It will be a weekend in the name of the rally champions of all times that which starts this weekend in San Marino, for one of the most eagerly awaited international events for motoring enthusiasts. The high-adrenaline event, now in its 15th edition, which combines the rallies of yesterday and today in four days of "full-immersion", attracts more than sixty thousand spectators from all over Europe every year, and closes the annual calendar of events related to vintage cars that the Swiss watchmaker Eberhard & Co. supports. For more than twenty years, the watch brand with a passion for motoring has been one of the main sponsors of some of the most fascinating motoring events, particularly those dedicated to the world of vintage cars, rallies, regularity races and concours d'elegance, and never misses an opportunity to flank and support motoring enthusiasts. The link dates back to 1991, when Eberhard & Co. dedicated a special collection of chronographs to one of the greatest drivers of all time, Tazio Nuvolari. Once again this year, the Maison confirms its role as Partner and Official Time Keeper of Rallylegend, which sees a very long list of great champions, legendary cars and competing crews from all over the world engaged in challenges with the stopwatch, on special stages all designed within the Republic of San Marino. Numerous and eagerly awaited novelties have been announced for this new edition, starting with the "reunion" of the most beloved World Rally Champions in history (almost the entire roll of honour of the World Rally Championship) present for the "Colin Mc RaeTribute", a tribute to the great Scottish driver, world champion in 1995, ten years after his untimely death. Among them were Miki Biasion (in a Lancia Delta Integrale), Sebastien Loeb (in a Citroen C4 WRC), Sebastien Ogier (in a VW Polo R WRC), Stig Blomqvist (in an Audi Quattro S1), Juha Kankkunen (in a Lancia Delta Integrale), Tommi Makinen (in a Mitsubishi Lancer), Marcus Gronholm (in a Peugeot 206 WRC), Ari Vatanen (in a Ford Escort RS), Timo Salonen (in a Peugeot 205 T16), Didier Auriol (in a Toyota Celica), Petter Solberg (in a Subaru Impreza WRC). Among the World Champions, with their 1977 and 1978 FIA titles, there will also be Sandro Munari (in a Lancia Stratos), while representing great world champions, who unfortunately passed away, will be the co-drivers Hans Thorszelius, for Bjorn Waldegaard and Robert Reid for Richard Burns. Carlos Sainz will be present telematically, with a Skype connection during the conference, and Luis Moya to represent him physically. Fifteen World Rally Champions, for a total of thirty-four World Rally titles - almost the entire history of the rainbow series - will gather in the Republic of San Marino - for two days the "Capital of the World Rally". Moreover, this very year Eberhard & Co. celebrates 130 years, a history full of successes and emotions, with a constant commitment to research, quality, technology and aesthetics. Inside the Eberhard space in the village, telling the time of a great watchmaking Maison, will be the celebratory watch dedicated to this important anniversary: Chrono 4 130, proposed both in a sophisticated limited edition and in a captivating series version. In addition, for the occasion, an unprecedented product will be presented in the Eberhard space, the result of one of the special collaborations that the Brand has activated with companies that, like Eberhard, best express quality and excellence. This collaboration has resulted in the Blizzard Quattro Special Edition Ski, a high-performance ski with a precious personalisation linked to the 130th anniversary and the iconic Chrono 4 watch, which we find echoed in the graphic elements on the ski. To celebrate this anniversary in the best possible way also with the public, the Maison, partner of Rallylegend for five years, has decided to reward the passion for this discipline by giving one of the many fans present during the race days in San Marino the chance to live on Saturday the "Rallylegend Experience", a ride alongside the champion Miki Biasion for an unforgettable "special stage". One of the most eagerly awaited guests at Rallylegend will be two-time world champion Miki Biasion, Brand Ambassador for Eberhard & Co., who will be ready to put on a show for the third time at Rallylegend, wearing the colours and watches of the Maison and sharing his experience and fame. It will be his own car, the legendary Lancia 037, that will represent the brand with a special customisation linked to the 130th anniversary with the celebratory model Chrono 4 130. Biasion will also drive the Lancia Delta Integrale Martini of his two World Champion titles, in 1988 and 1989 on the occasion of Sunday's Tribute. Moreover, within the rich calendar of appointments and events that will take place in the village, a long-awaited one has been created precisely with the champion from Bassano: on Saturday morning inside the Eberhard area guests will be able to meet Miki for a special autograph session.
