Coviello dominates Muro Lucano hillclimb despite mechanical drama

Carmelo Coviello secured victory at the Città di Muro Lucano hillclimb—the fourth round of the ACI Sport 4th Zone Cup and tenth of the 23rd Campania-Puglia-Basilicata Interregional Challenge—driving his Osella PA21 on the winding roads of the former Appian Way near Potenza. The event, organised by Basilicata Motorsport and backed by the local municipality, saw Coviello post a commanding best time of 2'19.74 in the third run to secure the overall win.

Coviello's victory came despite significant adversity. The driver revealed after the race that he was still recovering from a recent arm injury and faced a critical mechanical failure mid-event: a broken half-shaft during the second run forced his team into emergency repairs. "It wasn't easy," Coviello explained. "I'm still not at my best physically, and the car broke down in the second pass. Thanks to the team's quick work, we managed to fix it in time and get back out there." The race was also marked by the absence of Saverio Miglionico, Coviello's main rival, who withdrew before the first run due to mechanical issues with his Radical Prosport.

Domenico Palumbo from Lucera finished second, just 2.44 seconds behind in a Radical SR4 Suzuki, while Alessandro Lovallo from Potenza claimed third place in an identical machine. Giuseppe Palumbo took fourth in an Osella PA21 Suzuki, ahead of Antonio Tizzani in a Formula Gloria, who won the E2SS class. Class winners across the field included Fabio Irenze (E2SH, Fiat 112 Proto), Marcello Bisogno (E1 Italia, Fiat 127), and Luca Calace, who topped the Kart Cross category and the Under 23 classification.

In the touring car categories, Emanuele Pace (Peugeot 106) led the competitive N-class field, while Natalio Ostuni (Peugeot 106) won Racing Start series honours. Paola Pepe (Citroën Saxo VTS) claimed the Ladies' special classification, and Massimo Lojacono and Lucia Zerbi won the Touring Slalom in a Lancia Beta Montecarlo. The Memorial Canio Vazza award was presented to young driver Mattia Capezzera, with Coviello sportingly handing over the prize.