Stobart Ford's
Gigi Galli will be extra determined to shine this weekend, as the Rally d'Italia Sardegna is his home round in the World Rally Championship.
Galli has managed to score points on four of the five rounds so far this season and this will be his seventh attempt at an Italian round of the WRC and his third on the island of Sardinia.
Gigi's best result came in 2004 when he finished sixth outright and first in the Group N category.
After missing the event last season he is raring to go and, urged along by the large crowds who travel to the island for Italy's premier off-road event, he will be seeking his second podium finish of the year, to add to the third place he notched up in Sweden back in February.
"Well finally we have come to my home rally! Sardinia is a very nice island, quite wild in some parts, and some of the stages run through beautiful landscapes. I've taken part in this race a few times since it was moved to Sardinia in 2004," he noted.
"It is a very technical, tricky and difficult rally with very hard gravel roads and lots of loose stones.
"One of the stages I like most is Monte Lerno, the one with a very big jump that is so easy to catch out unwary drivers. I am really look forward to getting there, to see all the Italian fans, and hopefully we can find the right rhythm and pace from the beginning."
M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson is convinced Galli will turn it on in front of his home supporters and be a contender for a rostrum result.
"This event will provide another good opportunity for the Stobart team to pick up some good results after a fine effort in Jordan where all three crews finished in the points.
"I was pleased that Gigi found his pace in Jordan and hopefully he can take this speed into his home rally; I feel confident he'll be battling for a podium here," Wilson Sr concluded.
