Baggio - Zanella won the 5th Tuscan Rewind

Paolo Baggio, from Veneto, with co-driver Flavio Zanella, behind the wheel of a Lancia 037 K-Sport, won the 5th Tuscan Rewind, the legendary rally divided in two legs, on famous gravel roads around Montalcino and Buonconvento. Baggio, who returned to rallying this year, got a prestigious acknowledgment in a crowded race with famous names of Italian rally. Baggio also won the 4th group.

Baggio, second behind fast “Lucky” Battistolli, great performer together with Fabrizia Pons behind the wheel of a Lancia 037 K-Sport of the first seven special stages, took advantage of Battistolli, forced to retire after stumbling out of the road in the first leg, to grab qualification. From then on, Baggio kept up second position although German Michael Stock with his son Matthias, behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 Sc Safari held that position for a period of time. In the final leg, some electrical problems slowed down Stock so he was overtaken by English Guy Callum together with Andrew Roughead, fast behind the wheel of a Ford Escort Rs, but far from the leader Baggio, however first of the Second Group.

To complete the podium among historic cars in the end there were, Guggiari, with Stefano Angelino, with his stunning Fiat 131 Abarth that succeeded to keep Giovanni Galleni from Livorno behind, with his co-driver Mario Pizzuti, that had problems with the rear shock absorbers in the first leg.

Among important withdrawal in the first leg (all of them entered the race in the second leg thanks to Super Rally) that of the Finnish Ville Silvasti, debuted behind the wheel of an Audi Quattro Ur, that was forced to stop due to a broken oil pump. After he fixed the piece, Silvasti experienced further Tuscan gravel roads.

Also “Lucky” Battistolli went back to race, even with a penalty, with the aim to entertain the public, and to honor the work of organizers and the beauty of Tuscan Rewind.

Another well-famous “stop” and return to the race is that of Gabriele Noberasco and Michele Ferrara, an extemporary couple that was stopped due to gear linkage failure, stucked in first gear, on Citroen Visa 1000 Pistes, in the first special stage of the first leg.

On the other hand, from Milano, Peter” Zanchi behind the wheel of a Lancia Delta 16V with co-driver Dario D’Esposito, were the only one that have enrolled among “Classic”, cars that are not modern but still does not enter among historic. In particular, Delta 16V will become historic by FIA in 2015 and by Italian Federation in 2016. Finally, speaking about Zanchi’s performance, he could have been potentially first among historic and sixth among modern cars.

ALESSANDRO TADDEI WON AMONG MODERN CARS

The long duel between, Alessandro Taddei, from Trentino, with co-driver Gaspari, and local driver Valter Pierangioli, with his co-driver Innocenti, both behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi lancer Evo9 lasted two legs. Eventually, Alessandro Taddei came out as a winner.

An interesting duel, where Pierangioli at the end acknowledged him as the winner even if he could complain due to problems with mass air flow sensor cable in the end.

Another extraordinary duel, for third place, was between two drivers from Verona and teammates Luca Hoebling, with co-driver Mauro Grassi and Riccardo Scandola with Daniele Pasi as his co-driver. In the end, a little over a second divided the two Škoda Fabia Super 2000, with two friends-rivals, happy to have had fun, to have given a great show and to have finished without a scratch on cars.

For Rudi and Maya Barbero the situation was different. They finished fifth overall behind the wheel of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, and in the sixth place overall we find Giacomo Matteuzzi, from San Casciano Val di Pesa, with his co-driver Marco Piazzini, consistently fast with only two front-wheel drive of small but fast Renault Twingo.

GREAT MOMENTS WITH FORERUNNERS HARRI TOIVONEN E HARALD DEMUTH

Seeing again on these special stages and crossing towns on a Lancia 037 “dressed” Martini Racing that wrote indelible pages of history of the rally, with two well known names on its sides of Attilio Bettega and Maurizio Perissinot, has raised enthusiasm and even a hint of emotion. A well-managed co-operation between Lancia museum and Harri Toivonen, as a forerunner, the brother of unforgettable Henri. Harri Toivonen, fast but experienced driver, drove with a lot of respect Lancia 037, but at the same time offering a great show. And from “up there” even Henri, Sergio, Attilio and “Icio” would have surely appreciated...

Another major forerunner German Harald Demuth, protagonist of important European and World rally, thrilled spectators behind the wheel of a rare Opel Manta 400 Safari version, with passionate owner Wolf Dieter Ihle as his co-driver.

“Tuscan Rewind’s charm has been confirmed – commented at the end Vito Piarulli, organizer who strongly believes in the potential of this event - and positive feedback of crews, in the end of this fifth edition, encourages us to continue and make this event even bigger, unique for its special stages, beautiful landscapes, positive atmosphere and because of the presence of so many passionate champions”.