The Rally Santo Stefano Belbo is set to light up the roads of the Cuneo region this weekend, with 111 teams ready to take on the decisive challenge in the Coppa Rally di Zona. This much-anticipated event, taking place on October 5-6, will serve as the final qualifier, determining which teams will advance to the national final in Genoa. The rally’s headquarters and the start, finish, service park, and regroup points will be centred around the picturesque town of Santo Stefano Belbo.
As always, Rally Santo Stefano Belbo combines thrilling motorsport with meaningful community initiatives. Two hallmark events will return this year: the *Trofeo delle Merende* and the environmentally-focused *Green Tires* program. The 14th edition of the *Trofeo delle Merende* will kick off with the traditional “Dinner of Merende” on Friday, October 4th, where proceeds will be donated to local charities that support children with cancer and people with disabilities, such as “Le Coccole di Kira,” “La Collina degli Elfi,” and “Sportabili” from Alba.
A Line-Up of Champions and Iconic Cars
This year’s entry list includes a diverse lineup of local and international rally stars. Two Citroën C3 WRC Plus cars will be driven by hometown hero Alessandro Gino, partnered with Daniele Michi, and Finnish driver Matias Henkola, alongside co-driver Patric Ohman. The competition will be fierce, with the likes of Federico and Tatiana Santini and Patrick Gagliasso—paired with Dario Beltramo—taking to the stages in Skoda Fabias, hoping to secure a spot in the national final.
Spectacular Special Stages Await
The rally route features three special stages that will be run twice, totaling over 65 kilometers of competitive driving. The action starts on Saturday, October 5th, with the shakedown stage in Santo Stefano Belbo. Sunday’s rally begins at 8:00 a.m. with the “San Carlo” stage, a 7.4-kilometre section first introduced in the 2023 edition. This is followed by the longest rally stage, the 13-kilometre “Loazzolo-Rocchetta” stage, which combines new sections with parts of the route used in the 2022 and 2023 Alba Rally. The third stage, “Mango,” is an entirely new addition, offering a unique challenge for competitors.
Community and Environmental Initiatives
Rally Santo Stefano Belbo isn’t just about motorsport; it’s a community event that gives back. The *Green Tires* initiative, now in its fourth year, focuses on environmental responsibility, ensuring proper waste disposal along the rally route and in the service park. Sponsored by Confartigianato di Cuneo, the Asti DOC Consortium, and Proglio Automobili, this initiative will also see 75 truffle trees planted along the rally’s path as part of the commitment to sustainability. Since its inception, *Green Tires* has planted over 320 trees in the region, transported in the environmentally-friendly ID Buzz electric vehicle provided by Proglio Automobili.
The Drivers to Watch
Several notable drivers will use this event as a warm-up for upcoming rallies. Jacopo Araldo and Lorena Boero will be looking to refine their skills in the Skoda Fabia ahead of Rally Sanremo. Meanwhile, Davide Caffoni and Leone Natoli, winners of the Rally Valli Ossolane, are ready to take on the Cuneo stages. Expect a tight battle among local competitors, with Massimo Marasso aiming to improve on last year’s second-place finish, while Ezio Grasso, Luca Beltrame, and Cristiano Fenoglio will be hot on his heels. The strong field is rounded out by Fabio and Marco Becuti, who are eager to bounce back from a disappointing run at the Rally Città di Torino.
International Entries and Female Representation
The rally’s appeal reaches beyond Italy, with several international teams joining the fray. Drivers like Pawley from England, Hohlheimer from Germany, and Pallone from France will use their skills to navigate the challenging Italian roads. The rally will also feature a strong showing of female talent, with Alice and Alessia Binello competing in a Peugeot 208 Rally4-R2, ensuring the “pink quota” is well represented.
Don’t Miss Out on the Action!
Rally Santo Stefano Belbo promises high-speed thrills, intense competition, and heartwarming initiatives—all set against the stunning backdrop of the Cuneo region. With a packed entry list and countless stories to unfold, this rally will be a must-watch event for rally enthusiasts.
For full event details, stage maps, and timings, visit the official Rally Santo Stefano Belbo website.