Former IRC 2WD Cup star back in rally action

Stefano Albertini, runner-up in the IRC 2WD Cup in 2011, will be back in action when he contests Rally 1000 Miglia, a round of the Italian championship, in his homeland this weekend.

The 25-year-old, who lost out to Jean-Michel Raoux in a close fight for IRC 2WD Cup glory on last November’s Cyprus Rally, will drive a Peugeot 207 Super 2000. His programme will include at least four events.

“It’s down to me to learn the car, which is a big step up from what I am used to, in a very short space of time,” said Albertini, who campaigned a Renault Clio R3 in the IRC last season alongside co-driver Simone Scattolin. “But I’m really looking forward to making my debut.”

Albertini’s campaign is the result of a joint initiative between tyre firm Pirelli and CSAI, the Italian motorsport federation, to unearth a future star driver.