Friday, September 25, 2026 – The goal was to warm up and determine the starting order, not to set the overall standings. This afternoon, the prologue of the 3rd Baja dello Stella—covering 6.52 kilometers—served to test the vehicles, regain confidence after a three-month break, and strengthen the rapport between driver and co-driver inside the cockpit. Rally cars were the first on track; the Skoda Fabia R5 driven by Alberto Carniello and Andrea Budoia was the fastest (4:52.7), ahead of the Hyundai i20 driven by Piergiorgio Di Piazza and Alessandro Martinis (5:00.1), with the Ford Fiesta of Roberto Camporese and Francesco Maggiolino in third (5:06.8). The Ford Escort RS driven by Alessandro Prosdocimo and Marta Zanet encountered issues at the back of the pack, but if the car can be repaired, they will be able to start as scheduled tomorrow morning.
Note: the rally cars will start ahead of the field tomorrow and will only run the first leg of the off-road timed sector (28.69 km total)—corresponding to a 17.64 km special stage. The first pass (starting at 9:00 AM) will be a reconnaissance run with a 70 km/h speed limit, allowing crews to take pace notes before racing in earnest over the remaining three passes (starting at 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM). There was a surprise in the cross-country category, however, as the Can-Am Maverick driven by Andrea Schiumarini—with Daniele Fontana Sacchetti calling the notes—clocked the fastest time: 4:54.9, making them the only crew to dip below the five-minute mark. "I didn't expect it; I'm happy, but I'm keeping my feet on the ground," said the driver from Bologna, making his official debut in side-by-side vehicles. For what it’s worth—which is nothing in terms of the standings—the second-fastest time went to the Garilla X3 Evo of Zoltan Garamvolgyi and Dori Kollar (5:03.9), Hungarian guests not competing for the Italian championship. Next came the Taurus T3 Max driven by Riccardo Benettolo and Martina Musiari (5:04.5). So, "Schiuma" takes the top honors today; all in all, the focus was mainly on having fun, even though the run determined the starting order. Tomorrow, however, things get serious: the 28.69 km selective section—interrupted by a controlled-speed neutralization zone (starting where the rally car stage ends)—must be completed four times.
It promises to be a spectacular and decisive event, featuring a dirt-track loop that winds through the municipalities of Rivignano Teor, Varmo, Talmassons, and Palazzolo dello Stella. The Bassa Friulana region is proving to be incredibly hospitable and rich in authentic flavors.
Italian Baja Press Office
Mike's Photo
