Stobart Ford's
Gigi Galli endured a tough outing on the Acropolis Rally last weekend, but despite all his problems, it wasn't all bad and on the final day he won the inaugural '
Colin McRae Trophy'.
Gigi had gone into the seventh round in the World Rally Championship in a buoyant mood following a great drive to fourth on the previous event in Sardinia, however, it soon went pear-shaped and he was forced out on the second stage, when he hit a rock and broke the front, right track control arm in the suspension.
Re-starting on day two, Galli was keen to show what might have been and he posted two fastest stage times on the morning loop, before disaster struck in transit to the first test after service and he was sidelined with a hydraulic issue.
It was a similar situation on the Sunday, when he took advantage of the SupeRally again, setting the pace in SS16 and SS17, before once again hitting a rock and being forced out.
The time he set in the 15.14 kilometre Avlonas stage, however, was important and with an average speed of 100.77kph, he set the highest speed of any crew on any test and that was good enough to see him take the prize that was created to commemorate McRae, who was tragically killed in a helicopter accident last September.
"It is a very special feeling and a big honour to receive this award. Colin was a great hero of mine and to be compared to him is a real pleasure," said Gigi. "My rally has not gone according to plan but I pushed as hard as I could when I could to get some fastest times.
"I'm sure he would have done the same thing in that position. People say we drive in the same style with a lot of energy and passion and it is fantastic when I hear this. Even with a bad rally this has really lifted my spirits."
Gigi is now hoping he will have a bit more luck in Turkey in two weeks time, so that he can go into the summer break on a high.
"This has been a cruel rally for us, I knew it would be tough but the conditions were very difficult indeed as you can see from the problems we had on all three days," he continued.
