The upcoming 41st Rally Citta di Bassano (20 – 21 September 2024) has an incredible start list, featuring 34 top-tier cars, and from Testa to Graziani, the desire to leave a lasting impression is the same.
There’s a sense of satisfied pride, and rightly so. Bassano Rally Racing has confirmed 151 entrants for the 41st Industrial Cars Rally Città di Bassano, setting a 2024 record among the Italian Rally Trophy races. This achievement comes without the draw of an increased coefficient or a final ranking, and without the parallel Historic Rally Base event, which is expected to return next year. The swift publication of the competitor list also highlights the efficiency of the organizing committee, supported by the Automobile Club Vicenza.
The standout number is the total of 34 top-tier Rally2 cars, followed by 22 Rally4 entries. Rally5 (turbo engine) and N2 (naturally aspirated engine) categories are evenly matched, each fielding 17 cars. From the crew of Giuseppe Testa and Gino Abatecola, in the No. 1 Skoda Fabia Delta Rally sponsored by Bresolin Autoricambi, to the crew of Mirco Graziani and Claudia Chiusole in the No. 173 Citroen Saxo Vts PR2 Sport, everyone is equally eager to make their mark.
“I always seem to close the list,” jokes Graziani on the phone, “but I’m happy with it. I have no ambitions for rankings, so I can just enjoy the experience.” Meanwhile, at the top of the list, Testa faces a different kind of pressure, as he contends with not only rivals for the Trophy—Corrado Pinzano (Volkswagen Polo) and Luca Pedersoli (Citroen DS3 WRC)—but also other heavyweights with high expectations, such as Marco Signor, a standout in the national championship, and Alessandro Battaglin (Hyundai i20), who holds the record for most wins (11) at Bassano.
Here’s a quick overview of the event schedule: Thursday kicks off with authorized reconnaissance of the route, followed by Friday’s shakedown and the official start from San Martino di Lupari. That evening will feature the “Rubbio Mini” timed show stage. Saturday, September 21, will see two runs of the “Cavalletto” and “Rubbio” stages, along with three runs down the legendary “Valstagna” stage, notorious for testing brakes to the limit. The driver who burns through their brakes the least will come out on top.
View the start list here.