Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo star on first day of the Bettega Memorial Rallysprint

Kris Meeke and Dani Sordo were the stars of yesterday's qualifying heats at the Bologna Motor Show Bettega Memorial Rallysprint.

Meeke, driving the Errepi Racing Citroen Xsara WRC, beat two former world rally champions Marcus Gronholm and Petter Solberg on the way to topping his group with maximum points for today's finals.

The top four drivers with the best qualifying times then competed in a night sprint race. Dani Sordo in the works C4 won the Bettega Memorial Night Sprint (he also earlier topped his qualifying group)  ahead of  Gigi Galli in a Stobart Focus with Meeke third and Marcus Gronholm fourth.

Kris Meeke commented on his blog about yesterday's performance:

Its been remarkable, after 12 months after last sitting in a WRC car, its been a perfect day. The conditions were very very tricky today, but we hope to carry the same form to tomorrow for the main event”

Marcus Gronholm back behind the wheel of a works Ford Focus

Petter Solberg vs Marcus Gronholm video from qualifying heats

Dani Sordo topped his group and won the night sprint

Gigi Galli back in action for the first time since his accident in Germany

Petter the showman

Bettega Memorial Rallysprint Qualifying  Results 

RED GROUP

1. Dani Sordo 12
2. Gigi Galli 6
3. Francois Duval 4
4. Piero Longhi 2

GREEN GROUP

1. Kris Meeke 12
2. Marcus Grönholm 6
3. Petter Solberg 4
4. Simone Campedelli 2

Bettega Memorial Nightsprint Results

Seb Loeb was present for demonstrations yesterday

Images: motorshow.it

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• Dani Sordo wins Bettega Memorial Rallysprint 2008 at the Bologna Motor Show
• Kris Meeke will use a Citroen Xsara WRC from Scuderia Errepi Racing on the Bettega Memorial Rallysprint at the Bologna Motor Show
• Kris Meeke was recommended by Citroen Sport for the Xsara drive on the Bettega Memorial