Rossetti to uphold Abarth honour in Madeira IRC

Although Giandomenico Basso’s bid for a fourth Rali Vinho Madeira victory has been scuppered after he was forced to withdraw his entry due to a funding shortage, the Abarth marque will still be represented on the Atlantic island by Luca Rossetti.

Rossetti, a four-time IRC event winner, will drive a Grande Punto Super 2000 for the Italian Procar operation as he bids to extend his lead of the European Rally Championship, which will also be contested in Madeira.

He said: “Madeira is a tough race in a beautiful island with wonderful and passionate people. I will be at the start to honour one of the most beautiful and important rallies in the world. I am aware that it will not be easy to get a positive result but I will try.”

Rossetti, 34, will be co-driven by regular navigator and fellow Italian Matteo Chiarcossi.