ALAN RING ON TARGET FOR FIA EUROPEAN HISTORIC PRE-2000 TITLE AT RALLYE SANREMO
Killarney driver Alan Ring is within touching distance of securing the FIA European Historic Rally Championship Category 5 Pre-2000 title following a gruelling opening leg at the 41st Sanremo Historic Rally.
Driving his Tom Gahan Motorsport-prepared Subaru Impreza 555 alongside Cork co-driver Adrian Deasy, Ring holds ninth position overall in the FIA EHRC standings at the end of Friday’s action.
More importantly, Ring holds a comfortable lead over his chief championship rival, Arnold van der Smeede (Ford Escort RS Cosworth), who sits over two minutes behind the Irish crew in 11th position overall.
If current positions hold through Saturday’s final two stages, Ring and Deasy will officially be crowned Category 5 FIA European Historic Rally Champions.
With a championship title on the line, the Kerry and Cork pairing admitted that finding the right balance between pace and caution was a mental battle throughout the day. The crew noted that finding a happy medium to ensure they finish the rally without backing off too much tested their concentration, knowing that simply bringing the Subaru across the finish ramp is vital!
The opening day across the Ligurian hills proved very challenging for the entire field. Morning fog blanketed the early stages, while traffic chaos on the road sections. caused by local buses blocking a transport route, created delays across the rally itinerary. Stage six was subsequently cancelled following a crash for home favourite Lucio Da Zanche in his Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.0.
Ring’s effort in Italy is backed by Tom Gahan Motorsport, with dedicated service crew members Mícheál, Adam, and Dan keeping the Impreza running smoothly.
There was heartbreak elsewhere for Irish and Welsh competitors on Friday morning. Killarney co-driver Shane Buckley and Welsh driver Tomas Davies suffered premature retirement due to mechanical woes en route to the opening stage. Paul McCann was also forced out early and was seen on the side of the road section near the start line of Stage 2.
Meanwhile, mother-and-son duo Will and Karen Graham lie tenth overall in their BMW M3 E30, enduring a bitter-sweet day after father and husband Ernie Graham and co-driver Robin Kellard crashed out earlier in the leg; both crew members were reported okay.
Welshmen Osian Pryce and Dale Furniss hold eighth overall in their Ford Escort RS1800 MkII as they build preparation for their own British championship title decider next weekend.
At the sharp end of the overall European standings, Frenchman François Delecour leads in his Peugeot 306 Maxi, holding a 29.6-second advantage over Maciej Lubiak’s Porsche 911.
Former WRC star Jari-Matti Latvala lies third in a Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD (ST185), with Freddy Loix fourth in a Toyota Corolla WRC and ‘Zippo’ rounding out the top five in a Subaru Impreza 555.
The European title will be decided on Saturday’s final two demanding special stages: the 14.70 km pass of Colle d’Oggia (Carpasio-Ville San Pietro) followed by the mammoth 24.83 km test through Caravonica-Rezzo. The ceremonial finish takes place at Pian di Nave in Sanremo at 5:10 pm.
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