Sergio Cresto facts for kids
Sergio Cresto was an American co-driver in rally racing. He was born on January 19, 1956, and sadly passed away on May 2, 1986. Sergio was best known for being the co-driver for Henri Toivonen on the Lancia Martini team during the 1986 World Rally Championship. Interestingly, he also co-drove for Attilio Bettega, another Lancia driver who died in a racing accident exactly one year before Sergio's own tragic crash.
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Early Life and Racing Career
Sergio Cresto was born in New York City. He was an Italian American and lived in Ospedaletti, Italy, near Sanremo. He started his racing journey as a co-driver with Amedeo Gerbino in an Opel Kadett GT/E.
Climbing the Ranks
In 1979, Sergio became the co-driver for Tonino Tognana. They raced in an Opel Kadett GT/E and later in a more powerful Fiat 131 Abarth. In 1981, Cresto and Tognana finished eighth in the Italian Championship.
The next year, in 1982, Sergio teamed up with another skilled driver, Gianfranco Cunico. They raced in a Fiat Ritmo 130 and achieved good results.
Success in the Italian Championship
In 1983, Sergio Cresto changed drivers again. He had a very successful season in the Italian national championship.
- He finished sixth overall with Michele Cinotto. They earned third place finishes at the Targa Florio and Quattro Regioni rallies, both in a Lancia 037.
- He also finished tenth with Andrea Zanussi, after taking second place at the San Marino Rally in a Lancia 037.
With Andrea Zanussi, Cresto also finished third at the Halkidikis Rally that year. This race was a qualifying event for the European Championship.
European Championship Win
Sergio competed in the Halkidikis Rally again in 1984 with Carlo Capone in a Lancia 037. After a long and successful season, they had a close competition with Henri Toivonen and his Porsche. In the end, Sergio Cresto and Carlo Capone won the European Championship.
After a co-driver named Maurizio Perissinot had an accident, Sergio Cresto briefly became Attilio Bettega's co-driver for two World Championship races. In 1985, he raced with Andrea Zanussi again for Lancia.
Final Season and Legacy
In 1986, Sergio Cresto became the co-driver for Henri Toivonen in a Lancia Delta S4. They had a very strong start to the season. They even won the famous Rally Monte Carlo. Because of their success, Toivonen and Cresto were considered top contenders for the World Championship title.
The Tragic Accident
During the Tour de Corse rally, Toivonen and Cresto were leading the race by a significant amount. However, during the eighteenth stage of the rally, their Lancia went off the road. It plunged down a ravine and landed upside down. Sadly, both Henri Toivonen and Sergio Cresto tragically died in the crash.
The accident had a huge impact on rally racing. It led the FIA (the governing body for motorsports) to decide to ban Group B cars after the 1986 season. This was because Group B cars were incredibly powerful and fast, and the accident highlighted safety concerns.
Services for Sergio Cresto were held in Villastellone, Italy, on May 4, 1986.
