The engines are revving up as Rally Santo Stefano Belbo-Coppa Roberto Botta prepares to kick off on the 5th and 6th of October. As the final event before the Zone 1 Championship Finale in Genoa, the race promises an intense showdown on the scenic roads of Cuneo. Organized by Cinzano Rally, the event will see 111 crews battle it out for the last points of the season.
The highlight of the weekend will be the participation of two WRC Plus cars, piloted by local favourite Alessandro Gino alongside co-driver Daniele Michi, and the Finnish duo Matias Henkola and Patric Ohman. Both crews will compete in Citroën C3 WRC Plus machines, setting the stage for an epic clash between world-class vehicles and some of the best drivers in the region.
However, the race isn’t just about the international stars. Local talent will take centre stage as drivers like Jacopo Araldo and Lorena Boero aim to leverage their home advantage against strong rivals such as Davide Caffoni and Leone Natoli. A formidable lineup of local drivers, including last year’s runner-up Massimo Marasso, Ezio Grasso, Luca Arione, and Luca Culasso, will be vying for top honours. Regular front-runners Cristiano Fenoglio and Marco Rosso are expected to add to the excitement, having shown strong form throughout the season. Additionally, fans can look forward to seeing Skoda drivers Fabio and Marco Becuti, Angelo Morino and Mara Miretti, and young talents like Davide Porta and Andrea Quistini.
The women’s category will see sisters Alice and Alessia Binello take on the challenging stages in their Peugeot 208 Rally 4, while the international contingent will feature England’s Pawley, Germany’s Hohlheimer, and France’s Pallone.
The rally course consists of three special stages, each run twice. The action begins with the “San Carlo” stage at 8:24 am on Sunday, followed by the “Loazzolo-Rocchetta” stage at 9:10 am, which, at nearly 13 kilometers, is the longest of the rally. After a regroup and service in Santo Stefano Belbo, the crews will tackle the “Mango” stage at 11:34 am and return for another run of the “Loazzolo-Rocchetta” at 12:38 pm. The final phase will see competitors face a second run through “Mango” and “San Carlo” stages before the rally concludes with the arrival and awards ceremony at 4:30 pm in Santo Stefano Belbo.
Tradition Meets Community Spirit: Trofeo delle Merende and “Green Tires” Initiative
This year’s edition of Rally Santo Stefano Belbo will also include the 14th edition of the Trofeo delle Merende, an event deeply rooted in the local community. It kicks off on Friday, 4th October, with the traditional “Cena delle Merende” charity dinner. The proceeds from the evening will be donated to several local volunteer associations, including “Le Coccole di Kira,” which uses the therapeutic power of dogs to support those in need, “La Collina degli Elfi,” which assists in the rehabilitation of children with cancer, and “Sportabili,” an organisation from Alba supporting people with disabilities.
The competition will also pay tribute to past champions with memorial awards. The winners of the N2 class will receive a trophy dedicated to Omar Pedrazzoli, while the Rally 4 class winners will be honoured with the Francesco Pozzi Memorial. In addition, Pirelli Motorsport has sponsored significant prizes for the top three in the Rally 4 category and the N2 class winner.
For the fourth consecutive year, Rally Santo Stefano Belbo will run the “Green Tires” initiative, a project funded by Confartigianato di Cuneo, the Consorzio dell’Asti Doc, and Proglio Automobili. This initiative promotes environmental sustainability through a campaign focused on the safe disposal of waste generated at the Service Park and along the rally route. As part of this initiative, 75 truffle trees will be donated to local communities impacted by the rally route during the “Cena delle Merende,” bringing the total number of trees planted over the past four years to more than 320.
This commitment to the environment is further symbolized by the use of an electric ID-Buzz vehicle, provided by Proglio Automobili, to deliver the trees, underscoring the event’s dedication to sustainability.
With a thrilling lineup of drivers, a challenging course, and a commitment to giving back to the community, Rally Santo Stefano Belbo-Coppa Roberto Botta promises to be a spectacular weekend of motorsport. Stay tuned to HHrally.com for live coverage, results, and insights as the action unfolds in Cuneo.