ISLAND MOTORSPORT HEADS TO THE LANGHE

Against the backdrop of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, the 20th Rally Regione Piemonte will host the fifth round of the CIAR Sparco. Young gun Simone Rappa is set for yet another new challenge this season at the wheel of the Ypsilon HF Rally6, alongside fellow Sicilian Roberto Interdonato, as the crew continues its campaign in the prestigious Lancia Trophy.

A dream come true. From spectator to competitor. Nineteen-year-old Simone Rappa is preparing to take the start of the 20th Rally Regione Piemonte, the fifth round of the Campionato Italiano Assoluto Rally Sparco (CIAR), scheduled to take place next weekend in the province of Cuneo.

Competing in the prestigious Lancia Trophy for the Rally6 category – with the Piedmont event serving as the fourth and penultimate round of the series – the young driver representing Island Motorsport, once again in partnership with Tempo Srl, will continue his development alongside fellow young Sicilian Roberto Interdonato, who will call the pacenotes from the co-driver’s seat of the Ypsilon HF, prepared and run by Sportec.

After scoring his first points in the one-make series during the double-header at the Rally di Roma Capitale, Rappa will be looking to build on that performance on the unfamiliar yet spectacular roads of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, all of which are part of UNESCO World Heritage territory.

It’s a rally I’ve always admired. I’ve attended several editions as a spectator together with my father, but this year I’ll finally experience it from inside the cockpit.

an enthusiastic Rappa said ahead of the event.

It's outstanding organisation and the route, set against such a unique landscape, make it one of the most eagerly awaited sporting events of the year – without taking anything away from the others, of course. So, here we go again. I’m more ready than ever.”

Anticipation is therefore building for the Alba-based event, which will officially get underway on Friday, 31 July with the shakedown, held near the medieval village of Neive, followed in the late afternoon by the ceremonial start in Cherasco. The real competition will then begin on Saturday and Sunday, with a total of 11 special stages covering 143 kilometres of timed competition, excluding road sections. The rally will reach its grand finale in Alba, where the finish ceremony will take place.