Silvia Franchini secures first-in-class victory at the Rally del Gargano

The 13th Rally del Gargano held in the city of Vieste, proved challenging for Silvia Franchini and her partner Nicoletta Deidda, in the next stage of the Aci Rally Cup.

Bad weather turned any initial winning predictions on their head, as the already difficult elements of the course proved even harder.

The event was structured around several sections – firstly, 3 timed sections on the Saturday, immediately after the departure from Vieste, which wind along the roads of Peschici and San Menaio, a hamlet of Vico del Gargano. The cars then returned to Vieste on Saturday evening, to leave again on Sunday morning to head towards Mattinata, where the first of the 6 special tests of the day took place. The route then included a return to Peschici and San Menaio, for a double lap on the time trial courses.

From the start, as the teams set off for Peschici, the conditions became difficult, and the section had to be suspended, with Silvia and the other vehicles forced to take an alternative route. Advancing to Vico instead, Silvia and Nicoletta fought their way through the slippery, muddy terrain in their Davanti-branded Mini Cooper S to achieve a great time.

Hopeful for better weather on the Sunday, Silvia was instead faced with more mixed and unpredictable conditions. After a shaky start, she managed to strengthen their position, and after the relentless weather forced the organisers to cancel yet another part of the course, a return to a previous section proved advantageous for Silvia. She finished first in the Racing Start Turbo 1.6 class, first in the women’s category and 33rd overall.

Silvia commented:

“The Rally del Gargano is one of those experiences that leaves its mark – whether that’s for the charming scenery or the beauty of the tests, both fast and technical. Now, we can go into the final at Cassino ready to give our best and win the cup!”