The reigning Italian Rally Trophy champion, Corrado Pinzano, has decided to defend his title by switching from his trusted Volkswagen Polo GTi to the new Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, prepared by PA Racing. His season will kick off with a test run at the Rally del Ciocco, the opening round of the Sparco Italian Rally Championship (CIAR), scheduled for the second half of March. Mauro Turati, his co-driver since 2023, will remain by his side in the right-hand seat.
Pinzano is gearing up for another thrilling season in the Italian Rally Trophy, aiming to combine innovation with proven strengths. The certainty lies in his team, PA Racing, and his partnership with Turati, while the new element is the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, replacing the Volkswagen Polo GTi that has been his reliable companion since 2019. The Polo GTi has brought him immense success, establishing him as one of the top performers in the 1,600cc category.
For Pinzano, the 2025 season is about reaffirming his dominance in the Italian series. The journey begins at the Rally del Ciocco, held from March 21-23 in Lucca, which will serve as a pre-championship test. Pinzano has only competed in this event twice before (in 2008 and 2014, with two-wheel-drive cars), but this time, he and Turati will use it to gauge their readiness in the highly competitive arena of the Italian Absolute Rally Championship (CIAR).
The rest of the season will feature a revamped Italian Rally Trophy format, with two groups and three high-stakes races carrying an increased coefficient. The calendar includes the Rally della Marca (April 6, Group A), Rally del Salento (May 23-24, coefficient 1.5), Rally della Lanterna (June 15, Group B), Valli Ossolane Rally (July 19-20, Group B), Rally Piancavallo (August 30-31, Group A), and the 1000 Miglia (September 18-20, coefficient 1.5). This structure allows for two participations in each group and two in the high-coefficient races, setting the stage for a strategic battle leading up to the final showdown in Como.
“We’re returning with renewed enthusiasm and fresh motivation, but also with some solid foundations,” said Pinzano. “This mix gives us the strength to defend our title in a new Championship format, which promises an even more exciting challenge. We’ll be competing on familiar terrain, but the races will test our determination to stay on top. With high-caliber opponents and the added complexity of the two groups and three high-coefficient ‘wildcard’ races, there’s no room for complacency. A new chapter begins with the Skoda Fabia RS. While we’ve already seen its potential during initial tests, it will be up to us to maximize its performance, with the invaluable support of the PA Racing team. That’s why we’ve chosen a challenging debut at the Rally del Ciocco—a demanding and rugged event that will thrust us straight into the heart of Italy’s most competitive rally scene.”