Gregori chases podium in Italian hillclimb championship finale

The Italian Super Salita championship heads toward its conclusion with two remaining rounds: the Luigi Fagioli Trophy in Gubbio (21–23 August) and the Coppa Nissena in Caltanissetta (11–13 September). Both events carry a 1.5 coefficient in points allocation, setting up a decisive finish to the season.

Michele Gregori, a 37-year-old driver from Pieve Santo Stefano, currently sits fourth in the E2SC-SS up-to-1600cc class standings with 41 points, piloting a Nova Proto NP03 with central driving position under Team Faggioli support. The car made its debut in mid-June at Trento-Bondone. Leading the class is Andrea Santo Di Caro with a perfect 100 points, followed by Michele Puglisi (75 points) and Filippo Ferretti (48 points). Gregori won this same class in 2022 driving a Gloria.

Gregori described the season as "more than positive" despite the mid-campaign switch to the new chassis. The updated Nova Proto NP03 features a newer engine, revised suspension geometry, and 30 centimetres of additional steering lock that aids visibility through chicanes. At Terminillo, he trimmed nearly 10 seconds from his previous times. "It's a year of growth for me," Gregori reflected, noting that Di Caro, Puglisi and Ferretti have demonstrated superior pace, though emerging talents Matteo De Luca and Gerardo Rosa in Osella Pa21 Jrb machinery have also made significant progress.

At Gubbio, competition will intensify with the return of Ivan Pezzolla, last year's absolute winner at the Luigi Fagioli Trophy, and French driver Kevin Petit. Gregori remains undecided on Caltanissetta but confirmed plans to race at Orvieto in late September. He narrowly missed the overall podium at Sarnano by 0.85 seconds, a result that would have been stronger had the second run not been cancelled.

Beyond competition, Gregori highlighted the camaraderie within the 1600cc class. "With Giancarlo Maroni, Andrea Santo Di Caro, Michele Puglisi, Filippo Ferretti and Mirko Torsellini, there is genuine friendship outside the car," he said. "On track there is healthy competition, but off it we often gather for dinner together. That spirit is what motorsport should teach everyone."