47th Rally Città di Pistoia opens entries for October showdown
The 47th Rally Città di Pistoia has opened its entry list, with registrations running until 5 October ahead of the event scheduled for 10–11 October. Organised by Pistoia Corse and Automobile Club Pistoia, the rally will serve as the final round of the Coppa Rally Zona 7 and offers crews competing in the regional championship a final opportunity to secure qualification for the national Coppa Italia final, set for Lucca in November.
The 2026 edition introduces several technical changes to enhance the competitive experience. The rally will feature nine special stages totalling 69.69 kilometres of timed running across a total distance of 277.47 kilometres. Saturday 10 October will host four stages, while Sunday 11 October will feature five. Notable additions include a new stage, "Serravalle" (1.69 km), set in the industrial zone near Casalguidi, and a revised layout for the "Casore" stage (14.68 km), which will follow a configuration unseen since 2013. The classic "Montevettolini" (7.33 km) and "San Baronto" (7.48 km) stages return, with the latter shortened from its traditional length.
Start and finish remain in Piazza Duomo at the heart of Pistoia's historic centre, with the opening stage beginning at 17:00 on Saturday. Overnight parking will take place in the main square from 22:05, with the rally resuming at 08:30 on Sunday and concluding at 17:00. The event is also valid for the ACI Pistoia Social Championship–Memorial Roberto Misseri, the Trofeo Rally Toscano, and Michelin and Pirelli Accademia trophies. Historic vehicles will compete in the eighth edition of the Coppa Città di Pistoia, while 2026 marks the debut of the 1st Rally Classic Città di Pistoia, reserved for cars built between 1993 and 2000.
The official presentation of the rally will take place on 27 September at La Cattedrale venue, coinciding with "BimbiRally", a road safety education initiative for children aged 4–10. Participants will navigate a mini circuit on pedal-powered vehicles, with support from the Misericordia di Pistoia and the Polizia Stradale. The winning child will receive a prize during the official closing ceremony on 11 October.