Lombardo crowned Italian Group E1 hillclimb champion

Francesco Lombardo has claimed the Italian Group E1 hillclimb championship in the CIVM Sud series, delivering a dominant season at the wheel of his Peugeot 205 1400cc. Competing for the Catanzaro-based New Generation Racing team, the Sicilian driver produced a string of record-breaking performances across the calendar, establishing himself as the standout competitor in his class.

Lombardo's campaign saw him consistently outpace rivals across a demanding schedule of events. From Giarre to Orvieto, he accumulated commanding class victories and top-group finishes, with his most notable benchmark a 3:28.26 at Orvieto. Notably, he competed in several rounds where the CIVM Sud calendar intersected with the Italian Supersalita Championship, and despite his 1400cc class being excluded from scoring in the national championship, Lombardo regularly finished ahead of competitors in higher-displacement categories.

The driver attributed his success to meticulous preparation and teamwork. In a statement, Lombardo highlighted the behind-the-scenes effort: "If some are surprised by these performances and times, it is only because they do not see or do not wish to see the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. Few know how much effort goes into the workshop. The result is all there. It is the fruit of sweat, sacrifice and total dedication to achieve something beautiful."

Lombardo extended thanks to his family, mechanic Orazio Impellizzeri, and the New Generation Racing organisation, alongside technical partners including Rgcartronik, Autocarrozzeria Borrello, Artist Car, Borelli Mechanical Engineering, RS Scocche and Tecno Suspension. His 2026 campaign underscores the competitive potential of well-prepared 1400cc machinery in Italian hillclimb racing, despite regulatory constraints that exclude the class from certain national championships.