Sardinia Rally preview
16-18 May, 2008
True grit, a bit of luck and a dash of blind faith are the ingredients needed to conquer the mountainous gravel stages of Sardinia's epic WRC round.
The Italian island is blessed with some of the finest Mediterranean scenery going, while the Sardinians themselves live longer than virtually anyone else on planet. Neither of which fact will bring any comfort to the rally drivers, especially if they engage too forcefully with that treacherous scenery.
Just ask Sebastian Loeb. Last year he was on for his third consecutive Sardinian win with just 60km to go when he slid a touch too far on one corner and instantly broke the steering on his Citroen. That gifted Ford's Marcus Gronholm (pictured, right) the win and kept the championship fight alive.
But with Loeb having already tested his Citroen C4 here earlier in the year, and now all fired up after losing his championship lead to Hirvonen in Jordan, the Frenchman will be tough to beat. Hirvonen's win in the Middle East could be a handicap here. His prestigious start position on the Friday means he'll be forced to play road sweeper on the first day, making life easier for second-placed Loeb and everyone else.
Sardinia is one of those events that seems long-rooted in the WRC calendar, but actually it only took over from the tarmac Sanremo Rally on mainland Italy in 2004. Since then the tight, twisting gravel tracks snaking through limestone, granite and forest scenery have burned plenty of unforgettable driving images onto every rally fan's mind.
New for this year is a move to the obscenely glamorous Costa Smeralda resort region for the final day. This playboy bolthole is holiday host to the likes of Renault F1 team boss Flavio Briatore, who owns the bluntly named Billionaire's Club, as well as many a passing A-lister.
The final stage on Sunday loops around the hotel resort of Cala di Volpe, made permanently famous after James Bond drove his Lotus Esprit out of the sea here and onto the beach in the Spy Who Loved Me. Propellers aren't covered by FIA rules, missiles even less so, but WRC drivers do have to put up with chasing helicopters…
As well as the regulars, Sardinia sees the return of Norway's tearaway teenager Andreas Mikkelsen, who astounded everyone with a fifth place at this year's Swedish rally driving a privateer Ford Focus RS. The 18-year-old lines up ahead of the J-WRC boys, who are back for a second rally in a row. The Citroen C2 of double winner Sebastien Ogier is now the target for every other driver, with Sweden's Patrik Sandell hoping for retribution after a late smash in his Renault Clio handed the Frenchman the win in Jordan. The Rally d'Italia Sardegna, to give it its full title, starts on Friday May 16.
Our Programmes
In Dave
Angus Deayton
| Bill Bailey
| Catherine Tate
| Chat Shows
| Competitions
| Docusoap
| James May
| Jeremy Clarkson
| Message Boards
| Mark Lamarr
| Motoring
| Phill Jupitus
| Paul Merton
| Paul Whitehouse
| Ray Mears
| Reality Shows
| Richard Hammond
| Rory McGrath
| Samantha Janus
| Sketch and Sitcom
| Stephen Fry
| Survival
| Dave Shows
| Dave Stars
