A factory-run Fiat Grande Punto Rally, built to Super2000 regulations and driven by Giandomenico Basso and Mitia Dotta, has won the 2006 FIA European Rally Championship with three rounds still remaining.
The title was clinched at the weekend when the Grande Punto scored a decisive victory in the Rally Vinho da Madeira.
The victory in Madeira means that Fiat has now clinched its fourth FIA European Rally Championship crown, following in the footsteps of Raffaele Pinto (Fiat 124 Sport Spider) in 1972; Maurizio Verini (Fiat Abarth 124 Rally) in 1975; and Adartico Vudafieri (Fiat 131 Abarth) in 1981.
Brian Byrne.
