All together passionately. The championship will truly have absolute value because it will reward the first place finisher in the all-out challenge between prototypes, production-derived vehicles, lightweight tubulars, and expired homologations. The Artugna Race will be the first test.
Pordenone, March 7, 2026. It's fair to say that many riders are in favor, some express doubts, others remain silent, and some even offer a hint of criticism. But in any case, they are ready to line up at the start and test the significance of the most significant innovation of the 2026 season, which is about to begin: the Italian Cross Country Championship will award a single championship to drivers and co-drivers, placing the results obtained in a single overall ranking with vehicles T1 / T1 Plus (prototypes), T2 (production-derived vehicles), T3 / T4 (lightweight tubulars), and TH (expired homologations). To earn points, registration is mandatory, otherwise the results will be "transparent" for the championship standings. Drivers and navigators are warming up, teams and mechanics are fine-tuning their vehicles, registration closes on Monday at 6 pm, and the Italian Baja di Primavera – Artugna Race in exactly one week will be the first test of the CI2C 2026. The cross-country regulations approved by the Federation also include an ACI Sport National Trophy reserved for teams and legal entity competitors, one for Group winners (T1, T2, T3, T4, TH), and one entitled Open CCR and reserved for rally car drivers.
Five races are scheduled: 16th Italian Spring Baja – Artugna Race (March 13/14, coefficient 1, organizer Asd Fuoristrada Club 4x4 Pordenone); Sardinia Rally Raid 2026 (May 14/17, coefficient 2, organizer Automobile Club Sassari); Italian Baja 2026 (June 25/28, coefficient 3, organizer Asd Fuoristrada Club 4x4 Pordenone); 3rd Baja dello Stella (September 25/26, coefficient 1, organizer Asd Motori dello Stella); Raid of The Champions (November 13/14, coefficient 2, organizer Garilla Racing kft) in Hungary.
Here are some scattered and completely free rumors from aspiring protagonists of the new season.
Riccardo Benettolo, Taurus T3 Max (T3): “The new championship format certainly needs to be understood and appreciated. In my opinion, having competed so far with both a T1 and a T3, I must say that they are very different, but the various stages of the championship will overall provide the opportunity to compete on equal terms.”
Maurizio Traglio, Patrol GR Y60 (TH): “The TH and ex-THS vehicles must compete in a single category to form a consistent number of competitors with the commitment of the teams and organizers. All competitors will then be included in a single overall ranking in the Italian championship.”
Simone Grossi, Land Rover Defender (TH): “I like this change because it gives us incentives to compete with more historic and less performing cars, focusing on driving against more modern cars.”
Martin Alejandro Cisella, Can Am Maverick X3 (T4): “I can't say anything for now, it's all new to me.”
Fabio Samsa, Toyota Hilux Overdrive (T1+): “I liked the variety of test types in the Italian championship, but being a beginner, I don't have much experience in this regard.”
Kevin Manocchi, Yamaha YXZ 1000r (T4): “Cars and SSVs, on certain types of terrain some are at a disadvantage and others are at an advantage, in other conditions the cards are mixed up, so the competition and the championship become tougher.”
Michele Manocchi, Yamaha YXZ 1000r (T4): “Since there are few of us, it's right to form a group and stay together.”
Andrea Schiumarini, Century CR6 (T1): “It's perfect. The road is the same for everyone. It's right to be in the same classification. There will be areas that favor cars and areas that favor SSVs. It's the foot that counts.”
Mauro Cantarello, BMW X3 (TH): “I'm happy that the championship brings everyone together and this year we're definitely aiming for victory in the TH.”
Gianluca Morra, Suzuki Grand Vitara 19TD (T2): “Honestly, it doesn't drive me crazy. I think that those of us in the T2 group and the competitors in the TH group don't have the same chances of aiming for the top spots in the overall classification against the faster T1 and SSV drivers. I would have found it more logical to have dedicated classifications for T1/SSV and T2/TH, or increased points for the two disadvantaged groups.”
Cristian D’Agnolo Yamaha Xyz 1000R (T4): “In my opinion, and as I already expressed last year, I don't think it's right for SSVs to be a single class because it's like saying Formula 1 and GP2 should race together. I say this for the simple fact that even here there are huge differences in the vehicles, primarily between turbos and naturally aspirated ones. There's a difference of about 130 hp. However, I really appreciate the effort being made to relaunch the specialty. I think we should all be happy about it and help bring cross-country racing back to its peak.”
Italian Baja press office
