Basso to fight for IRC glory in Sanremo

Giandomenico Basso will be aiming for first place when he returns to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge on Rallye Sanremo this week.

Basso hasn’t competed in the IRC since his dramatic victory ahead of Andreas Mikkelsen on Rally San Marino in early July.

But he’s back in action in the M-Sport Ford Fiesta RRC he shares with co-driver Mitia Dotta after completing a late deal to contest the legendary asphalt encounter in his native Italy.

“I’m really pleased to have this sorted at last and obviously the aim is to try for the win or at the very least, the top positions,” said Basso. “The Fiesta should be quite well suited to Sanremo as there is plenty of torque from the engine and the stages are quite flowing, which are the conditions that the Fiesta copes best with. However, the car has a different driving style to the conventional Super 2000s: it’s quite busy and physical as you have to work it hard to get the best out of it, with plenty of gear changes. I’m hoping to have a few hours testing before we start the rally just to get used to it again.”

Basso is currently fifth in the IRC standings.