Rallylegend 2011: Harri Toivonen on Henri´s Manta 400

Twenty-five years after his death, the memory of Henri Toivonen and Sergio Cresto is celebrated in "Rallylegend style": his brother Harri Toivonen will drive in San Marino the Opel Manta 400 led to victory in 1983 by Henri. And on Thursday evening the "Legend Emotions" with the images of that period by Piero Comanducci. Also Piero Liatti (Subaru WRC) at the start of Rallylegend, for a real full-in of entries. Great news for the Super Stage, which will also be the center of "Legend Show" on Sunday. Fifteen carefully selected Lancia Stratos, the stars of the "Stratos meeting."

Republic of San Marino. The four-days schedule of Rallylegend next 6th-9th October in the Republic of San Marino becomes increasingly rich: it will attract much attention and the presence of tens of thousands of fans. As of tradition, the limit of admitted requests has been largely overcome in the four categories Historic, Myth, WRC and Legend Stars and the organisers are proceeding with the selection of those admitted.

The presence of all the champions previously announced is confirmed; moreover there will be the addition of more important names. Twenty-five years after the tragic death of Henri Toivonen and Sergio Cresto, Rallylegend remembers two great friends with affection and passion: Harri Toivonen, excellent driver, will drive in San Marino the Group B Opel Manta 400 in Rothmans livery, with which his brother Henri won the Manx Rally in 1983. Next to Harri, the notes will be read by Wolf-Dieter Ihle, an old Rallylegend’s friend. Among WRC cars, Piero Liatti, great home champion, will be at the start with the Subaru Impreza WRC.

As always, the many Italian champions cannot miss the event, among them Federico Ormezzano and Betty Tognana, Totò Riolo (Audi), back to Rallylegend after winning one edition of it, Paolo Dracone (Peugeot 206 WRC) and the first-rate champion of our days Luca Pedersoli, with Dino Maggioni, Magneti Marelli Aftermarket MD. To be noticed also the presence at race of Flaviano Polato, protagonist of the ‘80s rallies in the little Fiat 126.

It is the center of attention and maximum attendance of Rallylegend. The Super Stage "The Legend" which will be a rally stage both on Friday and Saturday, will also be the show stage on Sunday, final act of Rallylegend 2011.

"Legend Show" is indeed scheduled on Sunday, Oct. 9th and becomes a well-defined and important part of the event with a high rate of entertainment content. This year the "Group B Challenge" and the “Lancia Stratos anniversary" will delight the fans who will flock to the Super Stage.

To make the show even more exciting, the route of "The Legend" has been transformed by inserting artificial jumps and reversals on gravel. Specific areas reserved to spectators have been identified, so that they can see long stretches with no risks. The same staff constituted by experts who redesigned the "Super", will then also take particular care of the security of the entire route of Rallylegend.

With Sandro Munari, Bernard Darniche, Tony Fassina and Fabrizio Tabaton to do the honors, the carefully selected Lancia Stratos giving life to "Stratos anniversary" will be fifteen: a static and dynamic Concourse d’Elegance, with a performance on the Super Stage on Sunday, which promises to be a truly unique and exciting event, besides being extremely rare.

The Stratos owners will be given a radio-controlled, limited-edition “Stratos Legend 40th” model, produced by Italtrading, while a small quantity of these models will also sold to fans.

For the occasion on the evening of Thursday, October 6th at the Rallylegend Village, Comanducci will project a moving memory shooting of Henri Toivonen and Sergio Cresto, after twenty-five years from their passing. The rally filmmaker from Arezzo is also editing short monographs of the champions present at Rallylegend, which will be presented along with other spectacular creations by Comanducci

For enthusiasts who will attend Rallylegend during the four days of the event, many will be the chances to stay in touch with their heroes and champions, in the Rallylegend Village at the Multieventi Sport Domus of San Marino. One of the most significant opportunities will be the final dinner, which will follow the prize-giving ceremony on Saturday, October 8th on the finish podium of Rallylegend, right next to the catering area. At the dinner the great champions that have animated the two-day rally will be present, for an unforgettable evening. The night will continue under the sign of the show, with "Legend Night", with the presence of artists coming directly from the TV show "Chiambretti Night".

Our website is fully operative www.rallylegend.com, an official reference point for any kind of information concerning the San Marino event. The website will be continuously updated with references, addresses and the news on Rallylegend.