Thursday, September 24, 2026 – Everything is set in Rivignano Teor (Udine province) for the 3rd Baja dello Stella. The event takes place between tomorrow (prologue) and Saturday (four runs over a single selective section) on a hard-packed dirt course in the Bassa Friulana region. The fourth round of the 2026 Italian Cross Country Championship boasts a high-quality field, featuring the season's top contenders and a distinguished international guest: Hungary’s Zoltan Garamvolgyi, driving a Group T4 (enhanced vehicle) Garilla X3 Evo. Although competing outside the championship standings, he is a formidable rival—having won the national race held during the Italian Baja in June—and warrants close attention. Garamvolgyi, through his team Garilla Racing, is also the organizer of the championship's final event: the Raid of Champions in Hungary, scheduled for November 12–14.
Closer to home, the biggest surprise in the 3rd Baja dello Stella entry list is that the top three drivers in the standings—Martin Alejandro Cisella (272 points), Andrea Schiumarini (240), and Alessandro Trivini Bellini (234)—will be competing on equal footing in Can-Am Maverick T4s. Schiumarini has decided to join the fray behind the wheel of a side-by-side vehicle; having previously raced his Century CR6 (T1) at the Artugna Race in March and the Italian Baja in June, and a Mitsubishi L200 (T1) at the Sardinia Rally Raid in May, he recognized the potential of the T4 class and wanted to put it to the test in a competitive environment following a couple of highly significant test sessions. The vehicle being used belongs to Marco Zini, who has been sidelined by health issues following a promising start to the season. A fiercely competitive showdown is expected, with junior driver Kevin Manocchi acting as a wild card; driving his family’s Yamaha YZX 1000R—the same vehicle that won last year when he was just 17—he is brimming with talent but hampered by the performance limitations of an aging machine. Riccardo Benettolo’s Taurus Max is the only T3 (lightweight vehicle) in the running; powerful and reliable, it has the credentials to put the driver from Padua in contention for a top-ten finish. As for classic off-roaders, Alfio Bordonaro leads the pack in his Suzuki Grand Vitara; the driver from Catania currently sits fifth overall and first in the T1 (prototype) class. He no longer faces Schiumarini as a rival, but rather the perennial Lorenzo Codecà (an eleven-time champion) and Stefano Sabellico. This trio of Vitaras will attempt to hold off Fabio Samsa’s ultra-muscular Toyota Hilux T1+. There are also four competitors in the T2 Group (production vehicles)—formerly a Suzuki one-make class—with Gianluca Morra being pursued by Fabio Acajou, Matteo Da Rin Spaletta, and Michele Abeniacar. Meanwhile, seven drivers are competing in the TH class (expired homologation): Alberto Gazzetta sets the pace in a Suzuki New Jimny, chased by a pack of hungry rivals including Stefano Moro (Mitsubishi Pajero), the Traglio father-and-son duo (Maurizio in a Nissan Patrol Y60A and Lorenzo in a Nissan Terrano LR50), Mauro Cantarello (BMW X3), Gianfranco Belletti (Suzuki Grand Vitara), and Paola Tagliabue (Nissan Terrano I). Bringing up the rear—and providing yet another surprise—is reigning champion Emanuele Mengozzi in a Mitsubishi Pajero entered in the Open Cross Country Rally Group. Although the vehicle has expired homologation, the driver from Forlì intends to join the fray for a race of pure fun, as his Toyota Hilux Overdrive is currently undergoing repairs. Speaking of rallies, the Trofeo Italia (modern) and Open Storico cars will compete in their own separate category, starting from Saturday's second selective section. A showdown is expected between the Rally2 entries: Alberto Carniello in an HP Sport Skoda Fabia R5 and Piergiorgio Di Piazza in a Friulmotor Hyundai i20 N—the team led by Claudio De Cecco, which is making its cross-country competition debut.
Tomorrow, Friday, September 25, the schedule includes administrative checks for crews at the Rivignano town hall, scrutineering (technical checks) at Parco Divisione Julia, the shakedown (pre-race test) in the Sella area, and the drivers' briefing in Piazza Tarabane. At 5:00 PM, the prologue starts in Palazzolo dello Stella; all competing crews will take part, and the results will determine the starting order for the following day. At 7:30 PM, the ceremonial start and competitors' parade will take place in Piazza Tarabane. Saturday, September 26, marks the race itself, featuring a selective section to be run four times (with the first competitor starting at 8:10, 10:35, 13:05, and 15:05); the route will only be revealed just before the start via the distribution of the road book. A Media Zone will be located in Flambro di Talmassons, following the first and second selective sections. The finish and prize-giving ceremony will take place from 6:00 PM in Piazza Tarabane.
Italian Baja Press Office
Photo AciSport
