Zoom A big challenge for BFGoodrich this week-end

Following its dropping from the WRC in 2004, the 50th edition of the legendary Rallye Sanremo will now take place within the framework of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

In the course of its glittering history, the Italian fixture has been the scene of many landmark moments at both world class and national levels, from the Lancia era to Miki Biasion's title-winning year, and from the Peugeot 'affair' to Michèle Mouton's triumph in 1981.

Tyre brand BFGoodrich, which will have many partners in action this weekend, and which has also entered a Peugeot 207 S2000 in the colours of the BFGoodrich Drivers Team, is proud to be a major player of the 50th Rallye Sanremo.

Every year, rallying enthusiasts and professionals ask the same question: what is it about the Rallye Sanremo that we like so much? The quaint charm of the Italian Riviera resort? Its pleasant autumn weather? Its bustling streets? Its majestic casino? Its belle époque hotels? Or perhaps the truffle pasta served at the Il Toscano restaurant, the aroma of Dall'ava olive oil... or the smell of castor oil on such classic stages as Monte Ceppo, Bajardo, San Romolo or Colla di Langan?

This year, one of its main draws is undoubtedly its route, and above all Thursday evening's nighttime loop, the awesome 59.99km Ronde test, a metre shy of 60km in order to stay on the correct side of the regulations. The first car is due to start this great stage at one minute before 11pm...

"It promises to be an unforgettable experience for the drivers," enthuses BFGoodrich's IRC Programme manager Jacques Morelli. "A big bravo to the Sanremo organisers. Long, selective stages like this are a sign of how the IRC is returning to the sport's roots."

"That said, it won't be an easy stage for us," he admits. "The prospect of tackling 60km on such abrasive asphalt without interruption, with the likelihood of damp portions under the trees, promises to be a major challenge, but we accept it gladly!"

The 2007 event saw BFGoodrich's partners pull out a decisive advantage over their rivals over the nighttime loop which was a 'mere' 44km long twelve months ago.

"The durability of the soft compound g-Force Profiler A01 enabled Luca Rossetti and Giandomenico Basso to pull out a gap ahead, while Vouilloz moved up five positions overall," recalls Morelli. "The second leg then saw the hard compound g-Force Profiler enable BFGoodrich runners to secure the top four places overall at the finish."