Rome will be the stunning backdrop to the latest rounds of the European (ERC) and Italian (CIR) rally championships, which get underway tomorrow with Pirelli-equipped drivers currently leading both series. Kajetan Kajetanowicz heads the European standings in his Ford Fiesta R5, while Peugeot Italia driver Paolo Andreucci is first in his domestic championship at the wheel of a 208T16.
Pirelli has always placed an emphasis on nurturing the careers of young drivers, who are also strongly represented in both championships. With Skoda Fabia R5 driver Marijan Griebel having already claimed the Under 28 European Junior title at the last round in the Czech Republic, Rome could crown the Under 27 champion in the two-wheel drive category as well.
The only thing that’s certain is that the winner will be on Pirelli tyres, as the Italian firm exclusively supplies the two-wheel drive Under 27 series.
ONE RALLY, BUT TWO EVENTS: There’s just one route on the Rally Roma Capitale but two distinct competitions, with the European Rally Championship competitors starting ahead of the Italian Rally Championship crews. This is to accommodate the different rules that each series runs to: including different tyre regulations.
The tyres are the same size and type for both championships, but in the European series the drivers can use a maximum of 18 tyres for four-wheel drive cars and 12 for two-wheel drive cars over the course of the event. In the Italian championship, all crews can use 16 tyres for the whole event – not including though the Rome-EUR district superspecial on Friday night.
THE TYRE CHOICE: For both the European and Italian championships, Pirelli is making its famous P Zero RK range of tyres for dry asphalt available, which allow drivers to perform at their best and benefit from contained wear, irrespective of the quantities allowed.
With relatively smooth asphalt and low temperatures, many of the four-wheel drive crews could opt for the softer RK7 tyres rather than the harder RK5 compound. Cinturato RW tyres will be available if it rains.
PIRELLI DRIVERS AT THE TOP OF THE FIA ERC: Pirelli is strongly represented among the 20 or so R5 cars to take the start, beginning with championship leader Kajetan Kajetanowicz, who aims to score more points this weekend in his quest for a third straight European title.
Alexey Lukyanuk is currently third in the standings and is also looking to move up the order. There are 10 drivers fighting for Under 27 European Junior Championship supremacy, including Tamara Molinaro, who currently leads the Ladies Trophy.
Three Pirelli-equipped Mitsubishi Lancer drivers are also fighting for the ERC2 title: Tibor Erdi Junior, Zelindo Melegari and Sergey Remennik: as well as Toyota GT86 CS-R3 driver Gianandrea Pisani, participating in a programme backed by the Italian motorsport federation as well as Pirelli.
Italy’s Paolo Andreucci has just one objective on his mind in Rome: victory and a remarkable 10th driver’s title. Up-and-coming Finnish youngster Kalle Rovanpera, driving a Peugeot, and Skoda driver Alessandro Perico are other bright Pirelli-backed prospects on the Italian firm’s home rally.
The Italian Junior champion could also be decided in Rome together with the champions in the main one-make series: Peugeot 208 Top, Renault Clio R3T and Renault Twingo R1A. All these series feature drivers younger than 26 and also Pirelli tyres.