Galli links up with Aimont, will do eight events.

Gigi Galli has revealed that he will definitely take in eight events in the FIA World Rally Championship this season, having signed an agreement with the Aimont Racing Team.

Galli told Crash.net Radio earlier this month that he was hoping to do eight rounds this season in a Citroen Xsara WRC car supplied by PH Sport and while it was subsequently confirmed by Pirelli that he would do the two winter rounds in Sweden and Norway, this latest announcement means he will also go to Portugal, Argentina, Sardinia, Greece, Finland and New Zealand.

"For me the Xsara will be a completely new car," he told his personal website. "We cannot hide the fact that we are quite proud to have realised this project that only a few weeks ago seemed almost impossible. I am very satisfied to have closed the deal with the Aimont Racing Team, who I consider to be one of the best teams in the Italian rally world.

"Regarding the first two races I would say that the rally in Sweden is a race that we know quite well, while on the other hand, the one in Norway will be almost a completely new experience for all of us. The last two years, in Sweden, we run with WRC cars so I think we know how to deal with those cars on the snow surfaces. Now we have to capitalise on those past experiences.

"My emotions at this moment are so strong. We know there will be difficulties but we will do everything we can in order to continue to play a leading role in the World Rally Championship. I have been following this dream for a long time and we are definitely ready to take this chance now."

Aimont Racing team manager and vice-president, Pierfrancesco Zanchi is also delighted to have finally sorted the deal. He also revealed that they are working at the moment to expand the eight event programme to try and take in some additional events.

"I am really satisfied. Finally, after much talk, we were able to close this fantastic deal in the WRC. We had been thinking about getting Gigi to drive in this year's world championship for quite some time now and at last here we are," he added. "At this time we have eight rallies planned and we are already working on expanding that.

"For all of us here at Aimont this is surely a very important experience and for Gigi it will be the possibility to be in the championship with a good program. I would like to thank all the people who helped us in making all this possible, starting with Citroen Sport, the French structure P.H. Sport, Pirelli Tyres, Xideko sport, Beta Utensili, Acerbis and Stilo."