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.
Everyone’s here to have the entire spectrum of rallying distilled down right into a single evening’s entertainment, and boy did it deliver.
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.
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.
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.
And many other Subarus peppered the entry list too.
Consider any WRC automotive, and most are here.
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.
Although only a fun ‘warm-up’ before three days of proper special stages, some were on a push, while others pushed beyond the limit.
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
