Galli new codriver for 2006

[wayno]

Gianluigi Galli will have a new co-driver in 2006. The Italian will work with Giovanni Bernacchini next year.

Guido D'Amore, who has been Galli's co-driver since 1998, will instead concentrate on the Italian Rally Championship.

“This really isn't a part company,” explained Galli on his official website. “Guido for me is like a brother, and even though once in a while we had some misunderstandings, it was never a big deal.”

“For me this was a very hard and stressed season with many races and many hours of testing,” admitted Guido D'Amore. “I really didn't had time to take care of our Family Company but especially to enjoy my first hobby – flying - the way I wanted. Nothing will change between Gigi and I, we will still be great friends, and I wish him all the great results he deserves.”

Gigi is ready to work with Bernacchini once again: “I've already competed with Bernacchini in Monte Carlo years ago, so we do know each other and we're ready to give our best in the first event of the season.”

Interesting. I've just finished watching the Rally Australia coverage that was on Foxtel which a friend kindly sent me. The atmosphere didn't look happy in the Galli car at times and maybe this has just built up to the point where the relationship was unworkable.

[Capeta]

Yeah, there were some harsh words at times in the car at Australia.

When was it this year? Rally NZ? Where Gigi whacked Guido in the head at the end of one of the stages.

Oh no, this just crossed my mind... maybe Galli is the next Francois Delecour instead of the next Makinen for Mitsubishi?

[tumbo]

Yeh but Delecour didn't have a history of attacking co-drivers, he and the GB 02 co-driver were friends but he stuffed up big time. Francois and Gratalup worked well but an accident in Australia put him out of the car for a while. Galli seems to be more of a Francois Duval to me. Might stop having ppl want to co-drive. Duval is already on his thirs in 3 yrs (the other 2 refused to be in the car w/ him lol)

[Rallying83]

Yeah I must admit that I would probably be a bigger Galli fan if it hadn't been for the NZ incident. Just don't like aggressive drivers.

Off topic what was it that delecour was yelling at his co-driver? What was it about? I have the footage but my french is rubbish
cheers

[Capeta]

If I remember correctly... the stand in co-driver called out the wrong pace note.

[tumbo]

He called out the note too late. Delecour is heard to yell "that was miles to late, too f**king late, miles to late.........F***king late....etc" something to that extent. Basically the call about the corner apex turning in wasn't said in time. Later on the co-driver said the pace of the car threw him off, alongside the 2 cars parked on the previous corner (gronholm and not mcrae but the 3rd mitsu driver) Delecour ended up in a field and out of the rally

[Mitch]

I've been doing some research on Giovanni Bernacchini. He is quite experienced. Other than navigating for Mirco Baldacci he has also navigated for Andrea Dallavilla. Dallavilla is also a experienced Italian. Bernacchini might be a move in the right direction.

I know one thing for certain: Writing Giovanni Bernacchini in a spreadsheet takes up a lot more space than Guido D'Amore! This means that Toni Gardemeister no longer is the biggest name in my spreadsheet!

Any news on Delecour. Is he doing anything in the rally community? He was a decent driver though. The move to Mitsubishi was probably the mistake which ended his career. He set a few fast times but Delecour was always better with smaller cars. He drove 206, Focus and the Escort wasn't that big! He still set some impressive stagetimes in 2002.