Two events to go for Kris Meeke in IRC title chase With Peugeot already sure of the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge Manufacturers’ crown following the result of the recent Rally Principe de Asturias, attention focuses now on the battle for the Drivers’ title which will be decided on the last two events of the season, namely this weekend’s Rallye Sanremo and the Rally of Scotland in two months’ time. Ahead of the trip to the Italian Riviera, Peugeot UK’s Kris Meeke enjoys a one-point advantage over his closest threat, the Czech Skoda driver Jan Kopecky.

Not only does the 2009 Rallye Sanremo mark the 50th running of what stands out as one of the sport’s longest surviving fixtures, but it also celebrates the 80th anniversary of the inaugural event. As usual, it has attracted a strong entry, with a field of some 100 cars, including 24 Super 2000s. The ranks of the latter feature no fewer than 15 Peugeot 207 Super 2000s, spearheaded by the Peugeot UK car driven by Kris Meeke, the two Peugeot Belgium-Luxemburg machines of Freddy Loix and Nicolas Vouilloz, the Peugeot Italy car of Paolo Andreucci and the BF Goodrich Drivers Team 207 in the hands of Luca Cantamessa, as well as a long list of privateer entries, including the notoriously quick Renato Travaglia.

This year, in order to minimise costs for the organisers and competitors alike, this year’s Rallye Sanremo is based on a compact format, with a total competitive distance of a little more than 200km. The event starts at 6pm on Friday evening (September 25) and finishes at 5:50pm the following day.

" It promises to be an all-out sprint, so it will be important to hit the ground running from the very first corner " predicts Nicolas Vouilloz. "The longest stage, Ronde, is scheduled for Friday evening and we face the prospect of covering 44km in one go at night-time. We will need to be in tip-top shape if we are to manage our car, tyres and brakes over that sort of distance… "

The Frenchman’s team-mate Freddy Loix has a particular liking for the Sanremo: " It takes place in autumn, so the stages are never entirely dry. You often come across damp portions, and occasionally running water. Even in fine weather, leaves and chestnuts on the road can make the conditions very slippery. You’ve got to be ready to react round every corner, so that calls for a certain amount of improvisation in the way you drive. But isn’t that what rallying is all about ? " beams the Belgian.

Peugeot Italy’s Paolo Andreucci will be looking to profit from the event to wrap up the Italian Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ titles : " I will base my pace on achieving my main objective, which is to make sure of the two Italian titles for Peugeot. However, if an opportunity arises to win outright, I will seize it with both hands. I have the most competitive car, but I don’t intend to take any unnecessary risks. "

Meanwhile, the current IRC leader Kris Meeke will be out to reach Saturday evening’s finish ahead of his main rival Jan Kopecky who is just one point behind in the championship’s provisional standings. Should he succeed, it will make the Briton’s mission easier when the Intercontinental Rally Challenge moves on to Scotland in November for the final round of the year, where the Briton’s experience of gravel competition could give him a decisive advantage in the title chase.

Leading entries :
1. Juho Hanninen / Mikko Markkula (Skoda Fabia S2000)
2. François Duval / Denis Giraudet (Abarth Grande Punto S2000)
3. Lucas Rossetti /Matteo Chiarcossi (Abarth Grande Punto S2000)
4. Paolo Adreucci / Anna Andreussi (Peugeot 207 S2000)
5. Renato Travaglia / Lorenzo Granai (Peugeot 207 S2000)
6. Kris Meeke / Paul Nagle (Peugeot 207 S2000)
7. Jan Kopecky / Petr Stary (Skoda Fabia S2000)
8. Freddy Loix / Frédéric Miclotte (Peugeot 207 S2000)
9. Piero Longhi / Maurizio Imerito (Skoda Fabia S2000)
10. Nicolas Vouilloz / Nicolas Klinger (Peugeot 207 S2000)
11. Rudy Michelini / Michele Perna (Peugeot 207 S2000)
12. Alessandro Perico / Fabrizio Carrara (Peugeot 207 S2000)
14. Simone Campedelli / Danilo Fappani (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX)
15. Davide Medici / Daniele De Luis (Peugeot 207 S2000)
16. Marco Signor / Maurizio Barone (Peugeot 207 S2000)
18. Umberto Scandola / Guido D’Amore (Abarth Grande Punto S2000)
19. Matteo Gamba / Marco Pollicino (Peugeot 207 S2000)
20. Lucas Cantamessa / Piercarlo Capolongo (Peugeot 207 S2000)
21. Elwis Chentre / Erica Pogliano (Peugeot 207 S2000)
22. Alessio Pisi / Fulvio Florean (Abarth Grande Punto S2000)
23. Guy Wilks / Phil Pigh (Proton Satria S2000)
24. Julien Maurin / Gilles Thimonier (Skoda Fabia S2000)