IRC: Interwetten Rally Sanremo stage seven notes

Franz Wittmann/Bernhard Ettel after seven special stages of Rally San Remo in IRC ranking in very good 18th place, which means another six places up today On special stages 5 and 6 the Interwetten driver even reached the fastest ...

Franz Wittmann/Bernhard Ettel after seven special stages of Rally San Remo in IRC ranking in very good 18th place, which means another six places up today

On special stages 5 and 6 the Interwetten driver even reached the fastest non-S2000-car times with places 17 and 19

On yesterday's "royal" special stage over 44 kilometres the Interwetten Racing Team even reached excellent second place among the Mitsubishis

At the "Rally Sanremo" yesterday, late at night, Franz Wittmann/Bernhard Ettel already gave a brilliant performance on the 44 kilometres long special stage four in Cuori. Thereby the two Austrians managed to reach the second-best Mitsubishi-time which meant intermediate place 24 prior to today's final leg.

"It was a real hellride at this orgy of turns. But I actually felt right at home and thus attacked accordingly. Only during the middle part I drove a bit more cautiously so as not to risk dropping out. After all, our goal here is to cross the finishing line and therefore to get to know all special stages. And I was especially happy that I was only 9 seconds slower than Italian Mitsubishi local hero Fabio Gianfico. After all I thereby left Simone Campedelli in my wake, as well. At the longest special stage of my career the fitness factor was rather decisive," explained Franz Wittmann.

This morning three further special stages had been scheduled. Here Franz Wittmann/Bernhard Ettel showed themselves from their best side. On the two long stages with a length of 28, respectively 29 kilometres they managed to be best non-S2000-car by reaching 17th, respectively 19th place.

"I was at the absolute limit during these two stages. It was real fun. That I managed to be ahead of all Italian local heroes was a satisfaction in itself. Now I hope that I'll finish these two special stages that will be completed once more in the afternoon just as well once more," said the highly motivated Interwetten Racing driver

At the top the lead changed twice today - once Andreucci was up front, then Rossetti and currently the overall leader in the IRC ranking, Kris Meeke, is ahead.