Monte Erice hillclimb kicks off 68th edition with technical checks

The 68th Monte Erice hillclimb, organised by the Automobile Club Trapani, opened its doors with technical and sporting scrutineering on Friday ahead of racing. The event counts towards the Italian Historic Speed Hillclimb Championship (CIVSA), Italian Mountain Speed Championship (CIVM), and Classic Car Tricolour series.

Verification sessions ran from 08:30 to 17:30 in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele in central Trapani, drawing thousands of spectators to view the competing machinery before the uphill battle along the winding route from Valderice to the Erice summit. The evening programme included the awards ceremony for the second edition of the Salvatore Morselli Prize, honouring the late Trapani-based motorsport journalist. Francesca Aiuto secured the award with over 40% of votes cast by a panel of specialist journalists, chaired by Franco Cammarasana of La Gazzetta dello Sport. Three other finalists—Vincenzo Garraffa, Andrea Raiti, and Totò Riolo—also received recognition.

A mandatory drivers' briefing followed at 18:30, led by race director Fabrizio Fondacci, to confirm final technical details ahead of competition. Giovanni Pellegrino, president of Automobile Club Trapani, described the weekend as an opportunity to celebrate sport, passion, and regional heritage, noting the event's role in promoting both national motorsport excellence and local tourism while honouring figures such as Morselli who documented the sport's history.