Andrea Mabellini brings home the Fiorio Cup
After the crowd bath that welcomed the eight drivers who showed up on Saturday on Ceglie’s Piazza Plebiscito and spectacular fireworks that greeted the drivers on their last pass in front of the timekeepers at the end of the night test, the curtain fell on the fifth edition of the Fiorio Cup, the now traditional challenge between Italian and European drivers that takes place in the Masseria Camarda area that has been Cesare Fiorio’s residence and internationally renowned resort for years.
After three consecutive successes by Italian Champion Andrea Crugnola and one success by World Champion, Finland’s Kalle Rovanpera, it was European Vice Champion Andrea Mabellini who got the better of Frenchman Pierre Loubet and Spaniard Jan Solans. Surprisingly in fourth place was the Frenchwoman, considered the heir to Michèle Mouton,Sarah Rumeau who got the better of Tamara Molinaro who after a very promising start paid for a series of errors in the afternoon trials that ousted her from the podium zone that seemed within her reach.
In the two trials in the morning the dominator was Loubet who was immediately at ease in the Toyota Yaris while both Mabellini and Trentin struggled and their difficulties were taken advantage of by both Rumeau and Molinaro in difficulty, however, to fend off a very strong-willed Solans who was a real surprise for Italian fans.
In the afternoon two trials were scheduled. Loubet most likely thought he could control the race since he had a handful of seconds lead. The Frenchman, a “son of art” – his father was also a Lancia driver – did not expect a very decisive response from the two young Italian drivers, especially Mabellini.
According to tradition, it was the last stage of the day, the night stage, that gave a definitive face to the standings. On the 4 kilometers and 150 Trentin and Mabellini, while not doing better than Solans occupied the second and third positions forcing Loubet to the fourth place which became a very heavy placing in the negative while for Mabellini the third place meant, made the discard of the worst score, the top of the standings and the conquest of the fifth Fiorio Cup.
A keen observer of the last round was Cesare Fiorio who commented, “As has often been the case in so many races, including world ones, for many racing in the headlights turns out to be a trap because many references are lost, so it was today as well. Once again an Italian has won and this should be a stimulus to a greater consideration in the products of our house. However, congratulations also to Loubet who drove very well, I was pleased that he responded to our invitation, I was a great admirer of Yves, his father, I wish him a career full of satisfaction. Unfortunately Molinaro was less than expected but she had to face the almost unknown by us, Sarah Rumeau. I don’t know if she will also be a champion, she certainly drives very well, with great determination.”
The Fiorio Cup was not only a challenge between eight drivers but also a comparison between the Italian rally school and that of other European countries, in practice the Fiorio Cup was an Italy VS Europe.
Europe prevailed by 69 points to Italy’s 60.
“The result was uncertain until the very last. Congratulations to Rumeau,Loubet, Solans and Delecour . Our youngsters, Trentin and Mabellini held their own and this result is very significant. Appointment for all for the next edition of the Fiorio Cup, we close in beauty this edition always with the knowledge that the public appreciates this kind of races” is the wish of Alex Fiorio the real deus ex machina of the whole organization and with him his daughter Maria Paola and Alessandro Bruschetta .
