Simone Rappa Debuts in the Trofeo Lancia at Rally Due Valli: A New Challenge Begins in the 2026 Italian Rally Championship

The young Sicilian talent from Island Motorsport will take on the prestigious one-make series with the new Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally6, alongside co-driver Roberto Interdonato.

Preparations are in full swing at Island Motorsport, once again in partnership with Tempo Srl, ahead of the 44th Rally Due Valli, the third round of the Campionato Italiano Assoluto Rally Sparco (CIAR), scheduled for next weekend on the roads of the province of Verona. The event will also host the Trofeo Lancia, the series in which young Sicilian driver Simone Rappa will make his debut.

The Palermo-born driver, just 19 years old, will embark on this new sporting challenge at the wheel of the Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally6 prepared by Team Sportec. Alongside him will be fellow Sicilian Roberto Interdonato, with whom he already shared the cockpit at last December’s Rally Conca d’Oro.

The son of a motorsport family — his father Gianfranco boasts extensive experience as a co-driver — Rappa is preparing to make his first appearance on the national rallying stage at a high level.

After careful consideration and a long discussion with my father, we firmly decided to take on the Trofeo Lancia.

Simone Rappa explained on the eve of the rally.

The series takes place within the CIAR, an important showcase that guarantees great visibility and significant media exposure, as well as a particularly interesting prize fund. I will also have the opportunity to drive a Rally6 car, a new addition for the 2026 season: a competitive car, yet at the same time ideal for someone like me who is taking his first steps in high-level motorsport.

The young driver approaches the season with realism and determination:

The main goal is to gain experience, complete as many kilometres as possible and build confidence in events that are completely new to me. It will be a year of growth and learning; at the end of the season we will take stock and plan the future.”

For Rappa, Rally Due Valli will mark the first event of his career beyond Sicily. The competition programme will begin on Friday, 5 June, with the shakedown and the opening five special stages. On Saturday, the remaining eight timed stages will take place, completing the two-day event, with the final finish set in the stunning setting of Piazza Bra, in the heart of Verona.

Article written by Daniele Fulco