Monza (MB), Wednesday, November 29th, 2023 – The Sparco Italian Rally Championship and the Italian Rally Gravel Trophy cross paths for a season finale like never before. On Friday, December 1st, and Saturday, December 2nd, the Monza Rally will host the final stage for the two main national series in an unprecedented setting, on a mixed terrain course entirely designed within the park and circuit of the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. 78 km of timed stages divided into 10 special tests will reproduce, in tricolour fashion, a spectacle seen only in the two editions of the race valid for the World Championship in 2020 and 2021. Despite the two major titles in CIAR Sparco and CIRT having already been awarded, the best performers in the speciality are expected to participate, joined by the talents of ACI Team Italia called to settle scores for the CIAR Junior, a youth series still in search of a champion and the only Italian title still vacant. A total of 101 crews are expected to participate, thanks to the presence of many exceptional drivers bringing 43 Rally2 cars to the highest category. Several circuit speed specialists are also present, drawn by the Monza event, as well as the two single-brand trophies twinned with the national series, the already closed Suzuki Rally Cup, and the GR Yaris Rally Cup, which will indicate its winner at the Temple of Speed.

THE PROGRAM IN A NUTSHELL | The Monza Rally will start heating up on Friday morning with the shakedown open from 8:00 to 12:00 to allow competitors to test their cars in competition setup. The race will kick off from the stage on the straight starting at 1:00 pm, heading to the first timed section SSS1 Monza (2.53 km) scheduled from 1:12 pm. As usual, the initial Power Stage will award 3, 2, 1 points for the series within CIAR Sparco and will be broadcast live from 1:05 pm on RAI Sport HD (ch. 58 DT and raiplay) and on ACI Sport TV (ch. 228 Sky, 402 tivusat, acisport.it, Facebook @ACISportTV, @CIRally, @CIRallyTerra). The first day will be very interesting from a competitive perspective, offering three more special stages with a pass on the "Junior" stage (7.33 km - SS2 at 2:55 pm) and a double evening run on the longer "Serraglio" stage (12.5 km - SS3 at 5:13 pm, SS4 at 7:31 pm) to be tackled with headlights on. On Saturday, the final phase will unfold with six special stages starting with a double pass on the "Roggia" stage (12.18 km - SS5 at 8:04 am, SS6 at 10:24 am), followed by two laps on the same "Junior" (SS7 at 12:40 pm, SS9 at 3:19 pm) and "Monza" (SS8 at 12:58 pm, SS10 at 3:37 pm). The curtain on the rally and the 2023 season is scheduled to fall at 4:00 pm on the circuit's straight.

A CHALLENGE AMONG CHAMPIONS | The eighth round for CIAR Sparco and the sixth for CIRT bring an exceptional mix of talent and muscle, composed of top national drivers, all engaged in a stage with a maximum 1.5 score coefficient, including the Junior, Two-Wheel Drive, and R1 series. They will all compete together in a single race for a final podium and an overall rally classification. However, Absolute registered drivers will be transparent for the Terra classification; conversely, all drivers with Italian or San Marino licenses can place themselves in the Absolute classification, but only the registered ones can acquire the related points. The mixed surface factor and the free choice for crews regarding asphalt or dirt setup and tires, with a maximum of 12 tires to use, make the result unpredictable. With the major titles already assigned, tactical considerations are reset, so a level playing field competition is expected driven only by the desire to win.

A source of pride for Absolute Champions Andrea Crugnola and Pietro Elia Ometto, who rightfully bear the No. 1 on the doors of their Citroen C3 Rally2 prepared by FPF Sport and fitted with Pirelli tires. Therefore, the Varese native will return to Monza two years after the great victory in WRC3, this time to close the season with the second consecutive title, the third in the duo's career. The main opponent for the Absolute title could be Fabio Andolfi from Savona, current No. 3 in the standings, always navigated by Nicolò Gonella on the Skoda Fabia Rally2 by MS Munaretto, who will have the opportunity to gain the vice-champion position in the absence of Basso. Among the priorities, the pair formed by Paolo Andreucci and Rudy Briani stands out, who have confirmed themselves as Italian Terra Champions even before heading to Monza. The absence of rival Gryazin has arithmetically confirmed the third consecutive dirt title for the Garfagnana driver, who starts in the typical formation, on the Skoda Fabia RS managed by H-Sport, shod with MRF Tyres. The comparison for tire manufacturers is also intriguing, with Michelin fielding Tommaso Ciuffi and Pietro Cigni, on their Skoda from Erreffe Rally Team. As happened in the first coincidence between CIAR Sparco and CIRT, Ciuffi can try to shine in the Absolute comparison, with the main goal of gaining the second final position in Terra. This final opportunity is also shared by Enrico Oldrati from Bergamo, who will make his first seasonal appearance with Giacomo Ciucci, also on the Skoda by MS Munaretto. Coming to Monza with the desire to confirm himself among the best revelations of the season is Slovenian Bostjan Avbelj, the Promotion Italian Champion who, together with compatriot Damijan Andrejka, will try to step onto the overall podium again, as done in the last round in Sanremo, and to stay competitive on dirt behind the wheel of Munaretto's Skoda.

THE UNDERDOGS | Many drivers not belonging to the two championships can also take advantage of the opportunity at Monza for a high-level comparison. Brescian Andrea Mabellini with Virginia Lenzi has shown his talent in the European and Italian Asphalt Rally Championship and will try to reaffirm it on the dirt with the Skoda from Northon Racing. A similar situation for Biellese Corrado Pinzano, a protagonist in the CIR Asphalt and ready for the new challenge with Mauro Turati on the Bohemian Rally2 from PA Racing. A familiar face from the Zone l Rally Cup is Aostan Elwis Chentre, always to be observed among the Skodas, this time navigated by Massimiliano Bay. There are also emerging young talents, like ACI Team Italia driver Roberto Daprà, a Trentino lad who has just won the European RC4 title, Junior ERC vice-champion, stepping for the first time into the Skoda Fabia Rally2, always navigated by Luca Guglielmetti. Then there's the eighteen-year-old from Como, Marco Butti, who has stood out this year on Italian circuits in the Italian GT Championship and with the Under 25 victory in TCR Italy, alongside Flavio Zanella on the Hyundai i20.

THE CHALLENGE BETWEEN TWO SERIES | Already appreciated earlier this year at the mid-season San Marino, the comparison between the protagonists of CIAR Sparco and Gravel Trophy will be repeated. In addition to the champions and the leading contenders, many crews will animate this tricolor finale. On the Absolute front, the home challenge could not be without Rachele Somaschini with Nicola Arena in the Citroen C3, chasing the ACI Sport Female Cup that sees her in second place. Among the Rally2, many already know Monza, such as Saluzzo driver Enrico Brazzoli paired with Luca Beltrame, the Larian duo Maurizio and Federica Mauri, Savona’s Francesco Aragno with Giancarla Guzzi, all on Skoda; while it will be the first appearance for Roman Fabio Angelucci, this time assisted by Milena Danese in the Citroen C3. Among the Absolute drivers, Roman Michael Rendina will also be present, usually engaged in the Two-Wheel Drive category and now ready for his debut among the Rally2 on the Sportec C3, always accompanied by Mario Pizzuti. Highly rated for the fight at the top are also the "dusty" ones from CIRT, among which stand out the names of the young son of art Angelo Pucci Grossi, who together with Francesco Cardinali has already won the Under 25 trophy, the Versilia-born Emanuele Dati in his second appearance with Manuel Fenoli on the notes, Greek Nikolaos Pavlidis with British co-driver Alan Harryman among the regulars of the Gravel Trophy, all driving Skodas. Treviso's Mattia Codato with Christian Dinale, on another Bohemian four-wheel drive, will also be back in action.

THE FINAL OF JUNIOR | The only Italian title still up for grabs is in CIAR Junior, so the seven ACI Team Italia crews who answered Monza's final call are ready to dance. The Champion in the youth series will be crowned in the Temple of Speed, an achievement that three drivers in the ACI Sport lineup can still aim for, all driving the Renault Clio Rally5 prepared by Motorsport Italia and fitted with Pirelli tires. At the top of the standings is Davide Pesavento with Marco Frigo, the most successful Under 27 driver who will try to finish a season lived always at the top. Pesavento is the only one of the three title contenders who can win the championship even with a second-place finish, while the other two will necessarily have to aim for the top spot in the race. Among these, Ossolano Igor Iani has good chances, the second force in the championship with Nicola Puliani, while Francesco Dei Ceci with Nicolò Lazzarini will start from the fourth overall position and will need the maximum points, in addition to a series of coincidences, to be crowned Champion. Less pressure, but a great opportunity at Monza also for the other members of the ACI Team Italia "Magnificent Seven," among whom Pordenone’s Matteo Doretto with Andrea Budoia wants to gain positions, still in search of the first satisfaction of the season. Treviso's Marco Zanin, galvanized by the last victory in Sanremo, always in partnership with Massimo Moriconi, also wants to close the season on a high note. Then, to complete the Junior group, there will be no shortage of Trentino siblings Geronimo and Francesca Nerobutto, often among the fastest on dirt, and Arezzo's Niko La Notte making his debut in partnership with the experienced navigator Giovanni Bernacchini."

2WD | Always monopolized by the Peugeot 208 Rally4, the Two-Wheel Drive category. For the Absolute, the title has already been awarded to Gianandrea Pisani, absent in Monza, but many of his best opponents will be present, starting with the Trentino vice-champion Fabio Farina with Daniel Pozzi, then the Ossolano Gabriel Di Pietro with Andrea Dresti, the Piacentino Giorgio Cogni with Alessandro Cervi, the Ligurian Emanuele Fiore with Pietro D'Agostino, and Graziano Nember with Luca Catalano on the notes, all driving the front-wheel-drive cars of the French brand. Racing in the two-wheel-drive category and closely watching the ACI Sport Female Cup is Arianna Doriguzzi Breatta, leading the pink standings, always navigated by Simone Crosilla on another Peugeot. All on the 208 also the specialists of the dirt roads who will compete for the Two-Wheel Drive Cup in the CIRT. The standings are led by Cogni, followed by the Paduan Nicolò Marchioro with Marco Marchetti, and the Florentine brothers Lorenzo and Cosimo Ancillotti, both with remaining possibilities to achieve the trophy. Keep an eye on the young Italian emerging talent Matteo Fontana, also active internationally in the WRC, who returns to the Italian roads, always partnered with Alessandro Arnaboldi on a Peugeot.

EYES ON VALENTINO LEDDA | The name Valentino Ledda arouses much curiosity, as he will participate in the Monza Rally as the winner of the ACI Sport Off-Road Stage for the 2023 season. The seventeen-year-old Sardinian driver, from Burgos, is one of the representatives of ACI Team Italia and has taken part in the Youth Project of the Automobile Club d’Italia, which this season led him to debut in rallies internationally. Already an Italian Autocross Champion, this year engaged in the Latvian Championship together with his peer Giovanni Trentin as part of the National Team, Valentino Ledda was the top student of the ACI Sport Federal School in the activity dedicated to aspiring rally drivers held in Maggiora, organized in collaboration with Yamaha Motor Europe Italian branch and Pirelli. As a reward, he was offered the opportunity to participate in this rally driving the Yamaha YXZ 1000 R, a four-wheel-drive vehicle already appreciated in the Italian Cross Country and Side by Side Championship, where he will be accompanied by navigator Claudio Mele who has been with him throughout 2023.

 

GR YARIS RALLY CUP | In the final stretch of the season, the GR Yaris Rally Cup, a Toyota trophy awaiting the name of the winner, could not be missing. We will witness the performance of 16 registered cars, with some new names among the R1T 4x4 of the Japanese manufacturer. The standings, however, present a delicate balance, with Simone Di Giovanni from Rome leading, just three points ahead of Jacopo Facco from Rovigo and eight points ahead of Salvatore Lo Cascio from Sicily. Then, in fourth place is Tommaso Paleari, and fifth is the defending champion Thomas Paperini, who in turn has just a one-point advantage over Fabrizio Andolfi Jr. In short, a challenge still to be defined.

SUZUKI RALLY CUP | Always present alongside the CIAR Sparco is the Suzuki Rally Cup, reaching its seasonal climax. Opening the way for the 12 trophy contenders will be Matteo Giordano and Manuela Siragusa, winners for the second consecutive time of the Japanese trophy and Italian R1 Champions with six victories out of six on the Swift Hybrid. However, the podium of the cup is still to be assigned, and the under 25 and Racing Start classifications are even more uncertain; there will be no shortage of action on the world rally stage. To challenge the champion, first and foremost, will be Roberto Pellè navigated by Luca Franceschini, who must defend the second position from the many young drivers present in Monza. In the final round for Suzuki, 7 under 25 trophy contenders are involved, more than half, among whom Alessandro Forneris and Sebastian Dallapiccola stand out.

 

SPARCO ITALIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 2023: March 10-11 | Rally Il Ciocco e Valle del Serchio; April 14 -15 | #RA Rally Regione Piemonte; May 5-6 | Targa Florio Rally (coeff. 1,5); June 16-17 | San Marino Rally (coeff. 1,5); July 28-30 | Rally di Roma Capitale (coeff. 1,5); September 8-9 | Rally 1000 Miglia; September 29-30 | Rallye Sanremo; December 1-2 | Rally di Monza (coeff. 1,5)

CIAR SPARCO CLASSIFICATION: 1. Crugnola 159pt*; 2. Basso 84pt; 3. Andolfi 64; 4. Avbelj 58pt; 5. De Tommaso 42pt;

CIR PROMOTION CLASSIFICATION: 1. Avbelj 112pt*; 2. Ferrarotti 100pt; 3. Bottarelli 88pt;

CIAR 2WD CLASSIFICATION: 1. Pisani 97pt*; 2. Farina 61pt; 3. Cambiaghi 51,5pt; 4. Lucchesi 33pt; 5. Cardi 30,5pt;

CIAR JUNIOR CLASSIFICATION: 1. Pesavento 85pt; 2. Iani 70pt; 3. Pederzani 58pt; 4. Dei Ceci 55pt; 5. Doretto 46pt;

 

ITALIAN GRAVEL TROPHY 2023 CALENDAR: March 18-19 | Rally Val d'Orcia; May 20-21 |Rally Adriatico; June 16-17 San Marino Rally; September 15-16 | Rally dei Nuraghi e del Vermentino; October 21-22 | Rally delle Marche; December 1-2 | Rally di Monza (coeff. 1,5)

CIRT CLASSIFICATION: 1. Andreucci 72pt*; 2. Gryazin 52,5pt; 3. Ciuffi 37pt; 4. Oldrati 33pt; 5. A. Pucci Grossi 21,5pt;

 

*already crowned Italian Champion

 

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