Žakelj in Italy to the first victory

After a dramatic series of resignations of the favorites, Rajko Žakelj managed to achieve his first victory for the Slovenian national championship. He and his co-driver Jako Cevec overtook the Zupanc - Kacin crew in the same car (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX) by 39.6 seconds, and the third was the Novak - Ovcirk connection in a Škoda Fabia R2 with almost three minutes to go.

Rally Alpi Orientali took care of the incredible outcome, as the leader Aleks Humar punctured the tire, while also damaging the refrigerator and thus had to resign despite a very favorable lead. After the seventh HP, Rok Turk took the lead, but after the victory, hopes were dashed when the bike was torn off. Darko Peljhan, who successfully held third place in the overall standings until the fifth HP, was also stopped by the technique. He was hit by a differential on his Mitsubishi.