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Monte Erice Hillclimb sets entry record with 107 historic cars
ilT·3 September
Monte Erice Hillclimb sets entry record with 107 historic cars
The 11th Monte Erice Storica hillclimb, scheduled for 4–6 September 2026, has reached a record entry of 107 competitors, cementing its status as one of the most popular rounds of the Italian Historic Car Speed Championship (CIVSA). Organised by the Automobile Club Trapani, the event will serve as the seventh round of CIVSA and will also count towards the Italian Classic Car Championship and the Sicilian Historic Hillclimb Championship. The Trapani weekend will run in parallel with the 68th Monte Erice, reserved for modern cars and counting towards the Italian Mountain Speed Championship South and the Sicilian Hillclimb Championship. The dual format has established Erice as a centrepiece of the season, blending historic machinery, technical challenge and strong participation. The course covers 5,730 metres of the SR 1 Immacolatella road, one of Italy's most celebrated hillclimb venues. Saturday will feature two reconnaissance runs, while Sunday's two timed runs—directed by Fabrizio Fondacci and Francesco Sanclemente—will award championship points. Among the headline contenders, Salvatore "Totò" Riolo, winner of the 2025 edition and a dominant force in the 4th Grouping, returns with the aim of defending his title. Other notable entries include Tiberio Nocentini (Chevron B19 Cosworth) and Harald Mössler (Daren Mk3) in the 1st Grouping, and Giovanni Cassibba (Osella PA 20/S BMW), the leader of the Auto Classiche championship, seeking to extend his advantage. The 3rd Grouping promises close competition among Fiat X1/9 runners, BMW Silhouettes and various touring car classes. The event schedule begins Friday 4 September with technical and sporting checks in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele (08:00–17:30) and a driver briefing at 18:30. Saturday's two reconnaissance runs will be followed by the decisive two-run competition on Sunday. The record entry underscores Monte Erice's growing importance in the Italian historic motorsport calendar.
Michelin Le Mans Cup heads to Silverstone with titles on the line
ilT·3 September
Michelin Le Mans Cup heads to Silverstone with titles on the line
The Michelin Le Mans Cup enters its decisive phase with a 2-hour race at Silverstone's Grand Prix circuit on Saturday, 12 September 2026. The event marks only the second time the British venue has hosted the series and arrives with multiple championship crowns potentially within reach, with just two rounds remaining before the season finale at Portimão. The grid will be notably strong, featuring 45 cars, 90 drivers, 31 teams and representatives from 29 nations. British representation is substantial, with nine domestic drivers and four home-based teams spread across the three categories: LMP3, LMP3 Pro/Am and GT3. With a maximum of 52 points still available across the final two races, Silverstone could prove decisive in determining several champions. LMP3: Peugeot and Frost eye title clinch The LMP3 class will be the most populated category with 24 entries. Leaders Enzo Peugeot and Danial Frost, driving the Duqueine-Toyota no. 85 for R-ace GP, arrive with a 30-point advantage following their second victory of the season at Spa-Francorchamps. A win at Silverstone would mathematically secure both the drivers' and teams' titles for 2026. Closest challengers are Arthur Rogeon and August Raber on the Ligier-Toyota no. 12 Brutal Fish by Campos, second on 57 points after victories at Le Mans and Spa. Lucas Fluxá Cross and Matus Ryba (no. 19 Brutal Fish by Campos) sit third with 50 points, while Colin Queen and Giovanni Maschio (no. 50 23Events Racing) remain in contention on 45 points. British representation in LMP3 includes Maxwell Dodds with ANS Motorsport, who scored his first pole position in the series at Spa. Jude Peters will race with Team Virage, Haydn Chance with M Racing, and Isaac Barashi with 23Events Racing. Nielsen Racing returns with two cars, while Vector Sport RLR fields one entry. ANS Motorsport will make a driver change, with Australian Jack Taylor replacing Arthur Pavie in the no. 6 Ligier. LMP3 Pro/Am: Defending champions seek confirmation Eleven cars will contest the Pro/Am category, where defending champions Eric De Doncker and Gillian Henrion lead with the Ligier-Toyota no. 98 Motorsport98. Following their third victory at Spa, they hold a 27-point margin and can secure the title if they maintain this advantage over their nearest rivals. Steve Parrow and Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen (Ligier no. 66 Rinaldi Racing) sit second on 70 points but remain without a win this season. Third-placed Jacek Zielonka and Léo Sami Robinson (Ligier no. 62 Bretton Racing) scored at Barcelona and sit on 64 points. The category will feature Indian cinema star Ajith Kumar, competing in the Ligier no. 16 Ajith RedAnt by Virage alongside Frenchman Romain Vozniak. P4 Racing will be the sole British team in the Pro/Am class, with Andrew Ferguson and Louis Hamilton-Smith seeking to recover from a difficult first half of the season. GT3: Hasse Clot returns to lead Ten GT3 cars will compete, with Valentin Hasse Clot returning to the Aston Martin no. 10 Racing Spirit of Léman after missing Spa. The Frenchman, partnered with Philipp Sager, holds a 21-point lead in the class standings. British driver Oscar Lee Ryndziewicz will be among the weekend's key figures. He arrives on the back of a perfect Spa performance—pole position and class victory in the Ferrari no. 21 Kessel Racing—and will race at home alongside Italian Giacomo Altoè. Thomas Canning will also represent Britain, driving an Aston Martin Vantage for Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn with Swiss team owner Claude Bovet. The GT3 grid will feature competitive machinery across Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin and McLaren entries. Defending champions Eliseo Donno and Alessandro Cozzi return in the Ferrari no. 51, while David Cleto Fumanelli and Lorenzo Ferdinando Innocenti (Ferrari no. 17 Kessel Racing) bring strong form after wins at Le Castellet and a second-place finish at Spa.
Italian Rally Challenger heads to 1000 Miglia for title fight
ilT·3 September
Italian Rally Challenger heads to 1000 Miglia for title fight
The Italian Rally Challenger Championship resumes after the summer break with the 49th Rally 1000 Miglia on 4–5 September, marking the fourth round and a pivotal moment in the season. Organised by Automobile Club Brescia, the event will feature 92 entries including all major championship contenders, several wild-card entries, and international talent. The rally spans over 116 competitive kilometres with a technical and spectator-friendly layout that has established it as one of the season's most anticipated events. The centrepiece remains the legendary Pertiche stage, a 26 km test that will be tackled twice on Friday, with the second pass run in darkness. Saturday's action shifts to Bione, Marmentino, and Sabbio Chiese–Dall'Era Valerio, the latter serving as the Power Stage on its second pass. The format demands immediate pace and precision from crews, with minimal margin for error from the opening kilometres. Marco Signor leads the championship with 44 points, piloting a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 with co-driver Daniele Michi for EASI. He arrives as favourite after winning Rally della Marca and collecting two second-place finishes in the opening rounds. Corrado Pinzano sits second on 34 points, sharing a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 with Mauro Turati for PA Racing, while Giuseppe Dipalma holds third with 32 points alongside Roberto Mometti in another Fabia. Dipalma won the first two rounds but missed Rally della Marca, making the 1000 Miglia crucial for his title hopes. Alessandro Re (30 points) and Stefano Albertini (18 points) complete the leading group, with Albertini enjoying home advantage on the Brescia-based event. The entry list extends beyond the championship regulars. Four-time Italian Rally Champion Andrea Crugnola will contest the event as a test run in a Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale with Luca Beltrame, preparing for Rally del Lazio. Two WRC+ cars will also compete: a Hyundai i20 WRC+ for Luca Pedersoli and Anna Tomasi, and a Citroën C3 WRC+ for Mattia Colpani and Walter Pasini. The Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Next Generation programme brings five international crews, including Estonian talent Jaspar Vaher with Janni Hussi on a GR Yaris Rally2. Title races extend across multiple categories. In the Over55 class, Maurizio Mauri leads and can clinch the championship with two rounds remaining. In Rally3, Stefano Roncadori and Luca Silvi can secure the title with two races to spare. The Rally5 category remains tight, with Kevin Caliaro leading by just four points over Michele Barri and Mirko Franzi. In the Two-Wheel Drive class, Nicolò Ardizzone holds a seven-point advantage over Igor Iani, who is absent from the 1000 Miglia. The rally begins Friday 4 September with a 2 km shakedown at Puegnago del Garda from 07:30. The first stage runs the Pertiche at 15:45, followed by a second pass at 20:33 under floodlights. Between stages, Manerba del Garda hosts a regrouping and public presentation of the championship crews. Saturday features six stages across two loops: Bione (6.13 km), Marmentino (17.35 km), and Sabbio Chiese–Dall'Era Valerio (9 km), with the final Power Stage pass at 16:07. The finish is scheduled for Brescia's Piazzale Arnaldo at 18:00. With only two rounds remaining after the 1000 Miglia—Rally Città di Bassano on 11 October and Trofeo Villa d'Este ACI Como on 8 November (at 1.5× coefficient)—this event carries disproportionate weight. A strong result here could provide decisive psychological and numerical advantage heading into the finale, while a poor showing could prove difficult to recover from.
Monte Erice hillclimb prioritises safety with 100 marshals and emergency protocols
ilT·3 September
Monte Erice hillclimb prioritises safety with 100 marshals and emergency protocols
The 68th edition of Monte Erice, a hillclimb event organised by the Automobile Club Trapani, will take place this weekend with safety as the central focus. Verification runs begin on Friday, with competitive action scheduled for Saturday and Sunday across the Valderice and Erice stages. The event counts towards the Italian Historic Speed Hillclimb Championship, Italian Mountain Speed Championship, and Italian Historic Speed Hillclimb Classic Championship. Race director Fabrizio Fondacci outlined an extensive safety operation involving approximately 100 marshals stationed across 35 positions along the course, plus additional personnel at start, finish, paddock and closed park zones. Fire and rescue services include eight personnel operating four vehicles, supplemented by SOS Valderice emergency cover. Two equipped fire service modules and two water cisterns—provided by the municipalities of Valderice and Erice—are positioned along the route. Six recovery vehicles and off-road units are deployed to assist stranded competitors. Spectators have been issued strict guidelines to ensure safe event operations. Parking areas must be respected, with access roads kept clear for emergency vehicle movement. The road will close to public traffic at 05:30 on both Saturday and Sunday, though workers may transit until 06:45. After that time, the course is sealed to all vehicles, including drivers staying in Erice. Spectators must remain within designated zones marked by orange barriers or tape, maintaining safe distance from the roadway. Sitting behind straw bales or in non-designated areas is prohibited. All attendees must follow marshal and police instructions, and lighting fires, using portable stoves, or creating any hazard is strictly forbidden.
Monte Erice 2026: 68th edition set for September with record historic entries
ilT·2 September
Monte Erice 2026: 68th edition set for September with record historic entries
The 68th Monte Erice hillclimb will take place from 4–6 September 2026, organised by the Automobile Club Trapani. The event will serve as a qualifying round for the Italian Mountain Velocity Championship, the Italian Historic Mountain Velocity Championship, and the Italian Classic Mountain Velocity Championship, alongside the 11th Historic Monte Erice edition. A total of 260 competitors have entered across 153 modern cars and 107 historic vehicles—a new record for the historic category, surpassing the previous high of 97 entries. The 5.7 km course runs along the SR 1 Immacolatella–Erice road, starting at km 1+200 and finishing at km 6+930 near Viale delle Pinete, with an elevation gain of approximately 410 metres. Friday 4 September will host technical and sporting checks in Trapani's Piazza Vittorio Emanuele from 09:00–17:30, followed by a drivers' briefing at 18:30 in Erice. Saturday 5 September features official reconnaissance runs beginning at 08:00, while Sunday 6 September comprises two competitive runs with the same start time. Results will be posted after each class and group finishes, with prize-giving at Piazza Porta Trapani in Erice after the protest period closes. A significant innovation for 2026 is expanded media coverage. For the first time, the event will be broadcast live on television via Sestarete (channel 81 on Italian digital terrestrial), YouTube on the official NaxosProracing channel, and across Facebook pages including Naxos Proracing, VideoSportAM, and Automobile Club Trapani. This marks the first occasion the Saturday reconnaissance runs will receive live coverage alongside Sunday's racing. Official timing, documents, and classifications will be available through the online race bulletin and via the Sportity app using password Monterice2026. The weekend will also feature a territorial component, with the Villaggio del Gusto food and produce showcase running during Friday's checks in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, highlighting local specialities from the Trapani province. Race direction has been entrusted to Fabrizio Fondacci, with Francesco Sanclemente as assistant race director. The dual-race format on Sunday will require competitors to balance aggression with consistency on a track known for its technical demands and narrow margin for error.
Pernot claims maiden Turckheim victory at 70th hillclimb anniversary
HCF·2 September
Pernot claims maiden Turckheim victory at 70th hillclimb anniversary
Marc Pernot secured his first overall victory at the Turckheim hillclimb during the event's 70th anniversary edition, piloting his Nova NP 01-2 C Hartley Turbo to the top step. The French driver, already confirmed as the new French hillclimb champion for the season, delivered an impressive performance on the nearly 6 km Alsatian course to claim the honour at the milestone event. Only two race runs took place due to various incidents during the weekend, with the fastest time counting towards the final classification. Maxime Dojat finished second overall in his Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo, also securing victory in the 3-litre E2-SC sportprototype class. Belgian Corentin Starck completed the overall podium in third place, also driving a Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo and taking second in the 3-litre E2-SC category. Swiss driver Victor Darbellay narrowly missed the podium in fourth, just 0.72 seconds behind Pernot in his first outing at Turckheim with a Nova NP 01-2 Hartley Turbo, while claiming second place in the 2-litre E2-SC class. French driver Etienne Pernot rounded out the top five overall and won the CN+ class in his Norma M20FC 4-litre BMW. Swiss Joel Volluz finished sixth overall, just 0.4 seconds adrift, and took third in the 3-litre E2-SC category with his Norma M20FC Judd Evo C. In the Trophée classification, German-Slovenian Patrik Zajelsnik prevailed in his Nova NP 01-2 Honda Turbo, with Luxembourg's Dany Demuth second in a Norma M20FC Judd and fellow Luxembourger Canio Marchione third in a Revolt 3P0 Honda Turbo. Local favourite Nicolas Werver dominated the touring car category, winning in his Porsche 997 GT3 R. The event took place in fine weather and attracted numerous drivers from neighbouring countries to celebrate the 70-year milestone of the Turckheim classic.
ERC Ceredigion Rally 2026 schedule confirmed for September
RandR·2 September
ERC Ceredigion Rally 2026 schedule confirmed for September
The FIA European Rally Championship will visit Wales for the penultimate round of the 2026 season with the Ceredigion Rally, scheduled for 4–6 September on asphalt roads. The event will feature two Polish crews: Miko Marczyk and Jakub Matulka. Organisers have planned 16 special stages totalling 191.34 km. The rally begins with a ceremonial start on Thursday evening in Aberystwyth, with competitive action running from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Schedule Thursday, 3 September 16:00 – Ceremonial start, Aberystwyth Friday, 4 September 09:00 – Shakedown (Pendam, 6.41 km) 18:55 – Rally start 19:05 – SS1 Aberystwyth 1 (1.23 km) 19:35 – SS2 Aberystwyth 2 (1.23 km) 20:50 – SS3 Elerch (6.28 km) 21:30 – SS4 Blaenmelindwr (9.28 km) Friday's leg covers 127.54 km. Saturday, 5 September 08:55 – SS5 Aberffrwd 1 (12.02 km) 09:50 – SS6 Soar Y Mynydd 1 (20.80 km) 11:45 – SS7 Cwm Elan 1 (20.71 km) 14:20 – SS8 Aberffrwd 2 (12.02 km) 15:15 – SS9 Soar Y Mynydd 2 (20.80 km) 17:10 – SS10 Cwm Elan 2 (20.71 km) 18:25 – SS11 Aberystwyth 3 (1.23 km) 18:40 – SS12 Aberystwyth 4 (1.23 km) Crew will retire to a closed park in Aberystwyth after Saturday's action. Sunday, 6 September 08:15 – SS13 Gorsgoch 1 (20.64 km) 09:05 – SS14 Ty Glyn 1 (11.26 km) 12:00 – SS15 Gorsgoch 2 (20.64 km) 14:05 – SS16 Ty Glyn 2 (11.26 km) – Power Stage 15:05 – Finish ceremony, Aberystwyth 16:05 – Rally finish Sunday's leg totals 63.80 km. The longest stage is Soar Y Mynydd at 20.80 km.
Italian GT heads to Imola for decisive Endurance and GT4 rounds
ilT·2 September
Italian GT heads to Imola for decisive Endurance and GT4 rounds
The Italian GT championship returns to Imola's Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari from 4–6 September for a weekend that could reshape the 2026 season. The circuit will host the third of four rounds in the Italian GT Endurance Championship and the penultimate event of the GT4 Italy Series, with both competitions entering their decisive phase. A total of 52 cars are expected in the Endurance race and 17 crews in the GT4 Italy Series. In the GT3 Endurance standings, Edoardo Liberati, Mattia Michelotto and Ignazio Zanon lead the absolute classification with 43 points aboard the VSR Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2, following their victory in the three-hour race at Monza. They hold a ten-point advantage over Balzan-Medler (Ferrari 296 GT3, Rinaldi Racing), winners at Misano, with Donno-Pollini-Segù (Lamborghini, DL Racing) third on 29 points. The margin remains significant but not decisive; Imola's points allocation system means the standings could shift substantially. In the GT4 Italy Series Pro-Am class, Giacomo Maman and Gustavo Sandrucci arrive with 105 points and four consecutive victories on the BMW M4 GT4 Evo (Casals Motorsport), holding a commanding 46-point lead. They have a concrete opportunity to secure the title at Imola, with four rounds remaining before the season finale at Monza. In GT4 Am, Wagner-Trentin (Mercedes AMG GT4, X Motors-Trivellato) lead with 85 points, just six ahead of Anastasopoulos-Ceresoli (Mercedes AMG, CZ Bassano). The GT Cup will field 15 cars across two divisions. In the first division Pro-Am, Barbolini-Al Rifai-Patrinicola command with 62 points on the Ferrari 296 Challenge (Spirit of Racing), while in the Am class Ferrara-Galli lead with 64 points, reinforced at Imola by the addition of Simone Iaquinta. The second division Pro-Am sees Bodellini-Riva-Schofield (Ferrari 488 Challenge, SR&R) ahead by just two points over Benedetti-Lanza-Santi (Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Apex Competition). Track action begins Friday 4 September with free practice. GT4 Italy Series qualifying takes place Friday at 18:00 and 18:25, with races on Saturday at 12:10 and Sunday at 10:45 (both 50 minutes plus one lap). Endurance qualifying runs Saturday from 14:00, with the three-hour race starting Sunday at 12:05. All key sessions will be broadcast on ACI Sport TV (Sky channel 228, Tivùsat channel 52) and streamed via the Italian GT Championship website and social media.
Island Motorsport fields six drivers at 11th Erice hillclimb
ilT·2 September
Island Motorsport fields six drivers at 11th Erice hillclimb
Island Motorsport, led by Eros Di Prima, will field six competitors at the 11th Salita Storica Monte Erice on 7–8 September 2026 in Sicily. The event serves as the seventh round of the Italian Historic Speed Hillclimb Championship (CIVSA) and will also count towards the Southern Italian Speed Mountain Championship in the modern category. Among the historic division entries, Giuseppe Gulotta returns to competition after a seven-year absence, piloting a Stenger BMW in the 4th Grouping. The former two-time under-23 slalom champion from Buseto Palermo will make his hillclimb debut at Erice. Pierluigi Fullone also competes in the 4th Grouping with his BMW M3 following an extended setup period. In the 3rd Grouping, Ciro Barbaccia will drive a Fiat X1/9 after recovering from an illness sustained during the Coppa Sila event in Calabria, while teammate Alfredo Altopiano switches from his usual Ascona to an Opel Kadett GTE. Beppe D'Anca, a veteran of the discipline, returns after 13 years behind the wheel of an Osella PA20/S BMW in the classic category. In the modern category, Fabrizio La Rocca makes his 2026 debut with a Peugeot 308 GTI entered under Racing Start Plus. The weekend begins with preliminary procedures on Friday 4 September, followed by two reconnaissance runs on Saturday to allow drivers to establish optimal setup and lines. Two official timed runs on Sunday will determine final classifications. Media coverage and live streaming will begin from Saturday's practice sessions.