The Lancia’s on home territory - what a combination the rest of the competitors had to deal with at the 1988 Rallye Sanremo, held in the hills above Turin.

The early asphalt sections would suit the Ford Sierra RS Cosworths of Didier Auriol and Stig Blomqvist, whilst the ‘87 champion Juha Kankkunen was hoping to restore some pride with a good drive in the Toyota Celica GT-Four.

Italian rally fans were out in force to back Biasion driving the Lancia Delta Integrale as he tried to clinch his first World Championship crown, on home ground.

The battle for the Group N title was another that could be settled at Sanremo, with Argentinian Jorge Recalde and Belgian Pascal Gaban arrived at the start on level pegging, with just one more round to go in the Championship.