Trofeo Lancia: First points for Island Motorsport

At the end of the double seasonal round of the one-make series, held within the XIV Rally di Roma Capitale, valid for the FIA European Rally Championship and the Campionato Italiano Assoluto Rally Sparco, the young Sicilian crew Rappa-Interdonato, competing in the Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally6, claimed two valuable second-place finishes.

Rome, July 6, 2026 — Returning from an exceptional sporting setting such as the XIV Rally di Roma Capitale, Island Motorsport, once again in partnership with Tempo srl, was able to take away a more than positive result.

After the event, which counted for both the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) and the Campionato Italiano Assoluto Rally Sparco (CIAR), held last weekend, young standard-bearer Simone Rappa secured two runner-up finishes across the second and third rounds of the prestigious Lancia Trophy, reserved for Rally6 cars.

Making his debut on the challenging asphalt roads around Rome, the 19-year-old second-generation driver, at the wheel of the Sportec-prepared Ypsilon HF shared with fellow Sicilian Roberto Interdonato, focused on limiting risks and delivered two tactically solid and intelligent performances aimed at reaching the finish, following the bitter outcome experienced at the Rally Due Valli in early June.

It was a long, exhausting competition, and above all a very hot one, literally. But we learned a lot, as expected on roads that from 2027 will host a round of the World Rally Championship.

Said a satisfied Rappa at the finish.

Unfortunately, both on Saturday’s leg and on Sunday’s leg, which were effectively two separate rounds of the one-make series, we bent a wheel rim: first on the front-right tyre and then on the front-left. In both cases, most likely, it happened after hitting stones. The road surface was very dirty, it has to be said. These incidents inevitably affected the whole weekend, compromising both grip and performance.

In the end, however, what mattered was completing the double commitment and, above all, scoring our first points of the season. Despite the difficulties, we achieved the goal we had set ourselves before the rally. That effort was then more than rewarded by the prize-giving ceremony, held in grand style with St. Peter’s Basilica in the background. It was an indescribable emotion.

With the trip to Lazio now behind him, attention and motivation turn to the next step: the 20th Rally Regione Piemonte, scheduled in the Cuneo area from July 31 to August 2.

Article by Daniele Fulco