Rallylegend 2012: Entries open

The Swedish champions are among the great names added to the “parterre de roi” of the San Marino event, which will be on stage from next 11th to 14th October. Entries are open until next 24th September. The presence of Juha Kankkunen is confirmed, joined by Gustavo Trelles, Per Eklund, Harald Demuth, whereas Marcus Gronholm was compelled to renounce due to the bad consequences of the accident suffered in the United States. Sandro Munari will start under the Legend Stars category, whereas Jacky Ickx will be one of the forerunners. Rallylegend remembers Philippe Bugalski. Dream cars in the “Safari Celebration”, which will celebrate the 50th anniversary from the last victory of the Volkswagen Beetle in the African rally. Another highly prestigious confirmation is the world premiere presence of the new VW Polo R Wrc, running as forerunner at Rallylegend. Great interest also for Deltalegend, the unique framework celebration of the 25 years of Lancia Delta.

Republic of San Marino. The organising staff of Rallylegend 2012 passed their holidays at work. New surprises and initiatives have been revealed back to full activity. In the Republic of San Marino scenario, from the 11th to the 14th October, Bjorn Waldegaard and his co-driver Hans Thorszelius will be part of the game: they have been world rally champions in 1979 and among the protagonists of the world panorama for four decades. The Swedish couple will be rallying on board a gorgeous and extremely rare Mercedes 500 SLC, which has been protagonist of many rallies in the ‘80s, whereas a Mercedes 500 SLC in Safari set-up will be boasting among the queens to be admired in the Safari Celebration. Another great Rallylegend exclusive project by Rallylegend, which has been possible thanks to the co-operation with Silver Arrows Racing, the Belgian team particularly focused on the fascinating rally Mercedes.

Another important success for the Zeromille organisation, led by Vito Piarulli and Paolo Valli, with the addition of yet another real “Legendary” name to the champions that have already announced their presence. Juha Kankkunen will be racing again on the Lancia Delta Integrale, this time “dressed” in the Magneti Marelli Checkstar colours, the same livery which will be identifying the Toyota Celica St 205 driven by Gustavo Trelles, an opponent to be feared by everybody.

To the previously mentioned names, Per Eklund (VW Golf) and Harald Demuth (Audi Quattro) will be added.

Sandro Munari will be performing among the Legend Stars on that same Lancia Stratos which he has taken so far in the past, whereas Jacky Ickx is back to San Marino and he will be one of the forerunners on a Porsche 911. Michael Gerber will be starting on his Audi Quattro S1, whereas the well-known German journalist Bernd Ostmann will be part of the game on a Volkswagen.

Marcus Gronholm, instead, was forced to renounce with high disappointment, due to the consequences of the serious accident he suffered recently in the United States during an exhibition.

EXCEPTIONAL FORERUNNER THE VW POLO R WRC AS WORLD PREMIERE

In order to make the Rallylegend event even more intriguing, Volkswagen will bring to San Marino the brand new VW Polo R Wrc, soon awaited at the official presentation and then to the World Rally Championship debut.

The long-awaited Polo will start as exceptional forerunner at Rallylegend, a highly prestigious presence with international echo. A true world premiere, the first contact “in motion” with audience and the international press of the new Volkswagen “weapon” in the world rallies.

SAFARI CELEBRATION UNDER VOLKSWAGEN LEITMOTIV.

The victory signed by the Volkswagen Beetle 50 years ago in 1962 was a well deserved one in the exhausting East African Safari Rally, the “Safari”, the most fascinating rally of the World Championship.

Rallylegend celebrates the Safari within the Rallylegend Village with a static exhibition of the most meaningful group of cars that have been the protagonists of the “Safari”, among which some real rarities.

The “Safari” idea linked to Rallylegend awoke much interest and a wonderful group of special cars are gathering in San Marino from all over Europe in their African set-up.

25TH LANCIA DELTA – DELTALEGEND 2012: DREAM PRIZES FOR THE DELTA OWNERS PRESENT

None more than her … “25th Lancia Delta – Deltalegend 2012” will be an original and all-involving way to celebrate the fourth of a century of the queen of rallies, developed for drivers but also for the many enthusiasts and owners of the various rally versions of the Delta, in an event that will remind in its structure the most legendary rallies of history.

120 Lancia Delta Integrale and 4WD owners will be admitted to Deltalegend 2012, of any kind and year, both in road and racing set-up and among all participants three lucky ones will be drawn and will have the chance to seat next to a famous “top-driver” on a Group A Delta during the Super Stage “The Legend”. A truly unforgettable experience that can become reality only at Rallylegend!!

RALLYLEGEND REMEMBERS PHILIPPE BUGALSKI

More than once it seemed to be confirmed, then the various sudden commitments linked to his tester work hampered his presence at Rallylegend. This year Philippe Bugalski had confirmed his presence, he wanted to finally be part of the magical atmosphere of Rallylegend and he would have started on an official Citroen Xsara Wrc, directly coming from the Museum of the French House. Then the tragedy of the incident in the garden of his home, last 10th August, which was fatal for the “Petit Bug” and which hardly upset his many friends and fans of the rally world. Philippe will in any case be present at Rallylegend, with a memory that the Organisers are preparing …

OUR WEBSITE AS A REFERENCE POINT FOR INFORMATION

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 news on Rallylegend. The Provisional Programme is already on-line, it can be subject to changes and integrations.