Abarth's Giandomenico Basso has said that he is confident they can turn their fortunes around this year, beginning with the Madeira Rally in a few weeks time, the next round in the 2008 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
The Italian finished third recently on the Rally Russia while his team-mate Anton Alen was second in the sister car, despite being severely delayed by a double puncture on the opening day, that compromised his chances of winning.
Basso, who won the Madeira Rally last year and who will be the first car off the start ramp, added that they have the potential to do very well.
"I think everyone had a few problems in Russia, but on the whole our performance was good as it showed both pace and consistency," he stated. "Of course we have to keep on testing and working to improve the package, but the Grande Punto is fundamentally a very good car and we have made a lot of progress compared to last year.
"Naturally our rivals have moved on as well, but this is the nature of competition in any sport."
Basso put in a dominant drive in Madeira in 2007, and he can't wait to return to the island and get back on asphalt: "It's a very nice rally, which I enjoy a lot," he continued. "The competition will be even stronger this year, but I start with the aim of trying to win. The season hasn't got off to the best start for us, but I am confident that we can turn it round."
In total 66 crews will contest the fifth round in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and in addition to Basso, Corrado Fontana and Luca Betti both return to the IRC in Peugeot 207 S2000s. European Rally champion Renato Travaglia is also back in his Abarth Grande Punto.
However one of the biggest draws will be joint IRC series leader Luca Rossetti, who is currently tied with Nicolas Vouilloz at the head of the standings on 26 points. For Rossetti, who drives for Peugeot Italy, Madeira represents a golden opportunity to reclaim the initiative at the head of the points table after missing the round in Russia.
![Giandomenico Basso in action on the Madeira Rally - the fifth round of the 2007 Intercontinental Rally Challenge [Pic credit: IRC]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/358251.jpg)
