Romanian pilot Simone Tempestini took fourth place, on Sunday, in the Rally di Roma Capitale, the fifth stage of the European Rally Championship (FIA ERC).
Simone Tempestini. PHOTO: The Truth Archive
The crew of Simone Tempestini/Sergiu Itu (Skoda Fabia RS) finished with a time of 1 h 53 min 43 sec 0/10. The victory went to the Italians Andrea Crugnola/Pietro Ometto (Citroen C3), in 1 h 53 min 10 sec 9/10, followed by compatriots Simone Campedelli/Tania Canton (Skoda Fabia RS), in 22 sec 3/10, and the Spaniards Efren Llarena/Sara Fernandez (Skoda Fabia RS), at 27 sec 9/10/.
Born in Italy to Italian parents, Simone has lived in Romania since he was 14 years old and became a Romanian citizen in 2016, the year in which he also became WRC junior world champion. Domestically, the pilot from Cluj has no less than 8 absolute champion titles, and if he wins again this year, he will surpass the legendary Titi Aur in the all-time ranking.
The Rally di Roma Capitale 2024 was also attended by the only quadriplegic driver who competes at international level, Ciprian Lupu from Brasov, who already entered the record book a year ago for the title he won domestically among debutants. Lupu, who had Andrei Aiţculesei on the right, on a Renault Clio Rally5 adapted and approved for his needs, ranked last, 32nd, in 2 h 27 min 27 sec 5/10.
In the overall driver standings, New Zealander Hayden Paddon (sixth in Italy), the reigning continental champion, is the leader, with 89 points, followed by French Mathieu Franceschi (fifth), 82 points, and Tempestini, 59 points, And so on
There are three races left this season, in the Czech Republic, Great Britain and Poland.
