ERC
France versus Italy ready for kick-off in ERC
The inaugural National Match Rally – a competition between the ASNs of France and Italy – gets under way on the FIA European Rally Championship-counting Rally di Roma Capitale later today.
Six drivers representing France through the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA) and six drivers representing Italy through the Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI) will take part in the first-of-its-kind contest with points, prizes and bragging rights up for grabs.
Pierre Ragues, president of the FFSA, said: “The creation of Team France Espoir Rallye FFSA was the first step of a broader vision: giving our young drivers the opportunity to represent their country as part of a true national team. The official launch of the Italy–France National Match Rally marks another important milestone in that journey. We are grateful to our friends at the Automobile Club d’Italia for embracing this idea and helping us bring it to life. Together, we hope this first edition will pave the way for many more international matches between the world’s leading rally nations.”
France will go up against Italy in the National Match Rally
© ERC
General Tullio Del Sette, member of the ACI National Board, said: “For ACI, as the Federation governing Italian motorsport, it is essential to be able to represent Italy’s motor racing excellence within a high-profile international context, also through new and positive initiatives such as this, which are capable of enhancing talent, cooperation and the growth of the sporting movement. The encounter between Italy and France is an expression of competitive passion and a reflection of the rallying tradition of two countries which, through different protagonists, have shaped the history of motorsport. We are therefore proud to contribute to the creation of this new event and to host its first edition in Italy, where Rome and the Rally that bears its name provide an unrivalled stage.”
Arthur Pelamourgues, part of the Team France line-up at the wheel of a Hyundai i20 N Rally2, said: “It’s going to be a fast week and when we see the Italian team, it’s only fast pilots. But I love challenge, I love competition, so of course we have to improve, learn and take some experience and go as fast as we can and that’s what we try. It’s the beginning of something, maybe Spain the next time, or some other countries, but it’s a good initiative.”
ERC ace Andrea Mabellini is part of the Italian team
© ERC
Lancia-powered Team Italy driver Andrea Mabellini said: “It’s as important as the championship because if you do a great personal result it’s the same time a great result for Italy so it’s double and it’s going to be very fun, Italy versus France, two motorsport stories. It’s going to be a real pleasure to play for the Italian team. It’s a good idea to expand to other countries and with this kind of events and it’s important to the nations to show to the world what they have.”
Team France visits French Embassy in Rome
Team France took time out of its preparations for Rally di Roma Capitale by visiting the French Embassy in Rome on Wednesday where they were hosted by the Consul General of France, Fabrice Maiolino. During their visit to the Palazzo Farnese, Team France learned more about the missions of the embassy, which serves the bilateral relationship between France and Italy, and of the Consulate, which supports the French community living in Italy. The visit concluded with each driver and co-driver receiving the official Team France FFSA Rally jersey from FFSA president Pierre Ragues and Consul General Fabrice Maiolino.
Team France visited the French embassy in Rome
© FFSA
Click HERE to find out more about National Match Rally.
