Hyundai Motorsport has started testing ahead of the forthcoming Rally Italia Sardegna. The Korean team has run three testing days last week in the province of Oristano, on the stages of Monte Grighine, location often used by Subaru and Ford in the past. The three works drivers Thierry Neuville, Hayden Paddon and Dani Sordo exchanged at the wheel of the i20 New Generation Wrc to prepare at best their cars ahead of the Italian round of the World Rally Championship. The recent winner of Rally Argentine and unlucky protagonist in Portugal, when his car caught fire, Hayden Paddon looked very motivated. “The itinerary is quite different from last year. I have been leading that rally and closed second behind Sébastien Ogier – commented the 29yrs old driver from New Zealand. There are some new stages like the power stage, and others that we have not been running since 2014. The race will take place in the north side of the island and is going to be quite different from last year. We prepared the car at best for a rally that is definitely going to be tough and characterized by several rhythm changes. My co-driver John Kennard and I will definitely have a lot of fun and will get there to fight for top positions. We want to do our best and make a good impression, that is our main objective”.

THE RACE. Edition 2016 of the Rally Italia Sardegna is scheduled for 9–12 June and will unfold in an itinerary embracing 324,60 km timed split in 19 stages. Alghero will host the headquarters again, as service park and the press room of the event. The shakedown will kick off the programme on Thursday June 9th in Olmedo at 8.00. In the evening, the 2 km long super stage “Ittiri Arena Show” will open the race at 18.00. On 10,11,12 June the gravel roads of Mount Acuto, Sassari and Nurra will stage the three legs of the race, that will reach its conclusion on Sunday June 12th in the Alghero city harbour, with the prize ceremony scheduled in the early afternoon.