XXIII Rallye Elba Storico - Trofeo Locman Lancia Rally 037 Wins the Day

: The winning Lancia Rally 037 of Marco Bianchini and

Although not eligible for Championship points in his Lancia 037, San Marino driver Marco Bianchini, flanked by Emanuele Baldaccini, took the lead on the road from the third special stage on day one of the three-day Rallye Elba Storico and proceeded to dominate the rest of the rally, breaking the long string of Porsche victories that has lasted without interruption since 2000. But the Stuttgart marque made a strong showing: behind him was Alberto Salvini, who came first in the Italian Championship, while Luca Ambrosoli, took third, both in Porsches.

: Italian team Mario Morando and Davide Priori drove their Porsche 911 S to fifth in Group 1

The XXIII Rallye Elba Storico organised by ACI Livorno Sport was the seventh round of the European Historic Sporting Rally Championship and eighth of the Italian Championship. With some 114 cars entered in the special stage rally, and another 35 taking part in the Elba Grafitti Regularity event, a big crowd gathered in Capoliveri on the Tuscan island of Elba in the Mediterranean sunshine. A stage on the first evening, Thursday 22 September, in the town attracted a crowd of thousands and saw driver “Pedro” put his Rally Lancia 037 through its paces for the spectators.

: ‘’Pedro’’ and Giovanni Mattanza drove their Lancia Rally 037 to fifth overall and second in group J1

But before he could win, Bianchini’s main threat was Lucio Da Zanche, who took the first stage before his Porsche engine failed, leading to retirement. After that Bianchini was able to control the rally despite strong performances from Salvini, who also took first in Category 2 for cars from 1970 to 1975 and Marco Raoul Domenicali, who took second place in Category 3 and fourth place behind Ambrosoli, also with Porsche.

Salvini’s run was even more remarkable, as he suffered a broken suspension arm on one stage, and then on the last day he hit a stone and had to finish the race with a sore shoulder. Piero Carissimi (Porsche 911) took second in Group 2: a very good performance as he was weakened by a nasty flu. Czech Janota was third in the category with his Opel Kadett GT/E, strengthening his lead in the European standings over Antonio Parisi (Porsche 911), who arrived just behind in the final classification.

Current FIA leader, Enrico Brazzoli (Porsche 911), constantly missed the top ranking in his category 3, undoubtedly influenced by a penalty on the first day for a delay to a time control.

Read a detailed report in our November issue….

: Miroslav Janota and Pavel Dresler (CZ) came 10th overall and 3rd in group 2 driving an Opel Kadett C Gte against the beautiful island landscapes