Yesterday the presentation in Zoppola with the mayor Papais in honor of the “Caco” Azzaretti. Track modified in extremis due to water on Tagliamento and Cosa. The evaluations of the world champion bajas Ruoso and tricolor cross country Codecà were positive. All the best protagonists of the car, motorcycle and quad World Cup are at the start Moments of emotion yesterday in the town hall in Zoppola, during the press conference for the presentation of the XXI Italian Baja, the world off-road race that will be staged from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 March in the splendid scenery of the "serious" rivers between the Meduna, Cosa and Tagliamento. The opening of the race with the Claudio "Caco" Azzaretti Memorial dedicated to one of its founding fathers was greeted with an ovation from the large audience, and his daughter Donatella commented: "Dad felt the Baja as one of his beloved women , the Fuoristrada club was his family and the "grave" clubs represented a space of infinite freedom a stone's throw from home ". During the ceremony another special memory concerned Roberto Casetta, technical commissioner who had exemplary human and professional qualities, and the organizer Mauro Tavella gave a plaque to the family. NEW ROUTE. The opening superspecial stage has been confirmed on Friday 14 between the fords of the Meduna from Cordenons to Zoppola (9.20 km, car start at 16:30). However, the heavy rains of the last two months have forced to modify the original route, which will no longer pass within the banks of the Cosa stream and the Tagliamento River, but will instead be divided into two selective sectors to be repeated a total of 5 times. On Saturday 15 March the tests will be called "Pasch" (44 km from Cordenons to Tauriano) and "Cosa" (19 km from Cosa to Ponte della Delizia), with three test passes. On Sunday in reverse the tests “Valvasone” (19 km from Ponte della Delizia to Cosa) and “Mosaico” (44 km from Tauriano to Cordenons). SATISFACTION OF THE CHAMPIONS. For different reasons, the world champion biker Alessandro Ruoso and the Italian cross country rally champion Lorenzo Codecà said they were satisfied with the changes in the route. Ruoso because the “marathon” lap scheduled for the motorcycles on Sunday (two consecutive passes on the tests with only a stop for refueling) could mark the differences in value between the competitors. Codecà because staying away from the pitfalls of the shores increases the chances of success for his tricolor Suzuki Grand Vitara. ATTENTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT. The environmental responsibility act of a truly global competition (competing competitors from 3 continents) is in the "Zero Impact" brand obtained by the Italian Baja having purchased hectares of forest in Costa Rica to offset the production of carbon dioxide attributable to 'event. Also this year at the Pordenone Fair, the service park will use the electricity produced by the photovoltaic system. SOCIAL COMMITMENT. Last year the 4x4 Club 4x4 promoted a fundraising in favor of the youth area of the Cro di Aviano. "This time the commitment of our association - explained Tavella, to the great satisfaction of the mayor of Zoppola, Francesca Papais - will be addressed to the Ideal Standard committee, to support the families of workers in difficulty". A social commitment also characterized by the initiative of the non-profit organization "Uno di noi" by Gianluca Tassi which, during the three days of competition, will hold free introductory driving courses for the disabled, in collaboration with Ironwhire. BIASION TESTIMONIAL. Super Miki will compete with a Mitsubishi L200 prepared by Ralliart and will be able to give a hard time to the Russian favorites Gadasin and Vasilyev, the Saudi Al-Rajhi and the Brazilian Varela. But fans and enthusiasts will be able to enjoy him even more closely by participating in the special meeting with him at the Fair in Pordenone (Friday evening 14 March, starting at 9 pm), organized by the 4x4 Club, Knife Racing and RinnovaMente.
Carlo Ragogna Italian Baja Press Office
