Avbelj puts on a show at Il Ciocco and impresses on the opening asphalt stages of the CIAR. Araldo secures third place overall at the Monferrini. Kauppinen, Vaher, and Villa play key roles in a weekend with excellent results.
The Italian Rally Championship got off to a positive start for Bostjan Avbelj, Damijan Andrejka, and MS Munaretto. The talented Slovenian driver, tasked with delivering a strong performance after unfortunate previous editions, skilfully balanced caution—securing victory in the Promotion category with a measured approach—and speed, winning two special stages to establish himself as a contender for the overall podium. Driving the MS Munaretto Skoda Fabia RS, Avbelj delivered a spectacular performance despite extreme weather conditions, with torrential rain leading to the cancellation of several timed stages.
A cautious start in the CIAR 2WD for Tuukka Kauppinen. The young Finnish talent, co-driven by Veli-Pekka Karttunen, made his debut on tarmac and in the Peugeot 208 Rally4, which replaced the expected Lancia Ypsilon, not yet delivered by Stellantis. As planned, Kauppinen adopted a measured approach, choosing conservative tyre and setup options rather than pushing to showcase his full potential. This strategic decision was essential to build confidence on asphalt ahead of his Junior European Championship debut in Spain in two weeks. Despite this, the Finnish duo secured a promising seventh-place finish, setting a strong foundation for the season ahead.
The Junior European Championship will also feature young Jaspar Vaher, who competed at Il Ciocco – in the regional event – to gain experience on tarmac. Supported directly by his national federation, the Estonian driver tackled the challenging conditions alongside co-driver Rait Jansen in the MS Munaretto Peugeot 208 Rally4. Vaher’s efforts paid off, securing third place overall, victory in the Rally4 class, and the Under 25 category, despite fierce competition from a strong Rally2 field.
Pierangelo Villa also played a key role in the demanding national edition of Il Ciocco, consistently fighting for a podium finish. The experienced Garfagnana driver, partnered with Andrea Sarti in the MS Munaretto Skoda Fabia EVO Rally2, saw his podium hopes dashed after an off-road excursion, postponing his ambitions to the next round of the season.
From Tuscany to Piedmont, Jacopo Araldo and Lorena Boero delivered a steady performance in the MS Munaretto Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, securing third place overall from the opening special stage and maintaining their position throughout all the 8 scheduled stages. This impressive result marks a strong turnaround for the well-established crew, dispelling the early-season struggles and setting them on course for further success in the upcoming events.
