A 21-year-old rally driver has died after crashing into a tree on a test run.
Matteo Doretto lost control of the Peugeot 208 Rally4 during a pre-race test on dirt roads yesterday (11 Jun).
Moments later, he crashed into one of the few trees along the stretch of road he was on.
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The violent impact tore through the left side of the car, where Matteo was seated.
His co-driver, Samuele Pellegrino, initially escaped unharmed.
He was later taken to hospital in shock after seeing the responding firefighters’ lengthy efforts to free Matteo’s body.
The horror unfolded in the countryside between Elganowo and Pasym, south-east of Gdańsk, Poland.
Matteo was due to compete in the 81st edition of Rally Poland tomorrow (13 Jun) – his third international event.
Just three weeks earlier, he had climbed the podium with a third-place finish in the junior category at Rally Hungary.
This followed his crowning as Italian Junior Rally champion last year, as reported by Need To Know.
Matteo was born and raised in Azzano Decimo, north-east of Venice, Italy.
He came from a family of motorcycle racers and rally drivers and he began racing at 17.
His parents, Michele and Barbara, won several major rallies.
Matteo told Italian media just months ago: “As a kid, I started with karting.
“At my first race, someone behind me ran over me at the first corner. I burst into tears and said I never wanted to race again.”
But years of following his parents to competitions changed his mind.
He said: “I’d help out for fun, playing with tyre pressures – until I caught the rally bug myself.”
His talent showed instantly, with a second-place finish at the Piancavallo Rally – his very first.
When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, Matteo joked: “A driver. I’m keeping my options open – rally driver or even taxi driver.”
Turning serious, he added: “I’ll try to carry on the family business. That’s already a big challenge.”
He is also survived by his girlfriend, Melissa.
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