2001 Rally 1000 Miglia Launches European Championship and New Initiatives
The 25th edition of the 1000 Miglia Rally was officially launched on Sunday. Taking place in the exclusive and charming Bellevue room at the Cafè de Paris in Montecarlo, the Brescia-based motorsport event has officially joined the 2001 Rally European Championship.
Entries for the race open on February 1 and close on February 16. During the event, which was attended by journalists from leading Italian, French, and English newspapers, Vittorio Palazzani and Vincenzo Tenchini, the organizers, in collaboration with Giuliano Garagna, the Tourism Councillor of Desenzano del Garda, highlighted the technical features of the 2001 Rally 1000 Miglia edition and, most notably, the collateral initiatives.
Initiatives and collaborations
These include the twinning between the cities of Desenzano del Garda, Antibes (France), and Ypres (Belgium) — hosts of the 1000 Miglia, Antibes d’Azur, and Ypres Westhoek rallies — and the cultural-tourism promotion of the region.
Over the years, the Organizing Committee of A.C. Brescia has distinguished itself on the international motor racing scene for the technical choices it has adopted. Notable examples include the bold ‘relocation’ from Brescia to Desenzano, the reduction in the number of competitors allowed, and the track layout aligned with new directives.
These measures have enabled the achievement of the primary goal: promotion to the highest certification granted by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile for the Brescia race.
The championship schedule
Now, the staff of the Rally 1000 Miglia has the task of kicking off the 2001 European Rally Championship with ten races bearing a coefficient of 20: 29-31/03 Rally 1000 Miglia; 19-22/04 Corte Inglés (E); 4-6/05 Rally Turkey; 18-20/05 Albena Rally (BG); 7-9/06 Rally Poiski; 29/06 – 1/07 Ypres Wethoek Rally (B); 19-22/07 ADAC Rally Deutschland (D); 2-4/08 Vinho Madeira Rally (P); 7-9/09 Rally Elpa Halkidikis (GR); 12-14/10 Rally d’Antibes-d’Azur (F).
Desenzano del Garda is pleased to host this event, which has become one of the sporting events supported by the Regione Lombardia. The agreement between Rally 1000 Miglia and Desenzano del Garda extends the partnership until 2003.
The lakeside town will remain one of the main venues, hosting the rally caravan. The Race Directorate will be located inside the Palarazzo del Turismo; the Press Room will be set up at the Park Hotel; the Start will be given from the lakeside boulevard.
The race route has been adjusted to facilitate competitors’ movements and will include six different Special Stages, with returns to the Service Park at the Cunettone in Salò every three SS.
A much-appreciated Show Stage, “City of Desenzano”, at the Kartodromo South Garda in Lonato, will be held only once, on Thursday 29th at 17:39. One hundred twenty crews are allowed to participate, with entries opening on February 1 and closing on February 16.