitaries and the world’s media. 
The rally will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and the fastest driver will be crowned winner of the seventh round of the World Rally Championship.  The fastest in the Junior’s category will be crowned winner of the third round of the FIA Junior Rally Championship.  Below are the rally statistics for the Italian round.

 RALLY D’ITALIA SARDEGNA STATISTICS

Total length: 1061.84km
Number of special stages: 18 (9 repeated twice)
Competitive Distance: 342.86km
Surface: Gravel
Longest special stage: 31.13 km (Crastazza ss 1 and 4)
Maximum special stage elevation : 1.020 metres in ss 8 and 11 (Monte Lerno)
Service Park: Porto Industriale di Olbia
Shakedown : Monte Plebi 2.95km 
Start ceremony: Marina Vecchio di Porto Cervo on 17 May at 8pm
Official Start: Friday 18 May at 8.30am.
1^st Leg: Friday 18 May (6 special stages, 145.40km of competitive distance)
2^nd Leg: Saturday 19 May (6 special stages, 142.72km of competitive distance)
3^rd Leg: Sunday 20 May (6 special stages, 54.74 km of competitive distance)
Official Finish and Prize Giving: Sunday at 2.30pm at Porto Cervo.

 THE STARS OF RALLY D’ITALIA SARDEGNA

CITROEN TOTAL WRT                                      
1 Sebastien Loeb (F) 26.02.1974            1999                             88 rally starts /32 victories
2 Daniel Sordo (E) 2.05.83                     2003                             35 rally starts /0 victories

BP-FORD WRT
3 Marcus Gronholm (FIN) 5.02.68           1989                           141 rally starts /26 victories
4 Mikko Hirvonen (FIN) 31.07.80             2002                            58  rally starts / 2 victories

OMV KRONOS CITROEN WRT
5 Manfred Stohl (A) 7.07.72                   1991                           117 rally starts / 0 victories
6 Daniel Carlsson (S) 29.06.76               1999                            44 race starts / 0 victories

SUBARU WRT
7 Petter Solberg (N) 18.11.74                 1998                          115 rally starts /13 victories
8 Chris Atkinson (AUS) 30.11.79             2004                            41 rally starts / 0 victories

STOBART VK M-SPORT
9 Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN) 3.04.85            2002                          43 rally starts / 0 victories10 Henning Solberg (N) 8.01.73                  1998                           47 rally starts / 0 victories
     
MUNCHI'S FORD
11 Luis Perez Companc (RA) 2.01.72      2001                            23 rally starts /0 victories
12 Juan Pablo Raies (RA) 20.11.70         1992                            12 rally starts / 0 victories

 The 2007 Podium Results

RALLYE OF MONTECARLO
15-21 January 2007
Results:
1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen C4) in 3h10'27"4
2. Sordo-Marti (Citroen C4) a 38"2
3. Gronholm-Rautiainen (Ford Focus) a 1'22"8

 
SWEDISH RALLY
8-11 February 2007
Results:
1. Gronholm-Rautiainen(Ford Focus) in 3h08'40"7
2. Loeb-Elena (Citroen C4) a 53"8
3. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Ford Focus) a 1'41"5

RALLY DI NORVEGIA
16-18 febbraio 2007
Results
1. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Ford Focus) in 3h28'17"0
2. Gronholm-Rautiainen (Ford Focus) a 9"5
3. H.Solberg-Menkerud (Ford Focus) a 3'44"6

RALLY OF MEXICO
9-11 March 2007
Results:
1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen C4) in 3h 48'13"3
2. Gronholm-Rautiainen (Ford Focus) a 55"8
3. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Ford Focus) a 1'27"7

RALLY OF PORTUGAL
29 March - 1 April 2007
Results:
1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen C4) in 3h 53'33"1
2. P.Solberg-Mills(Subaru Impreza) a 3'13"9
3. Sordo-Marti (Citroen C4) a 5'05"3

 
RALLY OF ARGENTINA
29 March - 1 April 2007
Results:
1. Loeb-Elena (Citroen C4) in 2h 52’03”8
2. Gronholm-Rautiainen (Ford Focus) a 36”7
3. Hirvonen-Lehtinen (Ford Focus) a 2'15"2