Despite a setback due to a tire misjudgment, ACI Team Italia’s Giovanni Trentin wrapped up Rally Idrija in Slovenia with a commendable fifth-place finish in the Rally4 class and twelfth overall. After three consecutive asphalt rallies, Trentin will switch to gravel for the Rally Show Santa Domenica, piloting a Toyota Yaris Rally2.
While a top podium finish was out of reach, Trentin gained valuable experience over the Rally Idrija weekend. This event, part of the Slovenian Rally Championship and the FIA Central European Zone series, saw the young driver from Montebelluna back in action in an IK Sport Opel Corsa Rally4, expertly supported by Lorenzon Racing and co-driven by Danilo Fappani.
Trentin, proudly representing MT Racing and ACI Team Italia with the support of Movisport, started the event with strong momentum, placing second in his class during the Saturday night opener. However, on Sunday, handling issues caused by understeer slowed his progress, dropping him to seventh in class and twentieth overall by the first loop of stages.
“On Sunday’s first and second loops, we struggled heavily with understeer,” Trentin explained. “We tried changing the setup, but the times weren’t improving. Eventually, we realized our competitors were using different tires, which made the difference. Once we adjusted, things improved.”
With this insight, Trentin charged through the final stages, securing a second and first place in class on the last two specials, including impressive eighth and fourth overall times on those segments. Despite the initial tire misstep, Trentin was pleased with his fifth-place finish in Rally4 and twelfth overall.
“It’s disappointing we only identified the issue late on Sunday,” he added, “as we could have contended for the class win and a higher overall position. Still, making these choices and learning from them is part of the sport. I’m happy with our effort and grateful to IK Sport, Lorenzon Racing, MT Racing, ACI Team Italia, Movisport, Pirelli, Sparco, and all our partners for their support in 2024.”
Now, with this trio of asphalt rallies behind him, Trentin is eager to shift gears back to gravel, eyeing the Toyota Yaris Rally2 for the Rally Show Santa Domenica in late November, where he narrowly missed a stunning result last year.
“These three races were crucial for my development on asphalt,” Trentin concluded. “They came close together on the calendar, giving me a great opportunity to improve. Now, I’m counting down the days until I get back on the dirt in the Yaris Rally2—it’s going to be incredible.”