33rd Rally Alto Appennino Bolognese set for September showdown
The 33rd Rally Alto Appennino Bolognese (RAAB) will take place on 12–13 September, serving as the final round of the Zone 6 Rally Cup and determining which crews will qualify for the national final in Lucca in November. Organised by MaremmaCorse 2.0 with support from the Bologna Automobile Club and local authorities, the event will run across the Apennine roads near Castiglione dei Pepoli. Entry closes on 7 September.
The rally features ten special stages totalling 63.7 kilometres of timed running within an overall route of 272.2 kilometres. The opening stage, "Castiglione dei Pepoli" (1.6 km), is a short opener combining flat terrain with a gentle climb. The "Valserena" stage (6.33 km) is repeated three times and is described as one of the most selective, mixing flat forest sections with demanding descents and tight corners. "Sparvo" (7.0 km, run three times) demands precision and concentration, featuring a mid-stage jump. The "Traserra" stage (7.37 km, run three times) is a historic route combining narrow, uneven sections through hamlets with faster passages and undulations.
Modern rally cars will compete alongside historic vehicles and classic cars (produced 1991–2000 under international regulations). The event has a distinguished history; past winners include Tosi, who won last year in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, alongside names such as Bandieri, Battaglin, Fontana, and Sossella. Action begins on Saturday 12 September at 18:01 from Castiglione dei Pepoli – La Torretta, with overnight reordering in Piazza del Mercato. Sunday's restart is scheduled for 07:30, with the finish in Piazza della Libertà from 17:00. Two service parks will operate at Roncobilaccio.