Tests in Sardinia

During the last few weeks, The WRC top teams of Citroen, Subaru and Ford have been in Sardinia to test their cars.
The official teams have found that the sardian gravel roads are perfect for their technical tests since 2004, when Rally d’Italia Sardegna was included in the World Rally Championship.

Since then, thanks to the quality of the tracks, the calm way of working, the hospitality of people and fans and the Logistic Rally Testing Sardinia Nicola Imperio’s professional skills, World Rally teams such as Peugeot, Subaru, Citroen, Skoda, Ford, Mitsubishi, Fiat, many private Teams and Tyres Manufacturers( BF Goodrich, Michelin, Pirelli) have chosen the Island to develop their cars (307, Impreza, XSara, C4, Fabia, Focus, Lancer, Grande Punto) and their tyres.
Tests have been also very important economically because they have been increasing the tourism in low-season, a fact very appreciated by tourist operator.

CITROEN. The French Team tested its C4 Wrc in Gallura at the beginning of March , then in April on the gravel roads near Oristano with Loeb and Sordo.
These tests have been made with precision, especially working hard on the C4’s attitude, for the next planned races on gravel tracks (Sardegna, Grecia) in the WRC programm.
At the end of the tests, Sebastian Loeb said that he wish “to win for the third time again”.
During the test the French Drivers met the students of the elementary and secondary school of Gonnosnò, a little village near Oristano. As usual, Loeb has been willing with his young fans, showing off his C4, and signing autographs.( Please see photo attached)

SUBARU. The test staff of Subaru has been on the Island for a week at the begin of April, in order to make development tests on new Impreza WRC2007 for next Rally d’ Italia Sardegna.
The test Driver Pasi Hagstrom drove the Impreza taking turns with the official drivers Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson, which was for the first time, with his new co-driver, the Belgian Stephan Prevot.
Petter Solberg said about new Subaru: “The Impreza WRC2007 is going better, step by step. It’s too early to fight for win, but we can think about the podium”.

FORD. The technical Ford Staff, leaded by the brilliant Belgian engineer Christian Loriaux , has been the last Top Team that tested its Focus Wrc in Gallura for the Rally d’Italia Sardegna.
At the middle of April the English team ran on the gravel roads of San Biagio, Canu, Aggius, Monte Moro, Luras e Osilo with the official drivers Marcus Gronholm and Mikko Hirvonen.
The team, managed by Malcom Wilson, seemed very motivated, the feeling was, that nothing has been left to chance to reach the podium here in Sardinia.
Gronholm didn’t hide his ambitions in the challenge for the world title. “ Now I’m just thinking to run, to beat Loeb here in Sardinia – said the Finnish driver- Last year I was leading, and I had to stop. This time, I want to win”.