Five consecutive editions won. A level of dominance that now feels almost routine. At the 12th Coppa Attilio Bettega, Gabriele Seno confirmed his outstanding form by securing yet another overall victory.
This time, Cristina Biagi joined him in place of regular co-driver Francesco Gianmarino. The navigator changed, the result did not. The yellow-and-green Opel Kadett GTE once again proved to be the perfect weapon in the hands of the Milanese driver.
The route, inspired by the 1973 edition of the San Martino di Castrozza Rally, offered no room for improvisation. Seno set the pace from the opening tests, maintaining a flawless average and managing the nine scheduled stages with precision. The event was monitored via GPS, with numerous surprise checks along the course.
The imposed average speed of 50 km/h, verified through 12 to 18 hidden controls, represented a demanding challenge for all competitors. Seno, however, consistently stayed within the required limits, demonstrating composure and sharp route awareness.
A tense moment occurred on the Forcella Lagazzon section, where a close encounter with an oncoming car nearly compromised his race. On a snow-slicked road surface, Seno kept control, limiting the damage to a slight contact with the rear wheel arch.
Snow played a starring role throughout the event, organized by Rally Club 70 of Romano d’Ezzelino. The winter landscape provided a spectacular backdrop as nearly sixty crews tackled approximately 400 kilometers of competition. Studded tires and mandatory snow chains ensured safety, and aside from a few spectacular slides, the event ran smoothly.
Behind the winner, 322 penalty points adrift, finished Riccardo Leva, navigated by Niccolò Pacchiarotti. The young Milanese driver impressed in his Autobianchi A112 Abarth, even finishing ahead of both his parents: Alexia, seventh overall in a Porsche 356 Coupé, and Marco, twelfth in a Lancia Fulvia HF.
Third place went to Salvatore Carbone and Massimo Martini in an Alfetta GTV 2.5, a further 52 penalty points behind Leva.
Fourth overall were Cavagna and Seneci in a Renault R5 Alpine, successfully defending a 19-point margin over Vellano and Molina, fifth in an Audi 80 Quattro. Sixth place went to Bergamaschi and Soffritti in a BMW 2002 Ti.
Swiss driver Claudio Enz, partnered by Cristina Seeberger in a Fulvia HF, finished eighth at the Pedavena (Feltre) finish line, ahead of Perletti-Colpani’s Porsche 911 and the A112 E of Paolo and Federico Cattaneo.
Twenty-first overall and second in class were Greek competitors Polykarpos Notaras and Petros Christopoulos in a Porsche 924 Turbo.
Pure spectacle was delivered outside the regularity focus by Tonino Tognana, 1982 Italian Rally Champion, who thrilled spectators on the snow in his Alpine Renault A110 alongside Domenico Morassutti, prioritizing driving enjoyment over strict average precision.
In the women’s classification, victory went to Alexia Giugni and Ornella Pietropaolo, ahead of Silvia Lazzaretto and Roberta Varotto.
Milano Autostoriche topped the Team standings, followed by Scuderia del Grifone, Club 91 Squadra Corse and Team Bassano.
Special recognition was given to Gioacchino Piazza, Vice President of ACI Trapani, who together with Giuliano De Maio undertook a long journey to compete in a Fiat 124 Spider, finishing 22nd overall.
