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Gregori chases podium in Italian hillclimb championship finale
ilT·13 August
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."
ELMS 2026: 47 cars set for Spa's tenth-anniversary four-hour race
ilT·13 August
ELMS 2026: 47 cars set for Spa's tenth-anniversary four-hour race
The European Le Mans Series will mark a decade of racing at Spa-Francorchamps with a strong entry for the four-hour event scheduled 21–23 August 2026. The grid will feature 47 cars, 140 drivers, 30 teams and representatives from 30 nations, making it one of the season's most significant rounds. The Belgian fixture arrives as the fourth championship event, following races at Barcelona, Le Castellet and Imola, and is expected to reshape the title battles across all categories: LMP2, LMP2 Pro/Am, LMP3 and LMGT3. Four Belgian drivers will race on home soil, including Jean Glorieux, a former Michelin Le Mans Cup LMP3 champion now competing in LMP2 Pro/Am with DKR Engineering, and Maxime Martin, winner of the 2020 Le Mans 24 Hours in LMGTE Pro, who will drive the Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 No. 62 for Team Qatar by Iron Lynx. Alessio Picariello, a two-time ELMS LMGTE champion, returns to the grid in a Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3 for Proton Competition. In LMP2, United Autosports leads the championship with Ben Hanley, Grégoire Saucy and Griffin Peebles on 58 points in the Oreca No. 22, ahead of Forestier Racing by Panis on 52 points. The LMP2 Pro/Am class presents a tightly bunched fight, with Algarve Pro Racing and Vector Sport both on 43 points at the top. LMP3 sees Rinaldi Racing's Alvise Rodella, José Fernandes Cautela and Mikkel Gaarde Pedersen leading on 49 points, just eight ahead of Inter Europol Competition. In LMGT3, TF Sport's Corvette No. 33 holds a one-point advantage over Proton Competition's Porsche No. 75, with Kessel Racing's Ferrari No. 57 a further point back. Spa's technical layout—featuring Eau Rouge-Raidillon, Pouhon and Blanchimont—makes it one of Europe's most demanding circuits. The tenth-anniversary race will serve as both a celebration and a potentially decisive championship turning point. The weekend runs Friday to Sunday, with the race on Sunday; tickets start from €8.
European Hillclimb Championship heads to St. Ursanne in 2026
HCF·12 August
European Hillclimb Championship heads to St. Ursanne in 2026
The 81st Côte de St. Ursanne will host a round of the European Hillclimb Championship in 2026, bringing together a competitive international field to one of Europe's fastest hill-climb courses. The 5km-plus high-speed track in the Swiss Jura will challenge drivers across multiple classes, from prototypes to historic vehicles. Spanish driver Joseba Iraola Lanzagorta emerges as a leading contender for overall victory, having claimed multiple podium finishes this season at the wheel of his Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo. He will face stiff competition from young Frenchman Kevin Petit, also piloting a Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo, and German veteran Alexander Hin in his Nova NP 01-2 C Cosworth. Czech driver Petr Trnka (Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo) and Hungarian newcomer Laszlo Szasz (Tatuus F3 T-318 Alpine) will also contest the top positions. Reigning Swiss hillclimb champion Robin Faustini will pilot his Nova NP 01-2 Honda Turbo in pursuit of another season victory. Swiss local Joel Volluz (Norma M20FC Judd Evo C) impressed at the recent Anzère round and will be among the favourites for fastest times. Young Frenchman Maxime Dojat makes his first appearance at St. Ursanne in a Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo, while Belgian Bruno Cazzoli (Nova NP 01-2 Honda Turbo) and Frenchman Samuel Guth (Nova NP 01-2 Mugen) will also contend for top honours. Luxembourgish debutant Dany Demuth will drive a Norma M20FC Judd, while Swiss veteran Fabrice Jolidon returns to competition after several years away, piloting the legendary Osella PA 20/S BMW. Italian hillclimb legend Renzo Maria Napione will also race the Osella PA 20/S BMW, and fellow Italian Alessandro Bertanza makes his debut in the historic class with a Breda Brp5C BMW. In the E2-SS formula class up to 3 litres, young German Benjamin Noll will contest his first St. Ursanne event in an Osella FA30 Zytek LRM. Swiss driver Roland Bossy (Tatuus F3 T-318 Alpine), Frenchmen Nicolas Dumond and Ludovic Cholley (both Tatuus F3 T-318 Alpine) will also compete in this category. Proto Class 2 will feature Italian legend Fausto Bormolini in a Wolf GB08 Mistral Aurobay Turbo as a major favourite, challenged by fellow Italian Antonino Migliuolo (Nova NP 03 Aprilia), Spaniard Jose Antonio Alonso Liste (Tatuus F3 T-318 Alpine), and Czech David Dedek (Nova NP 03 C Ducati). In Proto Class 4, Czech drivers Karel Berger (Osella PA21 JrB Suzuki) and Lukas Studeny (Ligier JS51 Honda) will lead the field, alongside Frenchman Yohan Bardin (Norma M20FC Honda) and Belgian Antonin Saintmard (Tatuus Renault FR 2.0). Swiss driver Victor Darbellay (Nova NP 01-2 Hartley Turbo) will contest the overall standings, while the 2-litre E2-SC sportprototype class will see Michel Zemp (Norma M20FC Honda Turbo), Jean-Jacques Maitre (Nova NP 01-2 C Honda), and Jimmy Froidevaux (Norma M20F Honda) representing Swiss interests. Swiss Antonino Scolaro (Nova NP 03 Kawasaki Turbo) will compete in the 1.6-litre class.
Mourtaji takes divisional podium on Ferrari 296 Challenge debut
ilT·11 August
Mourtaji takes divisional podium on Ferrari 296 Challenge debut
Kadija Mourtaji secured a divisional podium finish and fourth in class at the Svolte di Popoli hillclimb on her debut in the Ferrari 296 Challenge, continuing a rapid progression through the Italian marque's racing lineup. The driver, competing for Scuderia RO Racing, has moved through three different Ferrari models in recent weeks—from the 458 in E2SH specification to the 488 Challenge Evo, and now the latest 296 Challenge. Mourtaji managed third in her division and fourth overall in the GT class at the fast and demanding Popoli event, posting competitive pace across both race runs. Speaking after the weekend, she reflected on the transition to the more powerful machine: "I'm pleased with the podium result. For a debut in such a demanding car, it's a good outcome, though I know I could have shaved another couple of seconds by tightening up a few areas I've already reviewed on video. The approach we've chosen is methodical—no need to overextend unnecessarily." On the 296 Challenge itself, Mourtaji highlighted the step forward in stability and traction compared to the 488. "It's a significant jump in how the car feels through corners and on corner exit," she explained. "The extra security when managing throttle application, combined with improved aerodynamics and overall grip, makes it noticeably faster. I'm learning a lot on these powerful, quick machines and want to continue at the right pace with the enthusiasm I feel." Mourtaji credited coach Giovanni Del Prete for his guidance throughout the transition and thanked sponsors BON BON by Alviero Martini and the Infante group for their support. She is managed on-track by the Catapano team and receives factory support from Sanasi.
Pernot clinches third consecutive French hillclimb title at Mont Dore
HCF·11 August
Pernot clinches third consecutive French hillclimb title at Mont Dore
Marc Pernot has secured his third consecutive French hillclimb championship title after a dominant performance at the 66th Côte de Coeur Mont Dore event. Driving his Nova NP 01-2 C Hartley Turbo over the 5km course, Pernot delivered an impressive display to claim overall victory and mathematically wrap up the season title ahead of schedule. The weekend proved challenging for organisers, with Saturday's opening race cut short due to multiple interruptions and running late into the evening. The first heat for open-class competitors was rescheduled to early Sunday morning, allowing the schedule to be completed by mid-afternoon. A brief rain shower during the touring car battle provided an early decision in that category before conditions dried for the formula car runners. Maxime Dojat finished second overall after recovering from technical issues that forced him to retire from the opening race. The young Frenchman's team resolved the problem on his Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo, enabling him to deliver a strong comeback performance and also secure the E2-SC class win up to 3 litres. Sebastien Jacqmin completed the podium in third place, piloting another Nova NP 01-2 Honda Turbo and posting consistently quick times throughout the weekend. Belgian driver Corentin Starck claimed fourth overall in his Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo, while Frenchman Cedric Lansard rounded out the top five in an Osella PA27 Cosworth. Yves Tholy finished sixth, just 0.04 seconds behind Lansard after two timed runs in his Nova NP 03 Suzuki, and won the E2-SC class up to 1.6 litres. Benoit Bouche took seventh overall and the 3-litre Group DE formula class victory in a Reynard 99L Mugen F3000. The event, held in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, saw mixed fortunes for competitors. Miguel Vidal suffered a broken half-shaft at the start of the first race in his Lola B06/51 Mugen F3000, while Pierre Mayeur retired after the first practice session with engine failure in his Martini MK69 Evo BMW. Sarah Bernard encountered a barrier contact in her Tatuus Formula Master S2000 Honda during the opening race and later faced technical problems that prevented her from starting the third heat.
61st Luigi Fagioli Hillclimb unveils 2026 programme at Gubbio
ilT·11 August
61st Luigi Fagioli Hillclimb unveils 2026 programme at Gubbio
The 61st Trofeo Luigi Fagioli will present its full 2026 schedule and details at a press conference on Thursday 20 August at 11:00 in the Sala Trecentesca of Palazzo Pretorio in Gubbio's Piazza Grande. The event, widely regarded as the "Monte Carlo of hillclimbs" in European road racing circles, will outline its programme, innovations, services and organisational plans for the August 21–23 weekend. The hillclimb will host the opening round of the Italian National Hillclimb Championship (Campionato Italiano Supersalita), alongside the Italian Mountain Speed Championship (CIVM) North and South divisions, the Italian Two-Cylinder Championship, the Assominicar Challenge, and the Gubbio City Cup for historic cars competing in two practice and two race runs. The event will be broadcast live on ACI Sport TV (Sky channel 228 and web). Entry registrations remain open until Monday 17 August at 23:59. Special events begin on Wednesday 12 August at 18:00 with the opening of an exhibition titled "I favolosi sessanta" (The Fabulous Sixty) at the Galleria della Porta on Corso Garibaldi, tracing the hillclimb's history from its origins. The same evening will see the presentation of the second volume of "Di piloti, bolidi e altre storie" (Of Drivers, Bolides and Other Stories), a history of the Gubbio event written and photographed by Tonino Menichetti and discussed with journalist Mario Donnini of Autosprint. The exhibition will run through 23 August and includes a section dedicated to the centenary of the Automobile Club Perugia. The initiatives have been supported by the Perugia Foundation, Rampini Auto and Romeoauto.