Schena clinches IRS Cup title with fifth straight hillclimb win

Damiano Schena has secured the International Race Salita (IRS) Cup championship in the 1150cc E2SC-SS class after taking victory at the Pedavena–Croce d'Aune hillclimb in the Belluno region. The result marks the driver's fifth consecutive win of the season and caps an exceptional campaign for the San Zeno di Montagna-based competitor.

Schena, piloting a Nova Proto NP03 prepared by Team Faggioli, finished fifth overall and first in class across both runs of the event. He had already secured the IRS Cup title mathematically before the weekend but was keen to compete at Pedavena, where he set a new class record—breaking a benchmark that had stood since 2023 when set by Simone Faggioli. The margin of victory in the second run was less than eight tenths of a second, with Schena holding an 18-centimetre advantage after the opening pass.

The championship success forms part of a broader campaign in the Italian Mountain Speed Championship (CIVM) northern zone, where Schena's maximum points haul at Pedavena strengthens his position ahead of the series finale. Schena drives for New Star 3 and is supported by Team Faggioli.