Basso wins 1000 Miglia
Works Abarth driver Giandomenico Basso took his privately entered Grande Punto S2000 to victory on the all-asphalt Rally Mille Miglia run in North Italy, opening round of the FIA European championship, his third win on this event. Very changeable weather led to fast changing classifications, with different leaders in the first three stages, but then the event settled into a battle between Basso and Peugeot driver Renato Travaglia. Orthodox Group N were hopelessly outclassed: top finisher was Dimitar Iliev in 15th place, behind three two-wheel drive Clio R3s. Super 2000 cars took the top eleven places, nine of them Peugeots. The event was boycotted by the national Fiat, Peugeot and Subaru teams following an unexpected and unbudgeted expansion of the national championship. Basso however broke the boycott in order to qualify for the Euro series, for which competitors must start at least six events. Basso and Travaglia were the top two Euro finishers ahead of Michal Solowow and Luca Betti.

This was the first European qualifying event for the Pirelli Star Driver: four wheel drive winner was Marco Signor (Fiat), two wheel winner was Andrea Torlasco (Renault). Romanian driver Valerntin Porcisteanu finished fourth in the PSD competition, second in the 4WD class.

2008 champion is winning first round
The 61st Rallye Lyon Charbonnieres was this year’s first round of the Tarmac French Rally Championship. At start were present 186 cars, the French championship still accepting world rally cars. Last year champion Dany Snobeck won the event driving a Peugeot 307 WRC owned by Team Bozian. Two Peugeot 207 Super 2000 driven by Jean Sebastein Vigion and Olivier Marty were second and third.

Last stage winner in Czech Republic
Roman Kresta (Peugeot 207 Super 2000) lost the Mogul Sumava Rally the second round of the Czech Championship on the last stage due to mechanical problems. Vaclav Pech Jr – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX won the event by 1,4 seconds with Pavel Valousek – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX on third place. Hermann Gassner had to retire in the first leg due to mechanical problems. There were 61 cars at start from which 4 were Super 2000.

3mmm
photo 1: Basso - Fiat
photo 2: Travaglia - Peugeot