Ex-WRC driver Gigi Galli joins World Rallycross field for Italy

Galli tested for the Swedish outfit recently at Strangnas in Sweden, and will join Swedish Touring Car Championship driver Richard Goransson in a pair of wildcard Fiestas run alongside regular Ford drivers Andreas Bakkerud and Reinis Nitiss.

"I'm delighted to be part of World RX, which is growing very popular at the moment," said Galli, who has been heavily involved with the design and construction of the new Italian venue.

"It won't be easy as there are a lot of other drivers and the car's power is so much more than I am used to.

"I had a test recently in Sweden and I've also been involved heavily in the building of the [Franciacorta] RX track. Hopefully this can help me when I race next week."

Galli twice finished on the podium in his WRC career; firstly on Rally Argentina in 2006, when he took third in a privately-entered Peugeot 307 WRC (pictured).

He replicated that result on Rally Sweden while contesting a full season for the Stobart Ford team in 2008, when his team-mate was future RX man Henning Solberg.

A heavy crash on Rally Germany that year cut Galli's season short due to a fractured left femur, and ultimately proved to be the end of his WRC career.

Simone Ramogna will join compatriot Galli in the Franciacorta line-up as his last outing in a three-round programme with Petter Solberg's PSRX squad.