Fiat UK backs Stilo team for Rally GB.

Fiat Auto UK has confirmed that it will support a three-car 'junior team' on this year's Wales Rally GB in September, promising to run three 'exciting young drivers' in Stilo Cup-spec cars.

The official Fiat Auto UK entry will be headed by 22-year old Leon Pesticcio, who will be swapping his usual Punto S1600 seat for a Stilo drive, and will be partnered, as usual, by the experienced Tim Sturla. The pair have had a busy year so far, with forays on the British and Italian national championships, as well as rounds of the JWRC.

Joining them will be Italian duo Andrea Perego and Claudio Vischioni, who are current favourites to lift the 2004 Italian Trofeo Stilo championship. They currently lead the series with just two rounds remaining, but the 23-year old Perego will face a stiffer challenge in September as he makes his UK and WRC debut in Wales.

The third team member is Chris Davies, the leading junior at the halfway point of the 2004 UK Fiat Stilo Rally Cup series. The 19-year old Abergavenny native joins Fiat Auto UK's squad with co-driver, and fellow Welshman, Nathan Parry. Like Perego, the crew will be making its WRC debut, and, as the youngest member of the team, Davies will join Pesticcio in representing Wales in an event that is gradually making the Principality its home.

Fiat Auto UK has indicated that it intends to continue its support of UK rally juniors through the Fiat Stilo Rally Cup in 2005, and a number of possible incentives are currently under consideration.