XXXVIII Rallye Elba Storico – Trofeo Locman Italy: a new and exciting “historic” challenge, on both the European and Italian stage
22-09-2026 08:00 -
Ready to fire up the engines, with no fewer than 149 entries, for a new and thrilling edition of the island rally, once again valid for the European and Italian Historic Rally Championships, while the “Graffiti” will count towards the Italian Historic Regularity Rally Championship.
The “elite” of European and Italian historic rallying will be at the start, promising three days of unique excitement.
The Fiat 131 Abarth will be celebrated 50 years after its rally debut, which took place right here on Elba.
Livorno, 22 September 2026 – The XXXVIII Rallye Elba Storico – Trofeo Locman Italy, scheduled for this weekend (24–26 September), once again confirms what its history has long shown.
Building on that history comes further proof of the reputation that the name “Rallye Elba” continues to enjoy among competitors, professionals and enthusiasts alike. The competitors themselves have delivered the confirmation that ACI Livorno Sport had hoped for: a strong entry list packed with well-known drivers and cars, for a total of 149 entries, a sign of renewed and great affection for an event that has made history in road motorsport around the world.
Once again, we are faced with the familiar sight of a large entry for a classic event that remains as relevant as ever. An unmissable appointment, ready to return to the Italian and international stage with a partly revised format, naturally inspired by the tradition of an event that produces a unique edition every year.
A renewed look also comes from the revamped European Championship scene, with the Elba rally valid for both series of the new European Championship format and as the seventh and penultimate round of the Italian Historic Rally Championship. In addition, the event will retain its status as the penultimate round of the Italian Historic Regularity Rally Championship, as well as counting for the Trofeo Rally Toscano, Trofeo A112 Abarth, Trofeo Michelin Storico, Memory Fornaca and the ACI Livorno Club Championship.
THE NEW EUROPEAN FORMAT
As regards asphalt rallies, the regulations provide for two separate categories according to the era in which the cars were built: on one side, cars produced between 1993 and 2000, entered in a dedicated series; on the other, cars built before 1992, competing in a technical context more consistent with their sporting history. Within this new framework, Rallye Elba Storico has been included in both European series, further recognition of the prestige and international importance acquired by the event through years of passionate work by ACI Livorno Sport together with the entire island.
INCREASED COMPETITIVE MILEAGE AND TWO SERVICE PARKS
The main new feature will be the increase in competitive mileage, which will reach 140.080 kilometres over 10 special stages. Another important choice is the use of two separate service parks, a solution introduced in view of the new FIA format. The area dedicated to European Championship competitors will be set up in Porto Azzurro, while the one reserved for Italian Championship competitors will be located in Capoliveri.
This choice was designed to ensure the best possible operational functionality for the teams and more effective event logistics. The rally headquarters will once again be based at Hotel Airone in Portoferraio, where administrative checks will take place, while scrutineering will be held on the seafront area in Porto Azzurro.
THE SPORTING STORYLINES
From a sporting point of view, Rallye Elba Storico is a major fixture in the European contest, with several leading crews set to fight for valuable points in the decisive phase of the season. Adding further prestige to the rally is the presence of crews from Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands and San Marino. Ten different nationalities, confirming once again the international importance of the Elba event.
In Pre-1992, attention will focus above all on Maciej Lubiak, second in the overall standings with 127 points and entered in a Porsche 911, while championship leader Seb Perez, on 149 points, does not appear on the entry list: a situation that opens up interesting prospects for the Polish driver.
The spotlight will also be on Enrico Brazzoli from Cuneo, one of the leading figures of the season. The Piedmont driver arrives on Elba third overall in the category with 101 points, but above all as leader of Category 4 with 157 points and Class J1C with 188, at the wheel of the Porsche 911, this time shared with Maurizio Barone. His leading position makes his Elba rally particularly important in European Championship terms.
Great attention will also be paid to Renato Travaglia, who returns to the Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4. The highly decorated driver from Trentino, multiple Italian champion and twice European champion, is also a four-time winner of the “modern” rally, from 1997 through 2000, all with the Peugeot 306. In the championship, the driver from Cavedine is fourth overall with 90 points and second in Category 4 with 112. In the same category, other drivers to watch include Hervé Guignard in the Renault 5 Turbo, Laszlo Mekler in the spectacular Lancia 037 Rallye and Siena’s Valter Pierangioli, always highly motivated on Elba, entered in a Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4. Among the class battles, the FIA 1600 Trophy duel is particularly interesting, with leader Bruno Perrone on 98 points facing Alessandro Bottazzi, second on 76 and also entered on Elba. Also certainly worth watching will be Frenchman Richard Genesca in the Toyota Corolla WRC, ready to put on a show on the Elba stages and shake up the fight at the top.
In Pre-2000, meanwhile, the big name is François Delecour, highly appreciated by Italian fans. The Frenchman leads both the Category 6 standings with 112 points and the overall classification, and will start in a Peugeot 306 Maxi, while Alan Ring, leader of class A8A with 76 points, will tackle the Elba roads in a Subaru Impreza.
The XXXVIII Rallye Elba Storico – Trofeo Locman Italy is also shaping up as one of the decisive rounds of the Italian Historic Rally Championship (CIRAS). The Elba event, the seventh and penultimate round of the season, comes with the title battles still open and several direct confrontations set to light up the island’s ten special stages.
In the 1st Group, Giuliano Palmieri, driving the Porsche 911 S shared with Lucia Zambiasi, arrives as leader and with a real chance of sealing the title, but he will face a particularly strong group of Porsche crews, including Antonio Parisi, a long-standing protagonist of the Elba rally, Letterio Oliva and Carlo Fiorito. In the 2nd Group, the challenge features Giosuè Rizzuto against Siena’s Alberto Salvini, always seen in excellent form on the island, both driving Porsche Carrera RS cars. The 3rd Group remains wide open, with Enrico Volpato ahead of Giovanni Modica and the other category contenders. In the 4th Group, the battle between Matteo Luise and Andrea Smiderle is particularly anticipated, with only ten points separating them in the provisional standings, while Valter Pierangioli, Tommaso Fantei and a very strong field of BMW M3s, Subaru Legacys, Ford Sierra Cosworths and Lancia Deltas are ready to join the fight. Completing a top-quality Italian field is the presence of names such as Salvatore Riolo, a leading contender among the classic cars, as Elba prepares to host a rally in which every special stage could have a major impact on the championship standings.
There are also other well-known names aiming high, from the ever-effective local driver Francesco Bettini in a Subaru Legacy, to the evergreen Livorno driver Giovanni Galleni in the Opel Ascona 400, and Riccardo Mariotti in the Ford Escort Cosworth.
Adding even more excitement are the protagonists of the Trofeo A112 Abarth, with no fewer than 17 entries, setting the scene for a sparkling contest. After the Rally Campagnolo, Marcello Morino and Massimo Barrera arrive on Elba leading the standings, but with just one point over reigning champions Fabrizio Zanelli and Claudio Zanni. The duel between the two A112 Abarths therefore promises to be particularly close, especially considering the double points awarded by the Elba round. Behind them, Lorenzo Bergamaschi remains fully in contention for the leading positions, currently third overall and leader of the Under 28 standings, together with Ivo Droandi, winner of the season-opening Vallate Aretine, and Francesco Mearini, fifth overall and leader of both the Over 60 classification and the category reserved for cars with four-speed gearboxes.
The entry list also confirms the quality and depth of the challenge, with the A112 Abarths ready to compete on the Elba stages, including those of leading names such as Paolo Imperato, Giacomo Domenighini, Luigi Nocentini, Andrea Pasqualotto, Maurizio Ribaldone and Hungary’s Ivan Hamor, confirming the international following achieved by the series.
Also not to be forgotten is the strong presence of Elba crews, for whom the rally is a true passion: twenty crews will be at the start, with all the familiar names included and the novelty of Andrea Volpi returning to two-wheel drive, this time in an Opel Astra.
THE “GRAFFITI” SET TO SHAKE UP THE ITALIAN REGULARITY CHAMPIONSHIP
Elba Graffiti is shaping up as a key round of the CIRAR, where the absence of Catanzaro and Garghetti in Media 50 leaves room for the chasing crews and makes every result particularly important. The situation is therefore especially interesting: Catanzaro is the leader of “Media 50”, but his absence opens up the battle for the points available on the event.
At the previous round, “La Grande Corsa”, Catanzaro finished second behind Garghetti, retaining the Italian Championship lead, while Previti-De Pasquale were third. On Elba, therefore, Marco Pozzo and Claudio Ganora, second in the championship after the Due Valli, start as one of the most eagerly awaited crews, while Francesco Previti and Giovanni Veneziano, in the Lancia Fulvia Montecarlo, can take advantage of the absence of the two main championship leaders to make up ground.
Also worth watching are the Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD of Pozzo-Ganora and the cars of Fiorese, Marchina and Tosca, in a rally carrying a coefficient of 1.5 and therefore capable of significantly changing the Italian Championship balance.
THREE DAYS OF RALLYING, STARTING WITH THE NIGHT STAGE IN CAPOLIVERI
The range of championship titles attached to the Elba event has required particular work this year, with a focus on the many logistical and operational aspects imposed by the new European format. Several important changes have therefore been introduced to meet the requirements of the new international format.
The competition will be held over three days. The start will take place in Porto Azzurro, in the harbour area, while the final finish will be set in the picturesque historic centre of Capoliveri.
On Thursday 24 September, the programme will begin with the spectacular town special stage in Capoliveri, a unique event of its kind that will officially open the first leg. On Friday 25 September, the rally will move to the western part of the island, with a regroup planned in Marciana Marina, while the overnight regroup will be held in Capoliveri.
On Saturday 26 September, the rally will enter its final phase on the roads of eastern Elba, with a regroup in Porto Azzurro before the final finish. The route will follow the tradition that has made Rallye Elba Storico famous, featuring ten special stages among the most popular and selective in the Italian rally scene.
A TRIBUTE TO THE 131 ABARTH
In 1976, the Fiat 131 Abarth Group 4 made its debut right here on Elba, at the Rally dell’Isola d’Elba, with Maurizio Verini and Markku Alén. That debut marked the beginning of an extraordinary sporting era, culminating in three World Manufacturers’ Championship titles. Fifty years later, the 2026 Rallye Elba Storico will celebrate that car in the very place where its legend was born.
A tribute to the 131 Abarth and to the protagonists who wrote its history on international rally stages.
Up to 30 cars will be admitted, including Group 4 examples and road-going versions.
On Thursday 24 September, the entered cars will be displayed in the centre of Capoliveri, before a meeting at 16:30 with protagonists from that era, among whom the name of Michèle Mouton stands out, the first woman to challenge her male rivals so strongly in the World Rally Championship during the 1980s.
The evening will continue with historic film footage and the cars starting behind Rallye Elba Storico competitors on the Capoliveri stage.
On Friday 25 September, the 131 Abarths will run behind the rally field on the Due Colli and Monte Perone stages.
The day will end in Poggio with an aperitif dinner, followed by the finish and prize-giving in Capoliveri.
A route of 98.630 kilometres, 35.310 of them on rally roads, to celebrate not just a car, but a true legend.
Photo: Frenchman Delecour, expected to take on the Elba challenge for the first time (photo supplied by Delecour press office)
