43rd Rally Due Valli: Lancia Ignites Verona with a High-Tension Challenge

• From May 30th to 31st, the fourth round of the Italian Absolute Rally Championship (CIAR SPARCO) will take place, along with the second race valid for the Trofeo Lancia. Taking center stage will be the Ypsilon Rally4 HF, which will face one of the most demanding routes on the national calendar, featuring eight special stages and 105 timed kilometers, culminating in the finish line at Piazza Bra, in the heart of Verona.
• Over 100 crews are expected at the start line, with no fewer than 24 behind the wheel of the Lancia vehicle, including 19 drivers under the age of 35 competing for a spot on the official ERC 2026 team. Lancia’s sporting season continues following its stunning debut at the iconic Targa Florio, where the Ypsilon Rally4 HF claimed the top four positions in the CIAR 2WD category and placed ten cars in the top fourteen.
• The Lancia Corse HF Village, hosted at Veronafiere, will be the beating heart of Lancia passion, featuring a hospitality area, public activities, test drives of the new hybrid* and electric Ypsilon, and an exhibition of the sporty 280-hp Ypsilon HF, along with the legendary Delta and 037 models that dominated the World Rally Championship in the 1980s and ’90s.
   

Following a victorious debut on the roads of Sicily during the Targa Florio Rally, the Trofeo Lancia moves forward in the Sparco Italian Absolute Rally Championship (CIAR) with its second round: the 43rd Rally Due Valli, scheduled for May 30–31 in Verona. Everything is set for two adrenaline-packed days on one of the most demanding courses on the national calendar, once again starring the new Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF, which dominated the season opener. A total of 100 crews are expected at the starting line, with no fewer than 24 behind the wheel of the new Lancia race car — including 19 drivers under 35, all aiming to win the single-make series and secure a spot on the official Lancia team for the 2026 European Rally Championship (ERC), led by Team Director Eugenio Franzetti.

The race will be run entirely on tarmac and includes eight special stages over two days, totaling 105.8 timed kilometers and more than 416 kilometers overall. It all begins on Friday, May 30 with the shakedown in Alcenago (2.33 km), followed by the ceremonial start at Veronafiere and the first two stages, including the return of the historic “Erbezzo” (27.89 km), one of the longest and most challenging in the national scene. On Saturday, May 31, six more stages will be contested, including “San Francesco” (12.16 km) and “Cappella Fasani” (23.3 km), each run twice before the final finish in Piazza Bra, in the heart of Verona.

- Advertisement -

The 43rd Rally Due Valli is the perfect stage to test the dynamic capabilities of the new Ypsilon Rally4 HF, which already impressed at its debut with outstanding balance, precision, and speed. Equipped with a 212-hp turbo engine, a 5-speed SADEV sequential gearbox, and adjustable Ohlins suspension, the new race car has already proven a success with over 90 units sold in just four months, confirming itself as the ideal “training ground” for young drivers aspiring to compete in one of motorsport’s most technical disciplines.

The Rally Due Valli is therefore a key event in the Trofeo Lancia season, not only due to the technical challenge of the race, but also for its strategic importance in the championship standings. In Veneto, Gianandrea Pisani will start as the overall leader, holding a 15.5-point lead over Davide Pesavento and 21.5 over Gabriel Di Pietro, both determined to close the gap in the race for the coveted seat on the official Lancia 2026 team. In the Junior category, the rivalry between Pesavento and Di Pietro resumes, though they’ll also face challenges from Nicolò Ardizzone, unlucky at the Targa Florio, and newcomers Matteo Doretto, Asia Vidori, and Finnish driver Tommi Heino — adding both a feminine and international touch to the series.

The Master category will take center stage with 13 crews registered and Pisani leading the standings by 7.5 points over Giorgio Cogni and 13.5 over Igor Iani. Several contenders are ready to disrupt the plans of the frontrunners: Mazzocchi and Lengauer aim to redeem themselves after mistakes in Sicily, while De Antoni and Rosso are looking to make a strong impression on their debut in Trofeo Lancia. In the Expert class, Denis Vigliaturo, who was very much at ease during the opening round at La Cursa, leads the pack with a 7.5-point advantage over Emanuele Fiore. At least three more drivers are eyeing the fight for the podium: Mauro Porzia, Pierluigi Marino, and Polish driver Dariusz Polonski are all determined to climb the standings.

Beyond championship points, there is a tangible chance to become part of Lancia’s new motorsport legacy, a journey that began with the remarkable success of the Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF at the Targa Florio Rally. There, it dominated the CIAR Sparco 2WD category with an outstanding performance: securing the top four positions and placing 10 cars in the top 14, a result that immediately highlighted the great potential of this new project and kicked off an exciting season for the Trofeo Lancia.

Lastly, fans will be at the heart of the action, thanks to the Lancia Corse HF Village set up at the rally headquarters at Veronafiere. As the true epicenter of Lancia passion, the area will offer numerous activities for enthusiasts, including the opportunity to book thrilling test drives of the new Lancia Ypsilon in both hybrid and electric versions. Visitors will also be able to explore the brand’s rich motorsport heritage through the exhibition of two legendary models — the Lancia Delta and Lancia 037 — which dominated rallying in the 1980s and 1990s.

In addition, the all-new Ypsilon HF will be on display. This high-performance, fully electric road version, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds thanks to its 280 hp and limited-slip differential, will make its press test debut in Balocco at the end of June. Visitors can also meet the drivers in an environment that celebrates not only Lancia’s return to racing but also the authentic passion driving its resurgence.