The competitive phase of the 23rd Tirreno Messina Rally has begun, organized by Top Competition with the support of the Metropolitan City of Messina, an event valid for the ACI Sport 9th Zone Rally Cup and for the Sicilian Rally Championship. After the technical and sporting checks, the event is preparing to experience one of the most awaited moments: the starting ceremony from Piazza Duomo in Messina, at 11.15pm. There will be 66 crews from the Modern Rally and 8 from the Historic Rally and Classic Cars to leave the platform in the heart of the city of the Strait, in an evocative setting that will accompany the return of the Tirreno Messina Rally to its most fascinating dimension, that of the night race. The program includes 9 special tests, for a total of 64.17 timed kilometres, within an overall route of 313.89 kilometres. The challenge will start with the San Rizzo, scheduled at 00.31, 04.10 and 07.49; Roccavaldina will follow at 01.24, 05.03 and 08.42, while Rometta will be faced at 01.46, 05.25 and 09.04. Two regroupings are scheduled during the race, at 02.59 and 06.38, which will precede the respective 30-minute service park periods at the PalaRescifina sports centre, where teams and technical structures will be busy managing the cars and carrying out the interventions required by the regulations. In the morning, the shakedown provided the first indications on the work carried out by the drivers and teams, allowing the crews to check the behavior of the cars and refine the final details in view of the race. The ones who stood out during the test stretch were Marcello Rizzo and Andrea Nastasi, who made the best use of the shakedown to complete the development work and define the final details on their respective cars in view of the night challenge.
The statements of the protagonists
The test for Andrea Minchella from Lazio was also particularly significant, having his first experience on the roads of the Tirreno Messina Rally, a route that over the years has represented an important testing ground for numerous protagonists of the specialty, thanks to technical characteristics that require precision, experience and ability to adapt. Some comments from the protagonists, ready to face the long night of the 23rd Rally Tirreno Messina: Marcello Rizzo declared: «It’s my home race and I will always try to give my best. This time I am supported by a young navigator, from Lazio, who however already has experience in the Italian Championship and I am sure that she will be able to support me in this new participation, which I particularly care about. The shakedown went well, we made some small adjustments and now we are ready for this evening’s departure.” «It’s a thrill to start with the number one from this platform which over time has seen international level protagonists» commented Salvatore Di Benedetto Cristoforo, «Probably the organization entrusted me with the start first by virtue of the position I currently occupy, second place in the 9th Zone Rally Cup ranking». Andrea Nastasi added: «Despite being from Trapani, this is like a home race for me and we will give our best to aim for the top. After the success at the CRZ of the Targa Florio, an important placing at the Tirreno Messina would certainly be a prestigious result.” Alessio Profeta explained: «We owe a debt to fate for some unforeseen events that have affected us in the last few races. We therefore hope to be able to do well, initially gain confidence with this car and then try to enter the challenge with the other two-wheel drive protagonists.” Rosario Cannino concluded: «For me it is a return after a year of inactivity, practically the first race of the season. I need to get back into the rhythm, do the kilometers and rediscover the feeling needed to be competitive.”