38th Elba Historic Rally set for September with European and Italian championships
The 38th Rallye Elba Storico – Trofeo Locman Italy will take place from 24 to 26 September, with entry deadline extended to Friday 18 September. Organised by ACI Livorno Sport, the event holds dual championship status: it counts as the seventh and penultimate round of the Italian Historic Rally Championship, and is valid for both series of the new European Historic Rally Championship format. The rally will also serve as the penultimate round of the Italian Historic Regularity Rally Championship, plus the Tuscan Rally Trophy, Abarth 112 Trophy, Michelin Historic Trophy, Memory Fornaca, and ACI Livorno Social Championship.
The new European format divides competitors into two categories by vehicle era: cars built between 1993 and 2000 in one series, and pre-1992 vehicles in another. Elba has been selected for both European series, reflecting the event's international prestige. The competitive distance will reach 140.08 kilometres across ten special stages. Two separate service parks have been established—one at Porto Azzurro for European Championship competitors and one at Capoliveri for Italian Championship participants—following FIA guidelines for operational efficiency.
The three-day format begins Thursday 24 September with a night-time stage in Capoliveri town centre. Friday 25 September moves action to the western part of the island with a regroup at Marciana Marina, while Saturday 26 September concludes with stages in the eastern section and a final finish in Capoliveri's historic centre. The route follows Elba's traditional character with ten selective special stages.
The European Pre-2000 championship sees Frenchman François Delecour leading with 110 points, ahead of Englishman Ernie Graham (69 points) and Irishman Alan Ring (65 points). In the Pre-1992 European series, Italian Antonio Parisi dominates Category 1 with 199 points against rival Palmieri's 146. Category 2 remains competitive with Englishman Perez leading Pole Lubiak by 21 points after the latter's Rally Ceredigion victory. The Italian Historic Rally Championship features tight battles across multiple groupings, notably in Group 4 where Matteo Luise leads Andrea Smiderle by just 10 points.
A special tribute to the Fiat 131 Abarth will run alongside the main event, celebrating the car's 50th anniversary since its debut at Elba in 1976 with Maurizio Verini and Markku Alén. Up to 30 Group 4 and road-going 131 Abarth examples will participate in a dedicated 98.63-kilometre route, with cars displayed in Capoliveri on Thursday before running the final two stages on Friday.