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Geko Ypres Rally – Another international challenge for Luca Rossetti

The 2010 European Champion, currently ranked second in the European series, Luca Rossetti will be at the start of the fourth round of the 2011 European Rally Championship, the Geko Ypres Rally, also valid as the fifth round of the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge, which will take place in Belgium, in the beautiful town of Ypres, from Thursday June 23^rd to Saturday 25^th.

With his usual codriver Matteo Chiarcossi, Luca Rossetti, fresh from the victory at the 38^th Rally Croatia, will drive the Abarth Grande Punto S2000 and take part for the third time in his career in the prestigious Belgian race, a race that he won in his debut in 2007, and where he finished third in 2008.

The participation in the Geko Ypres Rally was made possible thanks to the support of Luca Rossetti's   advertising partners, I.L.I.R., Di Vita, Damaplast and Champagne De Vilmont. Luca Rossetti, determined as usual, said: "After the success of last year, I chose to take part in the European Championship together with United Business, the company that takes care of my management since several years, the results last year proved us right, we are confident for 2011 as well, I am aware that winning the title this year will be much more difficult than in previous years, my experience has taught me that to win a championship we must never lose an opportunity to score points. The Geko Ypres Rally is a tough race, but it also was one of the most important and unforgettable of my career, the victory of 2007 will always be in my heart. The location of this rally is beautiful, the race is followed by many fans, I will be at the start to honour a rally that is one of the most beautiful and important in the world, I am aware that it will not be easy to get a positive result, but this race is an opportunity to defend the European title and if possible to try to regain my leadership in the Championship. Racing abroad with the ambition to do well is always very difficult, in Ypres moreover the opponents are strong, or me it is an exciting challenge which I hope to honour with a good performance, it will not be easy to repeat the result of 2007, but I trust in the qualities of my Abarth Grande Punto and in the professionalism of my team".

After the victory in Croatia Rally the Italian crew will do everything to recover its leadership in the European Rally Championship. The calendar of the FIA championship after the Belgian race continues with Rally Bulgaria, Rally Vinho de Madeira, Barum Czech Rally Zlin, Rally Principe de Asturias, Rally Poland, Rallye Antibes Côte d'Azur and ends with the Rallye International du Valais.