Basso gets set for rare gravel outing in the IRC

Basso gets set for rare gravel outing in the IRC Giandomenico Basso will start his first event on gravel in two years when he contests Rally San Marino, round seven of the all-action Intercontinental Rally Challenge, later this week.

Basso, a winner of four IRC rounds in the past, is better known for his exploits on asphalt and has yet to drive his M-Sport Ford Fiesta RRC on gravel in competition.

“I wanted to do at least one rally on gravel this year,” said Basso, who finished third on the IRC-counting Targa Florio-Rally Internazionale Di Sicilia last month. “But I honestly don’t know what we can expect from this event. My agreement to do the rally came very late and driving the Fiesta on gravel will obviously be a completely new experience. But the stages around San Marino are very nice, even though I don’t know them so well. That will be the case for everyone though as the route is all-new for this year.”

Italian Basso, who is co-driven by countryman Mitia Dotta, was a regular on gravel events during his stint with the factory Abarth team in the IRC. He plans to call on that experience when Rally San Marino takes place from 5-7 July.

“In the IRC before we were capable of setting some good times on gravel so I hope this will be the case again,” said Basso. “But really we have to wait and see; there are a lot of unknowns for me. I enjoy driving on gravel just as much or more than I do driving on asphalt – it’s just that I don’t get the chance to do it very often.”