22/12/07 - Gigi Galli new Stobart truck driver

Gigi Galli takes part in the 2008 FIA World Rally Championship at the wheel of a Ford Focus WRC of the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford team

At last Gigi Galli comes back in the World Rally Championship! A return in a big way with the Stobart VK M- Sport Ford team and supported by Pirelli. The programme provides the participation in all 15 rounds of the 2008 season. His co-driver will be again Giovanni Bernacchini.

“I’m very happy and proud that such a high level team is giving me the opportunity to get back on the world rally championship roads again” said Gigi “When two years ago the program with Mitsubishi has been suspended, I took part in just few races. My dream has always been to take part in the whole championship and at last now I have been given this opportunity”.

The Stobart VK M-Sport Ford team was born not long time ago but in the past two years it obtained some very good results, like the fourth place in the 2007 FIA Manufacturers World Rally Championship. Malcolm Wilson will be the team principle again and said that “Gigi’s experience in the World Rally Championship will give a good contribution to the team”.

“I’m very proud to become a Stobart truck driver. They have thousands of them, but maybe they were looking for an Italian one in order to make their company even more International. The only problem would be to get used to the right-hand driving, but I feel confident I can do it… They’ve been very nice to me, knowing how important it is for me the #25, they gave me the truck with this number” (see picture)

Joking apart I can’t wait to start preparation! Rally Montecarlo, the first round of the season, is getting close, so now I’ll concentrate on this to make a good first race. I know I can count on my Fans support and this helps and motivates me!

I take this opportunity to thank all of them. Their support never failed and I’m very grateful for that!”

06/11/07 - Gigi Galli Fan Day in Tokyo

“All this is unbelievable!” These are the words pronounced by Gigi about the party organised for him by the famous Japanese Rally Xpress magazine.

The last 21^st October 2007, it took place the “Gigi Galli Fan Day in Tokyo”, in Japan.

This event was planned and organised by the magazine, in order to give the possibility to the Japanese fans to spend a day with the driver of Livigno.

Though it was well-known the affection felt to the Italian driver by Japanese people, and in spite of the stop of the Gigi’s world program, it was a surprise to see so many Japanese in this event.

The formal dinner took place in the “slot car” hall in Tokyo. Although there were more than 170 requests, only 40 people could participate at the dinner!

After an in-depth interview organised by the Rally Xpress journalists as talk-show, the people spent the beautiful day among sushi, sake and challenges on the racing circuit.  

This event represents surely a strong emotional power for Gigi and his all fans. Seldom we can see such affection in the rally world.

Sayonara to everyone!

14/07/07 - Galli and Bernacchini at Beta Rally Oltrepò

Gigi Galli and Giovanni Bernacchini will be at the start of the 22nd edition of Beta Oltrepò Rally. They decided to accept the invitation of the organizers that wanted them as stars guests of one of the most spectacular Italian races.

This is a particularly technical event, with special stages climbing up the hills of the Oltrepò region. It’s also interesting because of the surrounding events.

The couple Galli-Bernacchini will take part in a Ford Focus run by Errepi Racing team.

The presence of “Gigi” and “John” will for sure attract thousands of fans that will be able to see them in action on the Italian roads after few months of break “due to circumstances”.

“We are happy to take part in Rally Oltrepò2 says Gigi, “This is a very nice race and also well organized. All the surrounding events are something unique in national rallying. I took part in this race in 2003 with a lancer Group N. That time we did well, I hope we will make another godd race this year too. Our main target anyway is to have a good time and, above all, to amuse spectators.!”

The race will start from Salice Terme at 20.01 on Friday July 20^th and entrants will immediately tackle the Super Special Stage inside the Motodrome Castelletto.

12/06/07 - Gigi thanks all his fans

"As you all know” says Gigi “after Rally Portugal, I had to stop my 2007 World Rally Championship program, through force of circumstances, although the big efforts of Aimont Racing Team, Pirelli and myself.

I really wanted to make this intervention through our web site to thank from the heart all of my fans.” Continue the driver from Livigno “During this period away from the races field I felt the support and affection of the fans. It’s been great! The messages on the guestbook, the e-mails, the banners, the home made t-shirts to forward their message and support… I’ve been astonished to see all these things and I assure you all that I’m so very proud.

Now we have in front of us a summer full of hope and waiting. I’d love to pay back your affection and support with good news, but so far we are still in a stalemate. Nevertheless I can assure you that we are working hard to try to find something that will allow us to bring on this wonderful dream we built up with labour."

Thank you once more to all of you

Gigi

03/05/07 - Gigi Galli and Aimont Racing Team cancelled their program

The 2007 world rally program of Gigi Galli and Aimont Racing Team has been officially cancelled. The difficult decision has been taken after trying to regain an important sponsor that at the beginning of the year agreed to take part in this initiative and now decided to withdraw its support to the program.
After canceling the participation in Rally Argentina, the team and the driver tried to continue their program starting from their home race, Rally Italy, but it has been impossible. Gigi Galli and Aimont Racing Team would like to thank all the sponsors that supported them so far starting from Citroen Sport, Pirelli, the Italian Federation ACI CSAI, Xideco Sport, the region of Valtellina and the town of Livigno, Sparco, Beta and Oldrati Plastic Rubber.

18/04/07 - Gigi Galli and Aimont Racing Team stopped their program in the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship

Gigi Galli and Aimont Racing Team have decided not to compete in Rally Argentina, also due to the high costs of this race and to stop, for the moment, the program they got ready for the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship.

The decision has been taken today, after careful assessment by the driver and the team, because it hasn’t been reached the agreement with an important sponsor that would have supported the driver and the team in the next races.
Gigi Galli and Aimont Racing Team are grateful to Citroen Sport and PH Sport for their support in the races disputed so far and also to Pirelli and the Italian Federation ACI CSAI for their important contribution.
“I’m really sorry we have been obliged to suspend the program”, said Gigi Galli “Unfortunately we had no other choice at the moment. I thank Pirelli that has supported me and also ACI CSAI that gave a contribution to this program as well as Livigno and Valtellina. I’m sorry not to compete in Rally Argentina a race I’m fond of and I like a lot, also because of the podium place obtained there last year. I’d like to thank the organizers that tried to help me when they heard I was not going to compete there”.

“Unfortunately our sport depends on budget” - Gigi continues - “Because of this lack of support  we cannot go on with our program and we regret we could not find any remedy. We are sorry mostly for all the people who follow us and wait during the special stages. This is what we regret most!

I wish to thank all the partners who helped me in creating this program. I also thank all my fans for their constant support”.

“Unfortunately, due to budget problems, we have been obliged to stop the program” said Pierfrancesco Zanchi, Aimont Racing Team manager “An important sponsor on which we counted, at last turned down its interest. I would like to thank personally all the partners that made this project feasible so far and in particularly Citroen Sport, PH Sport, Pirelli and the Italian Federation ACI CSAI”.

01/04/07 - Rally Portugal - Final

Gigi Galli and his co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini in a Citroen Xsara WRC brepared by PH Sport France and run by the Italian Aimont Racing Team, finished 7^th overall Rally Portugal, fifth round of the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship and third race of their 2007 world rally program, gaining two points in the championship standings.

Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena in the Citroen C4 won the race, seconds Petter Solberg and Philip Mills with Subaru Impreza WRC and thirds Daniel Sordo and Marc Marti with Citroen C4.

The third and last leg of Rally Portugal finished this afternoon with the spectacular special stage at the Algarve Stadium near Faro. Also this afternoon the stadium filled with fans and spectators, that supported with enthusiasm all competitors. Public got thrilled when after the special stage Gigi lumped on the roof of the car, together with his co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini, waving a Portuguese flag.

Today’s leg comprises 5 special stages, two to be repeated twice and the Stadium Algarve Super Special (2,03 km), that opened the rally last Thursday evening.

The race had 18 special stages (357,10 km) all of them on gravel in the Algarve region south of the country, near the town of Faro, the total length of the rally has been 1.008,70 km.

“It’s been a nice race” said Gigi Galli “Nice special stages and a good atmosphere, cheering of spectators during the super special was great. We didn’t have problems with the Xsara neither with the tyres. The felling is good but we didn’t reach the times and the results we hoped for. Now we will try to use the experience acquired here on gravel and use it at the best in our next race in Argentina and do better”.

“It’s not gone bad, since we didn’t do any tests on gravel during this month after our last outing in Norway” said Pierfrancesco Zanchi. Team Manager Aimont Racing Team “Gigi maintained a steady drive and didn’t make big mistakes. I’m very happy of the team’s job and satisfied with the Pirelli tyres that worked fine. All this give us confidence for our next race Rally Argentina at the end of the month, that we want to tackle faster. Our team is made up of three groups Aimont Racing Team, PH Sport and Pirelli, that now has a good cohesion and there is a good feeling. I also want to thank again our federation ACI (Automobile Club Italy) CSAI (Italian Car Sporting Commission) that gave us a precious support”.

31/03/07 - Rally Portugal - Second Leg

Gigi Galli and Giovanni Bernacchini in a Pirelli shod Citroen Xsara WRC prepared by PH Sport France and run by the Italian Aimont Racing Team, are 9^th overall at the end of leg one of Rally Portugal 

Loeb/Elena in the official Citroen C4 are leading, followed by the Gronholm/Rautiainen and Hirvonen/Lehtinen in the official Ford Focus RS WRC.

The second leg started this morning at 08.30 in a gloomy and rainy day, the 74 crews taking part in the race moved north-west of Faro to tackle the first special stage of the day SS Silves/Ourique 30,69 km long, the longest of the rally, containing several different characteristics, wide and fast parts, and technical sections as well.

It started raining during the night so the route was muddy and slippery.

Also the other two satges were quite long, SS Ourique 24,88 km and SS Almodovar 20,89 km,

The weather improved during the morning so for the second pass of the cars on the same stages the route was dryer.

“It’s been quite a tough day” said Gigi galli at the Service Park at the end of the leg “The first leg was very wet and we didn’t have enough grip, maybe the tyres were a little bit too hard. The second stage was not that wet and therefore it was better. In my opinion the most difficult stage of the day was SS Almodovar 20,89 km long, The second pass on these stages was better, the route was dryer, we more landmarks and the driving was smoother. Very nice the cheering of spectators and fans along the special stages”.

30/03/07 - Rally Portugal - First Leg

Gigi Galli and Giovanni Bernacchini in a Citroen Xsara WRC prepared by PH Sport Francia and run during the race by Aimont Racing Team, are 121th overall at the end of leg one at Rally Portugal, fifth round of the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship and third race of the season for the Italian driver

The French driver Loeb (Citroen) is leading, followed by Gronholm and Hirvonen both with a Ford.

Today’s leg was divided in 6 special stages, three to be repeated twice, the longest of the day was Serra de Tavira, 24,38 km.

Also today the weather was nice but a cold wind blew during the whole day. In the afternoon temperatures raise a bit.

Gigi Galli maintain a ninth place in the overall standings for the first two stages, SS Tavira (19.92 km) with some fast parts and SS Serra de Tavira (24.38 km) the longest of today’s leg. In the third stage of the day Galli suffered a puncture on the rear left tyre, six km before the end of the stage and lost 45 seconds.

This morning have been chosen medium Pirelli tyres.

In the afternoon after the Service Park of mid-day the crew tackled the second pass on the stages of the morning. In this case harder Pirelli tyres have been chosen. In the afternoon the temperature was higher and therefore the tyres wear more so it has been dicided to use harder Pirelli tyres.

“I tried to drive clean and steady without taking to many risks. I have a good feeling with the Xsara but the times are still not that good” said Gigi Galli at the end of the leg “The stages during the second pass were not cleaner as a matter of fact times didn’t improve that much in general. Now we will verify the suspensions and we need to find some more traction. We’ll see how is going to be tomorrow”

29/03/07 - Rally Portugal - Super Special Stage

This morning between 08.00 and 13.00 hrs has been disputed the Shakedown, approximately 12 kilometers from the Algarve Stadium, Rally HQ and Service Park venue, on a gravel stage of 5.04 km.

The day was sunny but cold and windy, then the temperature raise later on. Lots of people and fans visited the vast Service Park during the whole day.

At 17.30 hrs Rally Portugal officially started with the spectacular Super Special Stage of 2.03 km. The Algarve Stadium hosted approximately 20.000 spectators and the fans where  loud.

A cheerful and absorbing atmosphere was the frame of the first stage of the rally. The 80 crews taking part in the race were challenging in couples on two laps of the circuit.

The stage has been won by Gronholm (Ford) followed by Sordo (Citroen), Solberg (Subaru) and Loeb (Citroen) same time, Gigi Galli was 8^th.

“During the Shakedown we tested two different types of tyres one with a harder compound an another one with a softer one, tomorrow we’ll decide which one to use” said Pierfrancesco Zanchi team manager of Aimont racing Team “Gigi is motivated and we are all confidents”

"The Super Special Stage of this evening has been really amusing” said Gigi Galli “and the support of the fans really great. The real race is going to start tomorrow, but I’m confident and satisfied with the car and the Pirelli tyres”

23/03/07 - Gigi Galli and Aimont Racing Team supported by ACI CSAI

Gigi Galli and Aimont Racing Team will have the support of ACI (Automobile Club Italy) CSAI (Italian Car Sporting Commission) in their 2007 World Rally Championship program. The Italian Federation decided to give its contribution to the crew of Aimont Racing Team, Gigi Galli and Giovanni Bernacchini, who became now the major Italian representatives in the world rally series. The mark Team Italia ACI CSAI from now on will be displayed on the Citroen Xsara WRC, with Pirelli tyres of Galli, prepared by PH Sport France and run by Aimont Racing Team. The 2007 world rally program of the Italian team and crew, provide eight races, two already disputed last month of February, Rally Sweden and Rally Norway, and the remaining six still to be run. The next appointment for them will be Rally Portugal, 29 March – 1 April, to be followed by Rally Argentina, Rally d’Italia Sardegna, BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally, Neste Oil Rally Finland, Rally New Zealand.
“I’m really happy for the help that the Italian Federation ACI CSAI decided to grant us” said Gigi “This will strengthen and bring out our program in the 2007 World Rally Championship. I’m also very proud to be the Italian automotive sporting representative in the field of international rallying”

19/03/07 - Waiting for Portugal

While waiting Rally Portugal, we decided to sound out the mood of the Livigno driver.

Gigi the first two races of the season are over. Did you expect to be as fast as you’ve been since the beginning? Be honest…

Well actually no. We arrived in Sweden still very confused and bewildered because we closed the world rally championship program at the very last minute. Till mid January we worked and, in a certain way, fought hard in order to carry out all this. Immediately after that, almost without realizing it, we found ourselves in Sweden. The start has been astonishing. We immediately saw the potential of the Citroen Xsara WRC. After the first few special stages we were in a position we wouldn’t have expected at the debut with a new car. At that point the temptation to put ourselves to the test got the better of us. At the start of special stage 5 we decided to try keeping the pace of the top drivers, but fate warn us that we were asking for too much. It was our fifth stage with a new car that we still needed to know better. When we went off road we focused again on our purpose for this race: get to know the car as much as we could.

In Norway we started with a god pace that we maintained until special stage six. In that stage we missed a curve and we lost few precious seconds. We misinterpret stage seventh and in the eighth stage we were disadvantaged by our starting position. It was a stage with lots of cuts and when drove through the bends were quite spoilt.

During leg two we were fighting with the Solberg’s brothers for the fourth place overall. We were trying to keep a steady pace without risking too much, but then we went off the road because of a sudden thick fog. We lost two minutes there and from than on we didn’t care about the classification any more. During leg three we fought with Stohl for the sixth place. Before the last special stage, together with the team, we decided to push a little bit more and try to pass him so we started fast taking some risks. Manfred unfortunately went off road, but due to a poor phone coverage in that area, the team wasn’t able to inform us immediately, so we kept pushing hard till we’ve been informed about what happened 15 km before the end of the stage and we slowed down in order not to risk unnecessarily.

This year you and your co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini, got to Aimont Racing Team. Their skill was beyond doubt, how do you judge them after the first two races?

I’m really very satisfied. I’ve been pleasantly surprised, especially considering that we are a private team, even if Citroen is giving us a big help. They made sure I wanted for nothing. Even if this was their first experience in the World Rally Championship they did everything at the best. “Checco” (Pierfrancesco) Zanchi and Dario D’Esposito did their utmost and the result has been great. I take this opportunity to thank them and the whole team for the great job done.

Lots of words have been said about your feeling with the Citroen Xsara WRC. Would you tell us your opinion?

When I got back home I was surprised reading that some journalists wrote that the Xsara WRC is a difficult car to handle and drive. It’s not true at all. When I first drove it in Paris, I immediately noticed the good balancing it had and I crosschecked it again during these first two races in Scandinavia. The only two things I had to get used to have been the output and the six speeds gearbox. The engine of the Xsara, compared to the cars I’ve been driving so far, needs to be pushed a little bit more. We haven’t yet learned everything about the car, but  I believe we reached a good feeling and I hope I would be able to exploit it in the next races.

So far Pirelli is not directly involved in the WRC. Your performances on the Scandinavian ice proved a good efficiency of the Italian tyres. Are they going well with the Xsara WRC?

I think is too early for a final judgment. Tyres worked well and I have to admit that in some cases helped us too. During the two races on ice disputed so far we hadn’t had any problems with the studs. At that time I wasn’t able to exploit the tyres potential at my best, but I’ll try to do it in the next events. My relationship with Pirelli is deep, beyond the performances I’m proud to be bound with such a prestigious brand.

What was your reaction hearing that Pirelli won the tender for tyres supply for the next three WRC seasons?

It’s been good news. Pirelli has been involved in rallies for a long time now and as an Italian I’m happy and proud of it. They are happier than me I guess!

The warmth of your Fans Club has been strong also during the two Nordic rallies. Your fans are really unbridled…

There isn’t anything I can add to this. Words are useless in these cases. They are just great!

In Sweden a television of Argentina asked me: “How do you feel having the best fans’ club in the world?” I didn’t know what to answer, I was overwhelmed. I’m proud of them, of their warmth and of the affection they pass on to me and when people feel all this also from the outside it has an even greater value.

Your world rally championship program provides that you’ll take part in all the rallies till Neste Rally Finland. Is it a choice taken in order to maintain a certain steadiness or just a coincidence?

The choice to dispute as many races as possible in the first half of the championship has been taken because we do not have the possibility to carry out lots of tests. This is one of the main reasons.

What I’m really sorry for is not being able to take part in Rally Japan. Especially for the fans, last year, even if I was not racing there but a recce for Pirelli, they supported me and they proved affection and this warmed over my heart.

It is not over yet though. So far we do not know what’s going to happen after Rally Italy. I’m trying to find new financial resources and new help, but this is the situation we have to face now. What we have to do now is concentrate and hope for some fortune too.

In a couple of weeks Rally Portugal will start. After Rally Norway this is again a new entry in the World Rally Championship. What are your expectations?

I hope I will obtain a good result. At present this is what can help us and will be convenient too if it happens in Portugal. Now after two races I think is time to push a bit and take some risks.

     Bye folks!!!

24/02/07 - After the Swedish and Norwegian rallyes

Karlstad, Thursday 8^th, Uddeholm Swedish Rally. Gigi Galli and Giovanni Bernacchini start their new world rally season with a Citroen Xsara WRC, prepared by PH Sport and run by Aimont Racing Team, on the second round of the 2007 World Rally Championship.

“I tried the Citroen Xsara shortly before the race” said Gigi before the start “There are some differences compared with the cars I used to race with, but I have to say that it’s a car easy to drive with a good balancing. The engine needs to be used at higher revolutions and I still have to get used to the 6 speeds gearbox, that I never used before”.

These cautious and prudent declarations have been contradicted by the incredibly good times that the Italian crew posted in the special stages of the first leg, Thanks also to a good starting position they won the second special stage of the rally that was also their second stage in the Citroen Xsara.

“We started with a high pace, we saw we were doing well and we decided to push a little bit more” remembers Gigi “Anyway our objective was to get experience with the new car and be able to handle it in the best way in all kinds of conditions”.

Unfortunately the Italian crew went off road during the 5^th special stage. A right bend they took a little bit too fast made the car land in the soft snow off track and they lost over 4 minutes and consequently also several positions in the overall standings.

“Getting off the road can happen, too bad!” said Gigi “From that stage on we changed our approach to the race, we decided to proceed without taking too many risks and to finish the rally with a wealth of experience that could help us to bring on in the best way our world rally program”.

Gigi Galli and Giovanni Bernacchini in their Citroen Xsara WRC, disputed the last leg without risking too much but posting also some good times in the stages. They ended the rally 13^th overall.

Only four days after the end of Rally Sweden Gigi Galli, Giovanni Bernacchini and Aimont Racing Team were in action again in near Norway, ready to take part in their second rally of the season.

The Italian crew started without pushing or risking too much in the first stages, trying to understand the characteristics of this new route, that had more narrow and winding roads in comparison with the Swedish ones. In the next stages they raise their pace and the result is one third and one second best time, that brought the standard bearers of Aimont Racing Team in fourth position in the overall standings.

“We posted some good times” said the driver from Livigno “In the afternoon we lost some concentration, but we were still able to keep our position in the high part of the classification and this was the main thing!”

The second leg started with the long Elverum special stage, 44,28 km. Gigi kept a good pace throughout the whole day until the Lillehammer stage, where he anticipated a little bit too much a hairpin and the car got stuck in a snow bank, making him lose two minutes and the possibility to fight for the fourth place overall. “I’m getting used to the Citroen Xsara” said Gigi “Weather and road conditions were very bad! Even the smallest mistake could have cause problems and that what happened in the Lillehammer stage”.

From that stage on Gigi’s driving has been steady and controlled and that lead the Italian crew to a splendid final sixth place.

“It’s been a very difficult race”, said Gigi “The second leg has been the hardest of my entire driver’s career! Anyway we are satisfied of this result at our second rally with the Citroen Xsara and Aimont Racing Team”.

The team was satisfied too “An important sixth place for us” said Pierfrancesco Zanchi, Team Manager of Aimont Racing Team “These first two races were needed to see how to proceed, give Gigi time to get used to the car and to establish a competitive and united team. Our goal has been attained. The agreement with Pirelli has been confirmed also for the next two races Rally Portugal and Rally Argentina. Now there is a little time before our next world rally appointment and we will use it to study in depth what we’ve done and get ready for the next rounds.”

23/02/07 - Valtellina Livigno has been made official sponsor

It has been made official the sponsoring of Gigi Galli’s program in the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship by tourist board Valtellina Livigno.

The agreement has been presented today in Milan at the B.I.T. (International Tourist Exhibition) by the Provincial Tourist Councillor Maurizio Del Tenno and the Team Manager of Aimont Racing Team Pierfrancesco Zanchi.

“I’m very proud that Valtellina region and particularly Livigno, my home town, decided to support me in this new World Rally Championship season” said Gigi Galli “ I’m fond of my region and my town, that has always assisted me enthusiastically during my driver’s career. Having the mark Valtellina Livigno on my car makes me particularly glad”.

The 2007 World Rally Championship program of Gigi Galli, racing with a Citroen Xsara WRC, prepared by PH Sport France and run by Aimont Racing Team, provide eight races, two already disputed, Rally Sweden and Rally Norway. The next appointments are Rally Portugal (30 Mar./1 Apr.), Rally Argentina (4/6 May), Rally d'Italia Sardegna (18/20 Maggio), Rally Acropolis (1/3 June), Rally Finland (3/5 August), Rally New Zealand (31 Aug./2 Sept.).

20/01/07 - And after the Fan Day it's time to work seriously

It’s in the beautiful frame of Gigi Galli Fan Day that the driver from Livigno and his co-driver John Bernacchini decided to give the official announcement of the partnership with Aimont Racing to compete the 2007 season with a Citroen Xsara WRC.

Their wish was to tell this news in front to their fans, in front of all the people who came to Livigno to let him feel their enthusiasm.

“I’m used to tell that this is their party, not mine!” – says the “Gallo” talking about his fans – “Finally I can give them personally the official version of our program for 2007. Something was still lacking, but now we made real this partnership with Aimont Racing to compete with a Xsara WRC. The realisation of this partnership was also due to the support of many friends of mine that even in the saddest moments didn’t leave me alone.” – continues Gigi – “I want to thank in a particular way Xideko Sport, Pirelli, Beta, Stilo and Acerbis.”

the Italian couple doesn’t know any rest … on Sunday afternoon, immediately after the party, they quickly loaded up  their car for the depart to Valance, where on Monday and on Tuesday they had to see the new special stages of  MonteCarlo Rally.

“As soon as we were back to Italy, we went to the Sparco head office to define the last details about our new suit that we will wear this year.” – continues the driver from Livigno – “Next week we’ll go to the Citroen Sport, where we’ll have the first contact with the car we’ll use in this season. We are excited, motivated and anxious to try the Xsara WRC.”

The week before the Uddeholm Swedish Rally, indeed, Gigi and Giovanni will test their new car for one day on the Swedish roads. This will be possible thanks to the direct interest of Aimont Racing, that wants to give them the opportunity to start knowing the car.

“Now we are longing for the Swedish rally” – closes Gigi – “We’ll start with our favourite number, the 25, and this makes everithing more special. Indeed, we want to thank the rally organization for this kind grant.”

Now for all their fans the meeting is for the 8^th February to Karlstad…

14/01/07 - Galli and Bernacchini with Xsara Aimont Racing

AIMONT RACING TEAM AND THE ITALIAN DRIVER GIGI GALLI DRIVING A CITROEN XSARA WRC FOR THE 2007 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

On Thursday January 11th Aimont Racing Team and the Italian- rally driver Gigi Galli signed an agreement to compete together in 2007 in the WRC.
The program, with the help of Citroen Sport, consists in 8 world championship rallies in a Citroen Xsara WRC, with active differentials. The car will be followed technically by P.H.Sport and Pirelli will supply the tyres for the first two events. The eight rallies are as follows:

Great satisfaction and lots of enthusiasm from both sides for a deal which is really important for the entire Italian and worldwide rally panorama. These are the words pronounced by Team Manager and Vice President of Aimont, Mr. Pierfrancesco Zanchi, after signing the agreement: “I am really satisfied. Finally, after much talk, we were able to close this fantastic deal in the WRC. We had been thinking about getting Gigi to drive in this years world championship for quite some time now and at last here we are! At this time we have 8 rallies planned and we are already working on expanding that. For all of us here at Aimont this is surely a very important experience and for Gigi it will be the possibility to be in the championship with a good program. I would like to thank all the people who helped us in making all this possible, starting with Citroen Sport, the French structure P.H. Sport, Pirelli Tyres, Xideko sport, Beta Utensili, Acerbis and Stilo”.

Adding to Team manager Zanchi' s own words we have those of the driver Gigi Galli: “For us the Xsara will be a completely new car . We can not hide the fact that we are quite proud of having realized this project that only a few weeks ago seemed almost impossible. I am very satisfied to have closed the deal with the Aimont Racing Team, who I consider one of the best team in the Italian rally panorama. Regarding the first two races I would say that the rally in Sweden is a race that we know quite well while , on the other hand, the one in Norway will be almost a completely new experience for all of us. The last two years, in Sweden, we run with WRC cars so I think we know how to deal with those cars on the snow surfaces. Now we have to capitalize those past experiences”.

“Emotions in this moment are so strong” – concluded Gigi – “We know there will be difficulties but we will do everything we can in order to continue to play a leading role in the world rally championship. I have been following this dream for a long time and we are definitely ready to take this chance now.”
The rally in Sweden will take place on February 8th in Karlstad where an unedited super-special stage will be held, opening this new and enthusiastic adventure for Aimont Racing Team, P.H. Sport, Gigi Galli and his co-driver Giovanni Bernacchini.