Sottile not worried by lack of recent running

Sandro Sottile is confident that his lack of recent competition experience won’t hold him back when he contests the IRC 2WD Cup section of Rallye Sanremo this week.

The 40-year-old from Italy has won the two-wheel-drive category in Sanremo for the last two seasons and will be aiming to make it a hat trick of triumphs at the wheel of his Repetto Motorsport-run Honda Civic Type R.

However, a lack of budget has prevented him from competing since his victory on the Italian Riviera 12 months ago, which could, in theory, hamper his chances.

“I haven’t been driving since that last performance in Sanremo,” said Sottile. “No budget, the usual story. But thanks to a few friends and above all Ezio Repetto we are able to make the Civic Type R combative again. I live nearby, know the area and the roads well and can’t wait to start racing again.”

Sottile and Repetto Motorsport have completed a 50-kilometre test in preparation for Rallye Sanremo, the ninth round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge season, which gets underway on Friday (23 September).

“We have worked on the engine and the suspension and after only a few kilometers of testing it all started to come together,” said Ezio Repetto. “Sandro felt in shape, drove fast and was very satisfied about what we had achieved.”