ilTornante

The Brescia-based team AC Racing Technology concluded the Italian hillclimb season with a dominant showing at the 71st Coppa Nissena on 12–13 September in Sicily, securing four national championship titles across different categories. Salvatore Tortora clinched the Italian Racing Start Cup championship in the top RS category, driving a Peugeot 308 for Imperial Racing Division. The Salerno driver completed a flawless season, with a standout performance at Gubbio in the penultimate round. In the GT category, Piero Nappi won the Super Cup Third Division title aboard a Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, while Sebastiano Frijo claimed the Super Cup Second Division crown in a Lamborghini Huracán. The team's success extended beyond the headline winners. Giovanni Angelini had already secured the RS Plus title at Gubbio, bringing the total to four championships. At Coppa Nissena, Angelo Loconte and Giovanni Loffredo both defended third-place finishes in the RSTB categories, each driving a Mini Cooper JCW. In the TCR class, Antonio Scorza narrowly missed victory, finishing second by less than one second. AC Racing Technology fielded five cars across the Sicilian event, spanning the Racing Start Turbo and RSTB2.0 classes alongside the championship-winning entries.

Simone Faggioli has secured his 20th Italian Supersalita (hillclimb) championship title following victory at the Coppa Nissena in Caltanissetta, Sicily. Driving a Nova Proto NP01 Bardahl, the Tuscan driver needed only two points to mathematically confirm the crown, but opted to pursue an outright win to close the season decisively. Faggioli topped the morning hillclimb run ahead of Stefano Di Fulvio and Samuele Cassibba, both also piloting Nova Proto machinery. A sudden storm prevented the scheduled second run from taking place, but Faggioli's maximum points from the opening ascent had already secured the championship. The victory held particular significance for the driver, marking his return to the Coppa Nissena circuit where he made his hillclimb debut in 1997. The 2026 season proved demanding for Faggioli, who balanced the Italian Supersalita campaign with a competing commitment at Pikes Peak in the United States, forcing him to miss one domestic championship round. Speaking after the race, Faggioli reflected on a competitive year: "The level of competition was genuinely high this season, and it was far from certain we would secure the title given the ambitious programme we had set. I must congratulate Stefano Di Fulvio and Mirko Torsellini on their second and third-place finishes—it was rewarding to compete against them." He also represented ACI Team Italia, the Italian motorsport federation's official team, throughout the championship. Faggioli attributed the achievement to the collective effort of his team, technical staff, family, and sponsors. The title marks a significant milestone in a career spanning nearly three decades in European hillclimb racing.

The 71st Coppa Nissena Historic hillclimb in Caltanissetta was cut short last weekend after only Sunday's opening race, with adverse weather forcing early abandonment of the event. The 5.45 km course, laid out on the SS 122 between Ponte Capodarso and Villaggio Santa Barbara, hosted the fifth round of the Sicilian Historic Speed Hillclimb Championship, with mixed results for the three Island Motorsport drivers competing. Alfredo Altopiano delivered the strongest performance for the team, piloting an Opel Kadett GTE in the 3rd Grouping to fifth place overall and first in the SIL/2000 class. The result marked his second outing of the season, following his debut at the Monte Erice Historic just over a week earlier. Teammate Stefano Parisi struggled in his Lancia Delta Integrale, finishing in the top ten of the 4th Grouping but crossing the line with difficulty after a fuel pressure regulator malfunction. Meanwhile, Beppe D'Anca secured third place among the Classic category entries in his Osella PA20/S BMW, though he too was hampered by persistent fuel system issues throughout the weekend. D'Anca's return to competition marked the end of a 13-year absence from racing, following an initial test run at Erice.

Gianluca Ticci has secured overall victory at the 2026 Garessio-San Bernardo hillclimb, piloting a Nova Proto NP 03 to the top step in a closely contested event organised by Team Supergara. The result marks Ticci's first win at the prestigious Italian climb and caps a strong season for the Ligurian driver, who has also triumphed at the Susa-Moncenisio and Cesana-Sestriere events earlier in the year. Competition remained tight throughout the three-run format, particularly in the Sport categories where multiple drivers battled for classification honours. In the decisive third run, Ticci posted his best time of 196.42 seconds, holding off Veldorale in a Radical SR4 (198.63) to secure the crown. Beppe Scozzafava (Radical SR4), Damiano Furnari (Elia Avrio ST 09) and Daniele Patete (Fiat X1.9) were among the other leading contenders, though Patete incurred a 10-second penalty for a cone infringement. In the Historic category, Silvano Bianciotto won aboard a Renault Clio Williams despite two 10-second penalties in the second run, ahead of Giacomo Stoppani (Kadett GTE) and Durante (Ford Sierra). Specialist class victories went to Sonia Castelli (Peugeot 106-Suzuki, Women), Gabriele Maiocco (Peugeot 208 VTI, Under 23), Capanna (Peugeot 208 GTI, RS Plus), Tuminello (Peugeot 106 S16, Group N) and Chiaberto (Skoda, Group A). Marco Riboni (Fiat 127-Renault) won Group E1 Italia, while Daniele Patete (Fiat X1.9) took Group E2 Silhouette honours. The event concluded the 2026 Italian Slalom Cup and Northern Trophy seasons. Final championship standings are under compilation, with Team Supergara confirming the 2027 calendar will continue the series' tradition of high-level grassroots competition.

The Coppa del Chianti Classico is shaping up as a major draw for historic hillclimb racing in Italy, with strong competitor interest already evident ahead of the event. Scheduled for 18–20 September, the 43rd edition of the Tuscan hillclimb will host the eighth and penultimate round of the Italian Historic Hillclimb Championship, bringing together a field of significant quality across multiple classes. Organised by Targa Racing Club in collaboration with Siena Racing Driver and supported by the Automobile Club Siena, the event will run on the Chiantigiana 222 route through the Chianti Classico hills. The provisional entry list, still awaiting final confirmations, already signals a competitive gathering of established drivers and historically significant machinery. Among the anticipated starters in Group 4 BC are Denny Zardo (Giada T118), Salvatore Riolo (PCR A06) and Piero Lottini (Osella PA 9/90), representing the sport prototype category that typically provides some of the most spectacular performances in historic hillclimb competition. Group 3 entries include Giuliano Peroni (Osella PA 8/9), alongside classic road-based machinery such as Sandro Gironi's Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV and Guido De Rege Di Donato's Porsche 911 SC. Group 2 is expected to feature significant automotive heritage, with entries including the Alpine A110 of Ettore Falchetti, the Alfa Romeo 1750 GTAm of Fosco Zambelli and the Ford Escort MK1 Twin Cam of Franco Ermini, alongside numerous Fiat Giannini and Abarth entries. Group 1 competitors are anticipated to include early-era hillclimb machinery such as Lola T212, Chevron B19 and Daren MK3 models, paired with Alfa Romeo, Mini Cooper and Abarth examples. The Classics category features Osella PA 20 entries for Giovanni Cassibba, Stefano Peroni and Mirko Torsellini, pending final confirmation.

Simone Faggioli secured his 20th Italian national championship title at the 71st Coppa Nissena hillclimb in Sicily, winning Race 1 on the technical SS122 course near Caltanissetta. Driving a Nova Proto NP01 for Best Lap, the Florentine driver set a new track record of 1'59.92 (with chicanes) to conclude the Italian Supersalita Championship season. Faggioli's victory marked his 11th success at the Nissena event, organised by the Automobile Club Caltanissetta. Stefano Di Fulvio of Scuderia Vesuvio finished second in a Turbo-spec NP01 on his debut at the event, while Samuele Cassibba from Ragusa claimed third place and top honours among Sicilian drivers. Race 2 was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions after the start. The event concluded the 2024 Supersalita Championship season and awarded titles across multiple categories. Giuseppe Aragona (Calabria) won the E1 group in a Volkswagen Golf 7 Audi, Marco Gramenzi (Teramo) took E2SH in an Alfa 4C, Salvatore Mondino (Cosenza) claimed the Racing Start Turbo title on a Seat Leon RS, and Salvatore Tortora (Salerno) won the Racing Start Cup in a Peugeot 308 RC. Selina Prantl secured the Ladies' Cup and Under 25 classification in TCR. A significant incident occurred during Race 1 when Kadija Mourtaji exited the track at the finish line in a Ferrari 296, striking the finish arch and touching the timing stand. The driver was unharmed, though three race officials sustained minor injuries. Competition resumed after a delay exceeding one hour. Despite the accident, Mourtaji finished first in the GT group with her Ferrari 296 Challenge GT Super Cup. Angelo Mercuri claimed his 12th Italian Two-Cylinder Championship title in a Fiat 500.

The 71st Coppa Nissena hillclimb will decide the Italian Supersalita championship on 13 September, with two race runs over the 5.45 km SS 122 course near Caltanissetta, Sicily. The event also serves as round 14 of the Italian Mountain Speed Championship South and round 8 of the Italian Two-Cylinder Championship, plus a qualifying round for the Sicilian Historic and Modern Car Hillclimb Championship. Racing begins at 09:00, with live coverage from 11:00 on ACI Sport TV (Sky 228, Tivùsat 52). Simone Faggioli set the fastest time during Friday's reconnaissance runs, clocking 2'02"86 in his Nova Proto NP 01. The Florentine driver, leading the national championship for Best Lap, has raced the Caltanissetta course since 1997. His closest rival, Stefano Di Fulvio from Abruzzo, is making his debut on the circuit and will pilot a turbocharged Nova Proto. Other competitive entries in the top class include Mirko Torsellini (Siena), Franco Caruso and Samuele Cassibba (both Comiso), all on Nova Proto NP 01 machinery. In the GT categories, Kadija Mourtaji (Macerata) impressed in her Ferrari 296 Super Cup, while Piero Nappi (Naples) showed strong pace in a Porsche 992. The TCR class features Gennaro Manolio (Basilicata) on an Audi RS3LMS DSG, and Selina Prantl (South Tyrol) on a Volkswagen Golf, who needs only a minimal score to secure the DSG class, Ladies Cup and Under 25 Trophy. In the Racing Start categories, Salvatore Guzzetta (Catania) leads the 2000cc naturally aspirated class on a Renault Clio, while a title battle looms in the turbo division between Salvatore Mondino and Antonio Aquila (both Cosenza) in Seat Leon Station Wagons. Historic racing entries include Orazio Maccarrone (Giarre) on a Gloria C7, Antonio Piazza (Palermo) debuting a rare Osella PA8 in the 3rd Grouping, and Quintino Gianfilippo (Palermo) in an Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT for the 2nd Grouping. The event is organised by the Automobile Club Caltanissetta.

The 53rd Garessio-San Bernardo hillclimb will take place on 12–13 September on the historic SS 582 mountain road in Piedmont, with 95 entries confirmed. Organised by Supergara and counting towards the Trofeo Nord, the event serves as the sixth and decisive round of the ACI Sport Slalom 1st Zone Cup, with multiple category titles still wide open and tight point gaps promising high drama on race day. The Garessio-San Bernardo has deep roots in Italian motorsport history, tracing back to its inaugural edition in 1956 when Piero Campanella won in an Alfa Romeo Giulietta SV. The event transitioned from a timed hillclimb to slalom format and now runs over a 4.18-kilometre section of the mountain pass, starting at km 3.37 and finishing at km 7.55. Luigi Taramazzo holds the record for most victories with eight wins, while the roll of honour includes celebrated drivers such as Ada Pace and more recently Fabio Emanuele and Alessandro Polini. The E2 SC category will again be the headline attraction, with Damiano Furnari (Elia Avrio ST 09, 11 points) and Luca Veldorale (Radical SR4, 13 points) locked in a tight battle for outright honours. Behind them, Stefano Repetto and Giuseppe Scozzafava, both in Radical SR4s, sit at 7 and 5 points respectively and remain in contention. Other categories show similarly compressed standings: in Kart Cross, leader "Bomberos" (17 points) faces pressure from Loris and Ivan Cocino; the E2SH Silhouette class is separated by just one point between Palmiro Strizzi (7 points) and challengers Daniele Patete and Mauro Piana (both 6 points); and in the Special Slalom group, Paolo Bordo leads with 12 points over Fortunato Morabito at 9. Among road-going categories, absences of leading competitors create opportunities: in Group A, local driver Marco Strata (Skoda Fabia Evo, 6 points) can move to the top with a solid result, while in Group RS Plus, Gianfranco Vigo (Renault Clio Williams, 5 points) needs only to finish to claim the zone title. The Historic Cars category will add a museum-quality dimension to the event, featuring entries including an Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6, Ford Sierra Cosworth, BMW 2002 TI, Fiat 124 Abarth, and Innocenti Mini Cooper. Saturday 12 September will host accreditation at Villa Gobbi (15:30–18:30) and technical checks at Piazzale del Peso Pubblico (16:00–19:00). Sunday 13 September begins with additional technical verification, followed by a regularity run at 10:45, official course reconnaissance at 11:00, and three timed runs to determine the winner and award crucial zone championship points.

The Italian Supersalita Championship reaches its conclusion at the 71st Coppa Nissena hillclimb in Caltanissetta, with the season finale set to determine several national titles across multiple classes. GT Racing will field five entries for the decisive weekend, each competing for championship honours or crucial points in their respective categories. Gabry Driver, competing for Best Lap, arrives at the final round still in contention for the GTCUP title. Piloting a Ferrari 458, the driver from Cosenza will contest both runs of the Nissena course with the aim of maximising points in what could prove a decisive battle for the championship. In the TCR category, Selina Prantl from South Tyrol leads the DSG class standings and will seek to secure the title at Caltanissetta. The championship leader is expected to pursue maximum points to confirm her 2026 crown, while also defending her position in the broader group classification. Kristian Fiorucci, racing for Scuderia Città di Gubbio, will continue his development programme in a Peugeot 308 CUP, building on recent progress made at his home event. Salvo Mondino, representing Cosenza Corse, arrives in Sicily with the Racing Start Turbo RS 2.0 TB title within reach. The driver from Lucca will pilot a Seat Leon and faces a critical test to close the gap to the championship lead. Completing the GT Racing lineup is Salvatore Gioè, a local driver who will contest the RS 2.0 TB class in a Mini JCW, aiming to rediscover his rhythm on the challenging Nissena layout.

The 71st Coppa Nissena – Trofeo Michele Tornatore – 1° Memorial Livio Alessi – Memorial Luigi Campione will take place in Caltanissetta, Sicily, from 11–13 September, serving as the decisive round of the 2026 Italian Hillclimb Championship. The event, organised by the Automobile Club Caltanissetta, has attracted 174 registered competitors who will contest the 5.450-kilometre course on the SS122 state road, running from Ponte Capodarso to Villaggio Santa Barbara. The hillclimb will also count towards the 14th round of the Italian South Mountain Speed Championship, the Italian "Two-Cylinder" Championship, and the Sicilian Historic and Modern Hillclimb Championship. Preliminary operations begin on Friday 11 September with administrative checks from 14:00 to 19:00 at Stadio Tomaselli-Pian del Lago and technical inspections from 14:30 to 19:30 at the Pala Cannizzaro sports complex. Driver briefings are scheduled for 16:30 and 18:30. Saturday 12 September will be reserved for official reconnaissance runs on the full course, with two sessions starting at 09:00 and continuing sequentially. The competitive action takes place on Sunday 13 September, with Race 1 commencing at 09:00 and Race 2 following immediately after. Both runs will determine the outcome of both the Coppa Nissena and the Italian Hillclimb Championship. ACI Sport TV will provide daily coverage on Friday and Saturday at 21:30, with live broadcast of Sunday's races from 11:00 (Race 1) and 14:00 (Race 2) on Sky channel 228 and Tivùsat channel 52, as well as via ACI Sport TV's social media channels. The event has received backing from local authorities and regional institutions, with a public engagement programme including a road safety roundtable on 22 September and a historic vehicle convoy event on 11 October.

Imperial Racing Division will field four drivers at the 71st Coppa Nissena, the final round of the Italian Supersalita Championship, as the season draws to a close. The Sicilian hillclimb will serve as the decisive event for several title contenders aiming to secure championship honours. Salvatore Tortora, piloting a Peugeot 308 run by AC Racing, arrives at Caltanissetta as the RS Cup championship leader. Representing Scuderia Ateneo, Tortora needs only to complete one of the two runs to clinch the title and add another significant Italian accolade to his record. Antonio Aquila of Scuderia Vesuvio will mount a challenge from second place in both the RS and RS 2.0 Turbo classifications, driving a Seat Leon prepared by SP Racing. The Calabrian driver will attempt to overturn the championship standings across the two decisive runs. Gianni Loffredo, also representing Scuderia Vesuvio, will seek a strong result in the RS 1.6 Turbo class, aiming for a podium finish in the absolute standings. Antonio Scorza completes the Imperial Racing Division lineup, driving a Cupra TCR fielded by the Abate brothers. Scorza holds second place in the TCR class and will target crucial points to consolidate his position and conclude what has been an inconsistent season on a high note.

The tenth edition of the Altofonte Rebuttone slalom will take place on 13 September in Sicily, drawing 46 competitors to the 3.8 km course laid out across provincial roads connecting Altofonte and Piana degli Albanesi. The event carries validity for both the Sicilian slalom championship (round 14) and the fourth Challenge degli Emiri series (round 3 of 2026), alongside the Memorial Presidente Gaetano Armanno and Coppa Ninni Mulè trophies. Among the field are several leading regional specialists. Salvatore Catanzaro from Sciacca has claimed four consecutive slalom victories this season in his Gloria B5 Evo with Suzuki engine, while Francesco Bigione from Marsala and Riccardo Cerniglia from Misilmeri are also expected to contend. Other notable entries include Nino Di Matteo, winner at Mussomeli this year, piloting a Gloria C8F Evo Suzuki. In the Challenge degli Emiri standings after two rounds, Gianfranco Barbaccia from Belmonte Mezzagno leads the Modern class with 34 points in a Fiat 126 Proto, ahead of Gianni Carfì on 29.5 points. Three-time Italian slalom champion Angelica Giamboi from Messina heads the Women's category with 27 points in a Fiat X1/9 Coupé Dallara, while Fabio Cardella from Trapani leads the Historic class on 31.5 points in a Peugeot 106 Rallye. The event is part of a broader "Festival dei Sapori & dei Motori" (Festival of Flavours and Motors) running from 11–13 September, celebrating local olive oil and regional gastronomy. Preliminary scrutineering for competitors and vehicles takes place on 12 September from 15:00 to 19:30 in Piazza Falcone e Borsellino. Racing begins on 13 September with three timed runs plus reconnaissance for qualified drivers. The event will also honour Giuseppe Bisconti and Karol Greco, two young drivers who died in a serious accident at the 68th Monte Erice hillclimb the previous Sunday.