Sordo prepares for final Citroen C4 outing

Dani Sordo could drive a Citroen in competition for the last time when he contests this weekend’s Monza Rally Show in Italy.

The event, which features nine stages covering 155 kilometres of the Italian Grand Prix venue, has become one of the highlights of the off-season rallying calendar and attracts up to 100,000 spectators.

Sordo, from Spain, is currently without a seat in the World Rally Championship for 2011 after being told by Citroen that he can only drive one of its DS3 WRCs next year if he finds the necessary backing.

At Monza, he will drive a Citroen C4 WRC for the semi-works PH Sport outfit and is relishing the opportunity to compete in one of his favourite rally cars for potentially the final time.

“It’s going to be really fun and of course I try to win,” said the former Junior world champion. “The fans in Italy love rallying and I would like to put on a really good show for them and enjoy the C4 for the last time. It’s a very special car and I have many good memories so I hope this continues in Monza.”

Sordo won’t be the only C4 driver in action in Monza, which is located on the outskirts of Milan. Dindo Capello, a five time winner of the event, and Felice Re will also drive C4s, while Alessandro Perico will pilot a Citroen Xsara WRC. Three Ford Focus RS WRCs will also be appearing in the hands of Piero Longhi, MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli and Andrea Navarra.

Gianfranco Cunico, a two-time Monza winner and the last privateer to win a round of the world championship when he triumphed on Rallye Sanremo in 1993, will also be taking part in a Peugeot 207 Super 2000.

Following the completion of the Monza Rally Show on Sunday morning, the leading contenders will take part in a shoot-out event, the Master Show, on Sunday afternoon. The 1500-metre stage is based entirely on Monza’s famous start/finish straight.