Engines, vintage cars and precision trials return to take center stage on the roads of the Republic of San Marino. Scheduled for Saturday, August 29, is the 21st edition of the Giro dei Castelli, the touring rally organized by the Automobile Club San Marino under the patronage of the Secretariats of State for Tourism and Sport.
“Everything is ready for the 21st edition of the Giro dei Castelli, the celebrated touring rally for vintage cars, spiced up with thrilling precision trials,” reads a statement from the Automobile Club San Marino.
The event’s headquarters will be the Atlante Shopping Center, where crews are due to gather at 10:30 am for pre-race checks. The first car will set off at 2:30 pm, kicking off a route that will wind through all nine of San Marino’s castles, with stamped checkpoints along the way to certify each participant’s passage.
The Giro dei Castelli will also count as the sixth stage of the Trofeo della Romagna. Leading the provisional standings will be Sammarinese duo Matteo Neri and Andrea Berardi, the reigning champions. Among their chief rivals are Marche natives Paolo Pieroni and Gian Paolo Paciaroni, while other crews expected to contend for top positions include Brighi-Camporesi and the all-female pairing of Agnoletti-Agostini.
The Automobile Club San Marino will field a strong contingent. “Keep an eye on the ACS crews — besides Neri and Berardi, Tosi and Baldazzi, as well as Gualtieri Gualtieri and Marzi Capicchioni, will all be fighting for top spots,” the organizers noted.
The starting lineup will also feature several familiar names from the racing world. Switzerland’s Micky Martinelli, a former European and Italian rally champion, will make the trip, alongside Umberta Gibellini, a former world rally champion. Also confirmed to take part are Lorenzo Cheli, a young driver competing in the Porsche Cup Italia, Sammarinese rally driver Pino Muccioli, and Livio Ceci, co-driver alongside young Federico Alessandrini.
Among the entrants is also Marco Baldazzi, a past winner of the Trofeo Rally Terra, who will be navigating alongside Massimo Tosi, the event’s coordinator. Crews from Germany and Switzerland are also expected, with organizers hinting at the possibility of further notable entries.
One of the standout features of this year’s 21st edition will be the Road Book, hand-illustrated by Umberta Gibellini. “The champion will sit in the right-hand seat alongside the Vice President of the Automobile Club San Marino, lawyer Lucio Daniele, the main driving force behind the historic passage of the Mille Miglia through San Marino,” the statement adds.
Following the tour and precision trials, the day will wind down around 7:30 pm with a convivial dinner, catered by Sartini Catering, at Podere Lesignano, where the award ceremony will also take place.
The Automobile Club will present awards to all participants, while the Atlante Shopping Center trophies will go to the top finishers in each category. The Porta del Paese Association, meanwhile, will hand out a special recognition to the car deemed most significant of the event.
A special tribute award is also planned in memory of Giorgio Zonzini, a motoring enthusiast and former Trofeo della Romagna winner who passed away prematurely. The recognition will be presented directly by his family.
The entire day will be documented by San Marino Channel, whose cameras will follow the route and capture the event’s key moments. For information and registration, contact the Automobile Club San Marino secretariat at 0549 908860.
