Alex Fiorio
Encyclopedia
Alessandro "Alex" Fiorio (born 10 March 1965) is an Italian
rally
driver. He debuted in the World Rally Championship
in 1986. Driving the dominant Lancia Delta Integrale for the Lancia
"B-team" Jolly Club
, he finished third in the drivers' world championship in 1988 and second in 1989. His father Cesare Fiorio
was a former racer, the head of Lancia's factory WRC team and sporting director for Scuderia Ferrari
.
career in 1986
, competing for the Jolly Club
team in five WRC events in a Fiat Uno Turbo. He retired in his first four rallies and then finished seventh at his home event, the Rallye Sanremo
, where the stewards controversially disqualified the French Peugeot
team and handed victory to home country's Lancia
. As the FIA later annulled the results of the whole event, Fiorio lost his first drivers' championship points. In the 1987 season
, Fiorio continued with Jolly Club and competed in a Group N
Lancia Delta HF 4WD in six events. He took three wins in the production car class, and won the inaugural FIA Group N Cup (now the Production World Rally Championship
). At the Rallye Sanremo, he competed with a Group A
Delta HF 4WD and finished seventh overall, taking his first WRC points.
In 1988
, Fiorio drove a Delta Integrale in the WRC. He finished second at the Monte Carlo Rally
, the Rally Portugal, the Olympus Rally
and the Rallye Sanremo, and took third place at the Acropolis Rally in Greece, each time losing the win to fellow Delta drivers. These results placed him third in the drivers' world championship, behind Lancia factory team drivers Miki Biasion and Markku Alén
.
Fiorio's 1989 season
started with a bad accident at the Monte Carlo Rally
. He lost control of his Delta Integrale on the fifth stage, and crashed into the crowd at about 145 km/h (90 mph), killing two spectators – Swedish rally driver Lars-Erik Torph
and his co-driver Bertil-Rune Rehnfeldt – and injuring three others. Fiorio and his co-driver Luigi Pirollo were unhurt. Fiorio went on to finish second in Argentina
and Sanremo, third in Portugal and Greece and fourth at a new WRC round, the Rally Australia
. With 65 points, he placed second in the drivers' championship, behind Biasion and ahead of Toyota's Juha Kankkunen
. In 1990
, Fiorio drove to his last podium finish with a Lancia factory team Delta Integrale 16V in Australia. With three other points-scoring finishes to his name, he placed ninth in the drivers' championship.
In 1991
, Fiorio drove a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4 in four events with ninth place in Sanremo as his best result. The 1992 season saw him return to the wheel of a Delta Integrale with the Astra Racing team. He finished fourth at the Rally Argentina and at the Rally Catalunya
, fifth at the Rallye Sanremo and seventh at the Acropolis Rally. Fiorio then continued with Astra in the 1993 season again competing in four selected events. His best result was fifth in Catalunya. In 1994, Fiorio competed in only two WRC events, retiring with a Ford Escort RS Cosworth
in Portugal and taking fourth place with a Delta HF Integrale at the Acropolis Rally. In the European Rally Championship
(ERC), he won the Cyprus Rally
for the third year in a row. In his only world rally in 1995, he took his Escort RS Cosworth to eighth place in Portugal.
After making a comeback to the WRC by competing at his home event in 2000 and 2001, Fiorio went on to do a full Production World Rally Championship programme for the Ralliart Italia
team in 2002. He took his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 7
to production car class victory at the Rally Finland
, and finished fifth in the PWRC drivers' championship. After retiring from the WRC, Fiorio has competed in the ERC and in the Italian Rally Championship.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
rally
Rallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
driver. He debuted in the World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
in 1986. Driving the dominant Lancia Delta Integrale for the Lancia
Lancia
Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia and which became part of the Fiat Group in 1969. The company has a long history of producing distinctive cars and also has a strong rally heritage. Some modern Lancias are seen as presenting a more...
"B-team" Jolly Club
Jolly Club
Jolly Club was a Italian racing team, which competed in the World Rally Championship and Formula 1, it was mainly connected to brands like Lancia and Alfa Romeo. It was created in 1957 in Milan by idea of Mario Angiolini, the team won several championships...
, he finished third in the drivers' world championship in 1988 and second in 1989. His father Cesare Fiorio
Cesare Fiorio
Cesare Fiorio is a former Formula One sporting director for Ferrari, Ligier and Minardi, and former team manager of Lancia's factory World Rally Championship team. He is currently employed as a TV commentator...
was a former racer, the head of Lancia's factory WRC team and sporting director for Scuderia Ferrari
Scuderia Ferrari
Scuderia Ferrari is the racing team division of the Ferrari automobile marque. The team currently only races in Formula One but has competed in numerous classes of motorsport since its formation in 1929, including sportscar racing....
.
Jolly Club (1986-90)
Fiorio began his World Rally ChampionshipWorld Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
career in 1986
1986 World Rally Championship season
The 1986 World Rally Championship season was the 14th season of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile World Rally Championship . The season consisted of 13 rallies, including all twelve venues of the previous season as well as the addition of the Olympus Rally...
, competing for the Jolly Club
Jolly Club
Jolly Club was a Italian racing team, which competed in the World Rally Championship and Formula 1, it was mainly connected to brands like Lancia and Alfa Romeo. It was created in 1957 in Milan by idea of Mario Angiolini, the team won several championships...
team in five WRC events in a Fiat Uno Turbo. He retired in his first four rallies and then finished seventh at his home event, the Rallye Sanremo
Rallye Sanremo
Rallye Sanremo is a rally competition held in Sanremo, Italy. Except for the 1995 event, the event was part of the FIA World Rally Championship schedule from the 1973 season to the 2003 season. Currently, it is a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the Italian national rally...
, where the stewards controversially disqualified the French Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
team and handed victory to home country's Lancia
Lancia
Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia and which became part of the Fiat Group in 1969. The company has a long history of producing distinctive cars and also has a strong rally heritage. Some modern Lancias are seen as presenting a more...
. As the FIA later annulled the results of the whole event, Fiorio lost his first drivers' championship points. In the 1987 season
1987 World Rally Championship season
The 1987 World Rally Championship season was the 15th season of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile World Rally Championship . The season consisted of 13 rallies in the same venues of the previous season...
, Fiorio continued with Jolly Club and competed in a Group N
Group N
In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group N refers to a set of regulations providing 'standard' production vehicles for competition, often referred to as the "Showroom Class"....
Lancia Delta HF 4WD in six events. He took three wins in the production car class, and won the inaugural FIA Group N Cup (now the Production World Rally Championship
Production World Rally Championship
The FIA Production World Rally Championship, or PWRC, is a companion rally series to the World Rally Championship, and is driven on the same stages. PWRC is limited to production-based cars homologated under the Group N. The series began in 2002, replacing the FIA Group N Rally Championship...
). At the Rallye Sanremo, he competed with a Group A
Group A
In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, the Group A referred to production-derived vehicles limited in terms of power, weight, allowed...
Delta HF 4WD and finished seventh overall, taking his first WRC points.
In 1988
1988 World Rally Championship season
The 1988 World Rally Championship season was the 16th season of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile World Rally Championship...
, Fiorio drove a Delta Integrale in the WRC. He finished second at the Monte Carlo Rally
Monte Carlo Rally
The Monte Carlo Rally or Rally Monte Carlo is a rallying event organised each year by the Automobile Club de Monaco which also organises the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix and the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. The rally takes place along the French Riviera in the Principality of Monaco and...
, the Rally Portugal, the Olympus Rally
Olympus Rally
The Olympus Rally is an event in the motorsport of rallying. While it has usually been run as a national rally, in 1986-1988, it was a round in the FIA World Rally Championship, the most recent time a WRC rally has been run in the United States....
and the Rallye Sanremo, and took third place at the Acropolis Rally in Greece, each time losing the win to fellow Delta drivers. These results placed him third in the drivers' world championship, behind Lancia factory team drivers Miki Biasion and Markku Alén
Markku Alén
Markku Allan Alén is a Finnish former rally and race car driver. He drove for Fiat, Lancia, Subaru and Toyota in the World Rally Championship, and held the record for most stage wins in the series until 2011...
.
Fiorio's 1989 season
1989 World Rally Championship season
The 1989 World Rally Championship season was the 17th season of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile World Rally Championship . The season consisted of 13 rallies, with some adjustments to the schedule versus the previous season...
started with a bad accident at the Monte Carlo Rally
Monte Carlo Rally
The Monte Carlo Rally or Rally Monte Carlo is a rallying event organised each year by the Automobile Club de Monaco which also organises the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix and the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. The rally takes place along the French Riviera in the Principality of Monaco and...
. He lost control of his Delta Integrale on the fifth stage, and crashed into the crowd at about 145 km/h (90 mph), killing two spectators – Swedish rally driver Lars-Erik Torph
Lars-Erik Torph
Lars-Erik Torph was a Swedish rally driver. He debuted in the World Rally Championship in 1980 and took his first points at his home event, the Swedish Rally, in 1984. Driving a Toyota Celica TCT, a Toyota Supra 3.0i and an Audi Coupé Quattro, he went on to finish on the podium four times...
and his co-driver Bertil-Rune Rehnfeldt – and injuring three others. Fiorio and his co-driver Luigi Pirollo were unhurt. Fiorio went on to finish second in Argentina
Rally Argentina
The Rally Argentina is an Argentine rally competition that has been both a round of the World Rally Championship and also the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. The rally is also a round of the South American Rally Championship and the Argentine Rally Championship...
and Sanremo, third in Portugal and Greece and fourth at a new WRC round, the Rally Australia
Rally Australia
Rally Australia is an automobile rally event which was held in and around Perth, Western Australia from 1988 until 2006, when that state's tourism commission severed its collaboration with the event. The rally was part of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship in 1988 and the World Rally Championship...
. With 65 points, he placed second in the drivers' championship, behind Biasion and ahead of Toyota's Juha Kankkunen
Juha Kankkunen
Juha Matti Pellervo Kankkunen is a Finnish former rally driver. His factory team career in the World Rally Championship lasted from 1983 to 2002. He won 23 world rallies and four drivers' world championship titles, which were both once records in the series...
. In 1990
1990 World Rally Championship season
The 1990 World Rally Championship season was the 18th season of the FIA World Rally Championship. The season consisted of 12 rallies. The drivers' world championship was won by Carlos Sainz in a Toyota Celica GT-Four, ahead of Didier Auriol and Juha Kankkunen...
, Fiorio drove to his last podium finish with a Lancia factory team Delta Integrale 16V in Australia. With three other points-scoring finishes to his name, he placed ninth in the drivers' championship.
Later career
1991 World Rally Championship season
The 1991 World Rally Championship season was the 19th season of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile World Rally Championship . The season consisted of 14 rallies. The drivers' world championship was won by Juha Kankkunen in a Lancia Delta Integrale 16V, ahead of Carlos Sainz and Didier...
, Fiorio drove a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4 in four events with ninth place in Sanremo as his best result. The 1992 season saw him return to the wheel of a Delta Integrale with the Astra Racing team. He finished fourth at the Rally Argentina and at the Rally Catalunya
Rally Catalunya
The Rally Catalunya is a rally competition on the World Rally Championship schedule. Now held on the wide, smooth and sweeping asphalt roads around the town of Salou, Catalonia, Spain, it was previously held around the region of Costa Brava...
, fifth at the Rallye Sanremo and seventh at the Acropolis Rally. Fiorio then continued with Astra in the 1993 season again competing in four selected events. His best result was fifth in Catalunya. In 1994, Fiorio competed in only two WRC events, retiring with a Ford Escort RS Cosworth
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
The Ford Escort RS Cosworth was a sports derivative of the Ford Escort. It was available from 1992-96 in very limited numbers.It was instantly recognisable due to its large "whale tail" rear spoiler...
in Portugal and taking fourth place with a Delta HF Integrale at the Acropolis Rally. In the European Rally Championship
European Rally Championship
The European Rally Championship is the European continental championship series in rallying. It is organised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile .-History:...
(ERC), he won the Cyprus Rally
Cyprus Rally
The Cyprus Rally is a rallying competition held yearly in Cyprus since 1970. The event is run by the Cyprus Automobile Association and is based in the city of Limassol . It is run on the winding roads of the nearby mountains of Troödos. It was part of the FIA's World Rally Championship from 2000...
for the third year in a row. In his only world rally in 1995, he took his Escort RS Cosworth to eighth place in Portugal.
After making a comeback to the WRC by competing at his home event in 2000 and 2001, Fiorio went on to do a full Production World Rally Championship programme for the Ralliart Italia
Ralliart
Ralliart was the high-performance and motorsports division of Mitsubishi Motors. It was responsible for development and preparation of the company's rally racing and off-road racing vehicles, as well as the development of high-performance models and parts available to the public...
team in 2002. He took his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 7
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, colloquially known as the Lancer Evo or Evo, is a high-performance sedan manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors. There have been ten official versions to date, and the designation of each model is most commonly a roman numeral...
to production car class victory at the Rally Finland
Rally Finland
The Neste Oil Rally Finland is a rally event driven in the Jyväskylä area in Central Finland. It is the biggest annually organised public event in the Nordic countries, gathering over 500,000 spectators every year....
, and finished fifth in the PWRC drivers' championship. After retiring from the WRC, Fiorio has competed in the ERC and in the Italian Rally Championship.