The sixth Vermentino Historicu was packed with action and triumphs, as Costantino Mura and Marco Demontis celebrated their maiden victory in the Italian Historic Gravel Rally Championship (CIRT). Racing on the punishing white gravel roads of Sardinia, the duo showcased dominance behind the wheel of their Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4×4, seizing victory with an unmatchable pace.
Winning four out of the six stages, Mura/Demontis demonstrated why they were the team to beat on home soil. The Sardinian driver faced no serious opposition, outpacing all rivals in both the overall classification and the 4WD category. Their closest challenger among the four-wheel drive contenders, Stefano Camporesi, settled for fourth overall with a significant gap of 7 minutes to the winners.
Tonelli shines in 2WD, Pelliccioni holds championship lead
Andrea Tonelli and co-driver Roberto Debbi delivered a stellar performance in the Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) category, finishing second overall and taking the 2WD class win. Tonelli’s mastery over the challenging special stages, where deep ruts and uneven terrain proved daunting, earned him his second victory of the season—a crucial result for his championship campaign. The pair finished 8 seconds behind the overall winners Mura/Demontis, solidifying their position as one of the standout teams in the series.
Not far behind, Bruno Pelliccioni/Lorenzo Ercolani crossed the line in third overall and second in the 2WD category. As the current leaders of the CIRTS standings, they remain in prime position heading into the final showdown at the Rally del Brunello Storico. The points race is still tight, ensuring a thrilling conclusion to the season.
Diana dazzles, Camporesi falls behind
In fourth place, the ever-entertaining Paolo Diana and co-driver Daniele Conti pushed hard in their iconic Fiat 131 Abarth, flying over the gravel stages in pursuit of Pelliccioni. Despite their valiant efforts, they couldn’t quite break into the top three but still put on a spectacular display for the fans.
Meanwhile, Stefano Camporesi and Pietro Rossi, piloting a Lancia Delta Integrale, struggled to match the front-runners. A tough rally saw them drop to fifth overall, with a substantial gap of nearly eight minutes behind the leaders. It was a tough day for the Lancia crew, who couldn’t keep pace with the dominant 4WD competitors.
Mazza and Ormezzano impress in tight battles
Further down the leaderboard, Mazza “Nemo” and co-driver Riccardo Biordi finished in sixth, just 14.4 seconds ahead of Roberto Galluzzi/Andrea Montagnani in their Opel Corsa GSI. The two crews engaged in a fierce battle throughout the rally, with “Nemo” managing to edge out Galluzzi to secure a top-six finish.
In another thrilling duel, Federico Ormezzano/Maurizio Torlasco guided their Talbot Sunbeam Lotus to eighth place, narrowly beating Sebastiano Serpelloni/Nicola Petrin in their Ford Escort RS. The Piedmont-based crew displayed impressive skill on the Sardinian roads, flying the flag for Bassano Racing.
The road to Rally del Brunello
With the Rallye Vermentino Historicu now in the books, the focus shifts to the Rally del Brunello Storico on 29-30 November, where championship leaders will fight for the season’s ultimate prizes. As the CIRTS heads into its final round, both the 2WD and overall titles remain within reach, promising an exciting finale on the iconic stages that celebrate the legacy of historic rally cars.
Final Results
01: C. Mura/M. Demontis (Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4×4) – 1h 01m 44.3s
02: A. Tonelli/R. Debbi (Ford Escort RS 1800 MkII) + 8.0s
03: B. Pelliccioni/L. Ercolani (Ford Escort RS 1800 MkII) + 52.5s
04: P. Diana/D. Conti (Fiat 131 Abarth) + 1m 11.2s
05: S. Camporesi/P. Rossi (Lancia Delta Integrale 16V) + 7 m 50.2s
06: N. Mazza “Nemo”/R. Biordi (Ford Escort RS 1800 MkII) + 8m 04.6s
07: R. Galluzzi/A. Montagnani (Opel Corsa A GSI) + 8m 12.2s
08: F. Ormezzano/M. Torlasco (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus) + 8m 22.3s
09: S. Serpelloni/N. Petrin (Ford Escort RS) + 15m 44.6s
10: V. Orecchioni/M.G. Murgia (Peugeot 205 GTI) + 16m 00.4s
With the championship still up for grabs, the 4th Rally del Brunello Storico promises to be an electrifying finale to the season. Fans and teams alike eagerly await the showdown on the historic roads that have shaped rallying legends for generations. Stay tuned for more thrilling action and unforgettable moments as the Italian Historic Gravel Rally Championship draws to a close.