Packed with fans eager to have fun, spectacular and adrenaline-fuelled. A festive atmosphere accompanied the night-time “Sprint Legend Race”, which on Thursday evening opened the 24th edition of Rallylegend. Over the roughly two kilometres of the roundabouts special stage, the best time was set by the multi-title-winning Italian crew of Luca Pedersoli and Anna Tomasi, in the “muscular” Hyundai i20 N Rally1, the official car of the World Rally Championship that has just concluded, who thus take the “appetizer” of Rallylegend.
The rest of the overall podium is entirely San Marinese, in the colours of Scuderia San Marino, with Davide Simoncini, co-driven by Umberto Bollini, second at 1.4 seconds from the top in the Citroen C3 WRC, ahead of Danilo Tomassini, with Stefano Spadoni on the pace notes, in a Skoda Fabia Evo R5.
Fourth and fifth overall in the Sprint Legend Race, on the other hand, speak Swiss: in order, Mirko Puricelli, alongside Aivano (Citroen DS3 WRC), and “Il Valli” with Cirillo in a BMW M3.
A positive outcome for the first on-the-ground check, crowned with success, of the impressive safety work put in place at Rallylegend 2026, an advanced method, backed by high-level technology and highly qualified personnel.
But it is the rally that fuels the expectations of the tens of thousands of spectators and fans who have already converged on San Marino from all over the world. The wait will end this early evening, Friday 9 October, with the start of Day 1 of Rallylegend.
Meanwhile, the Rallylegend Village has come alive and is buzzing with activity, having hosted all day talk shows, meetings and autograph sessions with the many champions present, surrounded by the affection of thousands of fans.
EMOTIONS, MEMORIES AND A HUG FROM THE PUBLIC FOR THE “MUNARI TRIBUTE”
Sandro Munari is still in the hearts and minds of many fans. And the tribute paid to him by Rallylegend proved it, with the Rally Village crowd following with great involvement the central moment of the tribute, attended by Matteo, son of the great “Dragon”, Markku Alén, Miki Biasion, Stig Blomqvist, Franco Cunico and Gigi Pirollo.
During the event two books were also presented, with the authors and a fine group of Lancia Martini team mechanics present: “Corso Marche 38: Il Regno degli Uomini Ombra”, dedicated to the history of the Fiat-Lancia Racing Department, and “Una vita in tuta” (A Life in Overalls), based on the memories of Rino Buschiazzo, legendary chief mechanic of Lancia Martini.
As a spectacular backdrop, five original cars of Sandro Munari: the Lancia Stratos with which he won the 1977 Monte Carlo Rally, the Stratos of the 1975 Safari, the Lancia Fulvia Barchetta of the 1969 Mugello, the Fiat 131 Abarth of the 1978 Sanremo Rally and the Lancia Fulvia HF of the 1973 European Rally Championship.
TOMORROW, SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER, DAY 2 OF RALLYLEGEND STARTS AT 12:30 PM
Tomorrow, Saturday 10 October, Day 2 of Rallylegend is entirely in daylight, with two runs of “Le Tane” and “La Casa” and one pass on “The Legend”. Before the start of the rally, among other Rally Village activities, the “Alex Fiorio Tribute”, with Andrea Aghini, Gigi Pirollo, Andrea Navarra, Piero Liatti, Markku Alén and Miki Biasion attending, and the “Group B Tribute” on “The Legend” special stage.
PRESS OFFICE
Leo Todisco Grande
Cell.+39.335.8298326
E-mail leotodisco@rallylegend.com
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Alen Bollini
Cell.+39.338.6601713
E-mail media@rallylegend.com
