Rising star Pierre Campana will resume his bid for the Clio R3 Trofeo Italia when he contests Rally del Salento, which gets underway with a 4.6-kilometre stage tonight (Thursday).

The Italian Rally Championship event, which also counts as the second round of the Clio R3 Trofeo Italia, features 12 asphalt stages over a distance of 152.59 kilometres. It takes place in the heel of Italy with the start and finish in Lecce and a permanent service park at La Conca kart circuit. One of the stages, the 2.04-kilometre Mare del Salento run on Saturday (June 19), will be televised live on RAI Sport. 

Campana and co-driver Sabrina de Castelli, who will drive a Renault Clio R3 backed by the French simulator company Ellip6, arrive in Salento full of confidence following their outright win on Rally Gaeta, which took place 100 kilometres south of Rome last weekend.

“We start every rally confident we can produce a good result but we have an even better feeling for Rally del Salento following our victory on Rally Gaeta recently, which we used to practice driving our Clio on asphalt,” said Campana. “We know we will face strong competition in Salento but we have every faith in our abilities and our Ellip6 Renault Clio R3. After not scoring on the Mille Miglia we are determined to score some points but also record some fast stage times.”

Campana’s outing on Rally del Salento marks the start of an important two weeks for the 25-year-old. Following the Italian event, Campana will head to Belgium for the Geko Ypres Rally, round six of the IRC 2WD Cup and the third round of the Clio R3 European Trophy.

“It’s a very exciting time for me and I am very grateful for Ellip6 and all my other sponsors for giving me this opportunity,” said Campana. “Not only can I test myself against some of the best Clio R3 drivers, I will be able to build up my experience, which can only help me for the future.”

Corsica-based Campana sprung to prominence when he claimed a podium finish in the Junior World Rally Championship section of the Tour de Corse in 2008. He underlined that potential by claiming second in the IRC 2WD Cup on Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo in January.

For more information:  
 
www.pierrecampana.com
www.quadrasports.com
media@quadrasports.com
www.ellip6.com

17 June, 2010