The big guns of the IRC 2WD Cup will be out in force on Rallye Sanremo later today with defending champion Harry Hunt, current title leader Jean-Michel Raoux (pictured), and Sandro Sottile, who has won the IRC 2WD Cup section in Sanremo for the last two seasons in his Honda Civic Type R, all competing.
Stefano Albertini, the category winner on the last two rounds in Czech Republic and Hungary, will be capable of running at the front, as will Honda driver Martin Kangur and Italian Elwis Chentre, who switches to a ŠKODA Fabia R2.
Belgian Cedric Cherain and Frenchman Mathieu Arzeno will also be quick as will Pierre-Antoine Guglielmi, who won the IRC 2WD Cup section in Corsica back in May. A number of Fiat 500 Abarths will also be in action.
“The competition will be tough,” said Briton Hunt, who prepared for the event with a test in Italy on Monday. “Last year there was Sandro Sottile in a Honda Civic Type R. He lives on the stages and was very strong. Arzeno will be doing it and he’ll be strong as well. I’ll definitely push and go for a podium and be up there fighting. Winning is quite an ask because it’s such as specialist event – and there are quite a few specialists coming.”
Albertini said: “It’s my fourth time here. I know the race although our rivals know it a lot as well. I try to do my best, I like the race and the car is good. But there are several guys who will be very strong.”