XXXVIII Rallye Elba Storico–Trofeo Locman Italy: local hero Bettini (Subaru Legacy) leads after the opening leg
25-09-2026 18:00 - Press releases
The Portoferraio driver, making his debut in the Japanese boxer-engined car and teaming up with Alyssa Anziliero for the first time, once again proves his mastery of his home roads.
France’s François Delecour leads the European contest in his Peugeot 306 Maxi.
Capoliveri (Elba Island–Livorno), 25 September 2026 – The XXXVIII Rallye Elba Storico–Trofeo Locman Italy has concluded its opening leg with local driver Francesco Bettini leading the way in a Subaru Legacy RS.
The Portoferraio driver, making his debut in the sizeable boxer-engined Subaru and partnered by Alyssa Anziliero for the first time, took the lead on last night’s opening stage, the traditional Capoliveri prologue. He then remained firmly in control throughout today, setting the fastest time on every stage contested. It was a demanding day, featuring the long “Due Mari” stage of just over 22 kilometres, where Bettini imposed his pace against a field of highly regarded names, demonstrating his ability in front of his home crowd and leaving his rivals with little answer.
Bettini is competing in the Italian championship section of the Elba event, which features separate classifications for the Italian and European Championships. However, his aggregate time makes him the undisputed pace-setter across the event.
The overall European Championship classification is headed by France’s François Delecour. Hugely popular with the spectators, he delivered a commanding performance despite making his first appearance on the island’s special stages, driving a Peugeot 306 Maxi alongside Fabrice Gordon. Like Bettini, Delecour took the lead on the opening stage and immediately pulled clear of his rivals, ending the day comfortably at the top of the European series’ “pre-2000” classification, well ahead of Ireland’s Alan Ring in a Subaru Impreza.
In the “pre-1992” classification, Poland’s Maciej Lubiak leads with Grzegorz Dachowski alongside him in a Porsche 911, holding a comfortable advantage over the rest of the field. Cuneo’s Brazzoli, also in a Porsche, lost time after suffering a puncture on the fifth stage.
In the thrilling and spectacular Italian championship contest, Bettini is setting the pace and also leads Category 4. Second overall is another Subaru Legacy, crewed by Veneto’s Andrea Smiderle and Gianni Marchi, 36.7 seconds behind the leader. Third overall are Rovigo’s Matteo Luise and his partner Melissa Ferro, combining spectacular driving with a strong performance in their BMW M3, exactly 46 seconds off the lead.
Category 1 is led by Giuliano Palmieri and Lucia Zambiasi, 19.2 seconds ahead of their longstanding rivals Parisi and D’Angelo. Both crews are competing in Porsche 911s.
In Category 2, Siena’s Salvini–Tagliaferri lead in their Porsche Carrera RS, with a comfortable 42.7-second advantage over Biella’s Negri–Zegna in a Porsche 911 RS. Category 3 is led by Volpato–Sordelli in their Ford Escort RS 2000, more than a minute ahead of Bianco–Barbiero’s Porsche 911, despite a scare involving a wheel coming off on a road section.
The rally has lost two of its most eagerly anticipated contenders. The highly decorated Renato Travaglia, back in a Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4, stopped on today’s opening stage with a mechanical failure. Salvatore “Toto” Riolo also retired in his Subaru Impreza due to brake problems, an issue that had already cost him considerable time on the opening Capoliveri stage. Siena’s Walter Pierangioli, partnered by Michela Baldini in a Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4, also retired after three stages with a broken driveshaft.
The opening leg of the A112 Abarth Trophy delivered plenty of excitement through the closely fought duel between Fedolfi–Podeschi and Zanelli–Zanni. Their spectacular exchange of stage performances pulled them clear of the rest of the field.
Tomorrow, Saturday 26 September, the rally enters its concluding phase on the roads of eastern Elba, with a regroup in Porto Azzurro before the finish. Five more special stages are scheduled, including another long test, “Volterraio–Cavo”, at just over 26 kilometres. The chequered flag awaits in Capoliveri from 16:30.
Photos: Bettini and Delecour in action (AmicoRally)
www.rallyelbastorico.net
PRESS OFFICE
c/o Alessandro Bugelli – journalist (ODG 110772 – USSI 3886 – AIPS 9541)
a.bugelli@gmail.com
Source: Press Office
France’s François Delecour leads the European contest in his Peugeot 306 Maxi.
Capoliveri (Elba Island–Livorno), 25 September 2026 – The XXXVIII Rallye Elba Storico–Trofeo Locman Italy has concluded its opening leg with local driver Francesco Bettini leading the way in a Subaru Legacy RS.
The Portoferraio driver, making his debut in the sizeable boxer-engined Subaru and partnered by Alyssa Anziliero for the first time, took the lead on last night’s opening stage, the traditional Capoliveri prologue. He then remained firmly in control throughout today, setting the fastest time on every stage contested. It was a demanding day, featuring the long “Due Mari” stage of just over 22 kilometres, where Bettini imposed his pace against a field of highly regarded names, demonstrating his ability in front of his home crowd and leaving his rivals with little answer.
Bettini is competing in the Italian championship section of the Elba event, which features separate classifications for the Italian and European Championships. However, his aggregate time makes him the undisputed pace-setter across the event.
The overall European Championship classification is headed by France’s François Delecour. Hugely popular with the spectators, he delivered a commanding performance despite making his first appearance on the island’s special stages, driving a Peugeot 306 Maxi alongside Fabrice Gordon. Like Bettini, Delecour took the lead on the opening stage and immediately pulled clear of his rivals, ending the day comfortably at the top of the European series’ “pre-2000” classification, well ahead of Ireland’s Alan Ring in a Subaru Impreza.
In the “pre-1992” classification, Poland’s Maciej Lubiak leads with Grzegorz Dachowski alongside him in a Porsche 911, holding a comfortable advantage over the rest of the field. Cuneo’s Brazzoli, also in a Porsche, lost time after suffering a puncture on the fifth stage.
In the thrilling and spectacular Italian championship contest, Bettini is setting the pace and also leads Category 4. Second overall is another Subaru Legacy, crewed by Veneto’s Andrea Smiderle and Gianni Marchi, 36.7 seconds behind the leader. Third overall are Rovigo’s Matteo Luise and his partner Melissa Ferro, combining spectacular driving with a strong performance in their BMW M3, exactly 46 seconds off the lead.
Category 1 is led by Giuliano Palmieri and Lucia Zambiasi, 19.2 seconds ahead of their longstanding rivals Parisi and D’Angelo. Both crews are competing in Porsche 911s.
In Category 2, Siena’s Salvini–Tagliaferri lead in their Porsche Carrera RS, with a comfortable 42.7-second advantage over Biella’s Negri–Zegna in a Porsche 911 RS. Category 3 is led by Volpato–Sordelli in their Ford Escort RS 2000, more than a minute ahead of Bianco–Barbiero’s Porsche 911, despite a scare involving a wheel coming off on a road section.
The rally has lost two of its most eagerly anticipated contenders. The highly decorated Renato Travaglia, back in a Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4, stopped on today’s opening stage with a mechanical failure. Salvatore “Toto” Riolo also retired in his Subaru Impreza due to brake problems, an issue that had already cost him considerable time on the opening Capoliveri stage. Siena’s Walter Pierangioli, partnered by Michela Baldini in a Ford Sierra Cosworth 4x4, also retired after three stages with a broken driveshaft.
The opening leg of the A112 Abarth Trophy delivered plenty of excitement through the closely fought duel between Fedolfi–Podeschi and Zanelli–Zanni. Their spectacular exchange of stage performances pulled them clear of the rest of the field.
Tomorrow, Saturday 26 September, the rally enters its concluding phase on the roads of eastern Elba, with a regroup in Porto Azzurro before the finish. Five more special stages are scheduled, including another long test, “Volterraio–Cavo”, at just over 26 kilometres. The chequered flag awaits in Capoliveri from 16:30.
Photos: Bettini and Delecour in action (AmicoRally)
www.rallyelbastorico.net
PRESS OFFICE
c/o Alessandro Bugelli – journalist (ODG 110772 – USSI 3886 – AIPS 9541)
a.bugelli@gmail.com
Source: Press Office
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