Andreucci claims sixth Italian title

16th July 2011

By Anthony Peacock

Peugeot Italia driver Paolo Andreucci has claimed his sixth Italian Championship title with a victory on the all-gravel San Crispino Rally in Tuscany – which uses many of the stages that were previously part of the Sanremo Rally in its World Championship heyday.

So far, the 46-year-old has won all six events to be held on the Italian Championship, wrapping up the drivers’ title for himself and the manufacturers’ title for Peugeot with two rounds left to go.

His objective is now to win all eight rounds of the series: an unprecedented feat. “It’s not going to be easy but of course I have to give it a go,” said Andreucci, who won his previous titles in 2001, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2010. “We’ve shown that we can be competitive in all conditions, so why not?”

Andreucci beat the similar Peugeot of Andrea Aghini, who finished second on the San Crispino Rally, winning seven of the 10 stages.

“I knew that we would be strong this year, but to be honest I never expected this level of success,” said Andreucci. “I think it’s just down to the strength of the package. It’s probably not a coincidence that in the three years I’ve been with Peugeot and Pirelli, we’ve won every time.”

 The next round of the Italian Rally Championship is the Rally del Friuli e delle Alpi Orientali from 1-3 September.