IRC: Interwetten Rally Sanremo pre-event news

Franz Wittmann/Bernhard Ettel face the longest special stage of their career so far at the IRC-run in Sanremo

SS4 on Friday in Cuori leads over 44 kilometres and demands not only in-shape drivers but also special preparation

The main objective for the Interwetten Racing Team at the 51st Rally Sanremo is getting to know the stages and to complete them with as little fault as possible

Currently the official recce for this tarmac classic is still under way but on Friday morning the shakedown will commence and in the evening this IRC- run will be started at 18.00.

No less than 24 teams with an S2000 vehicle will be competing in the Italian "flower city" which makes speculations about a top place in the overall ranking rather superfluous. The two Austrians will take up the race as 27th car this time.

"I will simply try to be as fast as I can with my Mitsubishi Evo IX right from the beginning while making as few faults as possible. The rest will come on its own. During the recce so far I already realised that it will be a difficult challenge - also in regard to the overpowering competition, of course", says Franz Wittmann.

Overall, nine special stages with a length of over 200 kilometres are scheduled for Friday and Saturday. The longest special stage will only be started on Friday evening at 22.43 as SS 4 in Cuori and will lead over 44 kilometres. For Franz Wittmann/Bernhard Ettel, it is the longest stage in their careers so far:

"This stage is a true challenge but it is also extremely cool. It is a real orgy of turns and one can't relax for a second. One really needs to be in shape for this. In the lead-up to the rally I have worked out a lot to be really fit. We are not yet in the clear whether we will take along one or two spare tyres on this stage, in case of possible tyre damages. We will only decide shortly prior to the start", said the Interwetten Racing Pilot.

-credit: interwette