Fiat return to Rally New Zealand – Abarth Grande Punto S-WRC

Although his run ended with retirement (engine damage) it was great to see Albert Llovera in the Fiat Abarth Grande Punto this weekend. Last time I remember seeing a Fiat competing was back the late 1970s (Fulvio Baxxhelli & Francesco Rossetti won Rally NZ in a Fiat Abarth 131 in 1977).

Even more remarkable is, as a result of a ski accident, Albert drives with hand controls. Given the speed things happen in a rally car his hands must be a blur. These photos were shot at the Whangarei Remote Service and afternoon run through the Brooks Stage. A long straight, bridge jump and the tight S bend that follow make Brooks a great place to see the speed and agility of the current crop of WRC machines.