The fervour gets you going first. Then the flares and bangers. The spotlights. The tyre smoke. The anti-lag and the wail of revs. Launch control and squealing tires. It’s great to be back at Rally Legend.
Its been over 4 years since my last visit to San Marino, and never in all my travels have I looked forward to an event quite like this one. I want this to be good. Like many others, I’ve felt the cruelness of rallying erode my love for it, but Thursday night’s Rally Legend prologue has lit a spark over again.
I arrived at Rally Legend Village late within the evening to seek out the encompassing hills already packed, tens of individuals deep in some areas.
![Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon (16)](https://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/12173437/Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon-16-1200x801.jpg)
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Everyone’s here to have the entire spectrum of rallying distilled down right into a single evening’s entertainment, and boy did it deliver.
![Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon (24)](https://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/12173518/Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon-24-1200x801.jpg)
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Since my last visit, Rally Legend as a brand and an event has grown exponentially. The 2023 entry list is chock filled with driving superstars, and most WRC teams now swing by the microstate to placed on a show.
![Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon (21)](https://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/12173503/Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon-21-1200x801.jpg)
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Hyundai have Dani Sordo throwing around an i20 Coupe WRC…
While Toyota Gazoo Racing team boss Jari-Matti Latvala might be wrestling the all-conquering GR Yaris Rally1 across the stages over the weekend.
![Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon (22)](https://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/12173509/Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon-22-1200x801.jpg)
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Despite their numbers, you possibly can never get bored of the best array of 555 Subaru Imprezas ever assembled as they ripped across the opening Legends Race spectator stage.
![Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon (6)](https://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/12173347/Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon-6-1200x801.jpg)
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And many other Subarus peppered the entry list too.
![Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon (12)](https://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/12173417/Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon-12-1200x801.jpg)
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Consider any WRC automotive, and most are here.
![Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon (3)](https://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/12173331/Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon-3-1200x800.jpg)
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![Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon (33)](https://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/12173602/Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon-33-1200x801.jpg)
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That features all of the Group A titans that made ’90s rallying so incredibly successful.
And even throw in a pair of EKS-built Audi A1 World Rallycross Championship Supercars for good measure.
![Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon (9)](https://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/12173401/Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon-9-1200x801.jpg)
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Although only a fun ‘warm-up’ before three days of proper special stages, some were on a push, while others pushed beyond the limit.
![Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon (2)](https://speedhunters-wp-production.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/12173327/Rally_Legend_Opening_Night_Pic_by_CianDon-2-1200x800.jpg)
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Thursday night in San Marino jogged my memory why I really like rallying, and this weekend is a likelihood to cement that feeling further. Ensure that to examine back in next week for a full review of Rally Legend 2023, as I’ve barely scratched the surface.
Cian Donnellan
Instagram: Ciandon
Facebook: CianDonPhotography
This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com