CITROEN TOP DRIVERRALLY ITALIA SARDEGNA21/22 JUNE 2013

Rally Italia-Sardegna, the second round of the Citroen Top Driver series, also marks the seasons halfway stage in the World Championship. And with just a few days to go before a well-deserved summer break, there may well be a holiday feel to the event. However, the ten Top Driver crews competing in the rally in their DS3 R3s will certainly not be looking to take it easy just yet. Everyone will be pushing and Bryan Bouffier, Sebastien Chardonnet and Quentin Gilbert will be using every ounce of their talent to hold onto the top positions in the standings of the Citroen formula.

Contested in the north east of Sardinia and based in Olbia, the Italian event has been brought forward to the start of the summer, having been held in October in 2012. Featuring a total of 305 kilometres of timed sections in sixteen special stages, the format for this years event is very different. The entire rally is packed into two long days racing on the Friday and Saturday, with no stage longer than 32 kilometres. The Citroen Top Drivers leading crews will therefore need to demonstrate considerable strength and concentration on the events tricky, winding roads, which can also be rock-strewn and rutted in places, meaning punctures can be easily picked up.

Since its opening round at Rally de Portugal, this international challenge set up by Citroen Racing has grown in stature since it now boasts ten crews competing in DS3 R3s and four teams contesting the title. The truly international series features teams from the former corners of Europe. For the time being, the French drivers lead the way as they currently hold the top three positions in the standings. Championship leader Bryan Bouffier will start as the favourite in Italy. He made the most of his extensive experience to win in style on his first appearance in the Algarve.

I have competed in Rally Italia Sardegna only once before, in 2007, and it was in a Citroen C2 R2 Max, recalled the man from the Drome. It was a great rally, with narrow, winding roads which can sometimes break up. It was also very hot and well probably get the same weather this year. Obviously, my aim is to finish on the podium because I need to record a good result if Im to have a chance of competing in Finland. But I saw just how high the standard was in Portugal, so I know it wont be easy.

Bryan Bouffier is right to worry, given the eagerness of the two young French drivers on his shoulder in the standings. Sebastien Chardonnet (current leader of the WRC3 category following his win at Rallye Monte Carlo) and Quentin Gilbert (winner of the 2012 France Citron Racing Trophy) begin the rally with the same desire to win.

For Sebastien, the goal is clear: We are going to Sardinia with the same objective, to score good points. Our performance level on the gravel in Portugal was reassuring but we also saw just how stiff the competition was. We took part in Rally Adriatico a few weeks ago, and we ended up winning the two-wheel driver category in the DS3 R3. The race also gave us with a chance to work on some of the areas where we came up a little short in order to win in the Algarve. Although weve never competed in the Rally Italia Sardegna before, we are just going to give our very best to try and win the race.

We really cant wait to start racing, commented the man from the Vosges region, Quentin Gilbert. Although I havent competed here before, I know that Im going to enjoy it because driving on the same roads as the World Rally Championship is fabulous and very rewarding. Our goal is the same as ever: make it to the end and, if possible, finish on the top step of the podium whilst avoiding the mistakes made in Portugal. Well have to be fast, consistent and keep out of trouble.

The three leaders are therefore all highly motivated, but are equally aware of the danger posed by some of the other crews, starting with Alastair Fisher and Keith Cronin. Whilst one was hampered by a technical problem and the other went off, the pace of the two drivers from the British Isles could clearly be seen in Portugal, as they claimed half of the stage wins at the rally between them. Unfortunate at the first event, Christian Riedemann, Francesco Parli, Simone Campedelli and Federico Della Casa will all be determined to improve here and will be starting at a frenetic pace. Finally, another promising new driver is set to throw his hat into the ring. Frenchman Stphane Consani enters the Citron Top Driver series with lofty ambitions.

In the teams standings, Top Teams leads the way, followed by Delta Rally Team and Sainteloc Racing. Currently lying fourth, Charles Hurst Citroen Belfasts strong line-up will give it a good chance of moving up the standings. Two new teams will also be making their first outing: BP Racing and Gema Racing Team. As each will only be entering one driver at this event, they will not however be able to score points towards the teams championship.

The rally gets underway on Thursday, 20 June with the shakedown, staged towards the end of the morning. The ten Citroen Top Driver crews will then take part in a media training session before heading for Sassari for the ceremonial start, which is due to begin at 7pm.