«  F1 Clienti – Wehrlein and... <- Back to: Races & Rallyes Wilson/Pittard win Spa 3 Hours in...  »

Alberto Aliverti & Stefano Cadei Take Podium at Stella Alpina


 

What a magnificent success for the 34th Stella Alpina, the only Italian event on the shortlist of the Historic Motoring Awards in last year’s “Rally of the Year” section. 68 crews lined up at the starting line, eager to take part in the race or follow on in the tourism category, including 19 from abroad (an increase over last year), representing 8 countries, 16 car manufacturers and 31 teams. It was a challenge made even more special and memorable by the sportsmanship, the smiling faces and the enthusiasm of all those taking part.

The regularity rally organised by Scuderia Trentina in partnership with Canossa Events ran from June 28th to 30th 2019: three exciting days of driving on the most scenic routes through the Dolomites and across the most exhilarating passes in the Italian Alps, with the crews lining up at the start in a friendly yet competitive atmosphere.

Marvellous views, fabulous roads presenting some tricky climbs and hairpin bends, 99 challenging timed trials and 6 average speed trials, hospitality at Moena, lunch and dinner in the Italian Alps… The organisers wanted to create a really special event for 2019, taking the crews up to the mountain tops on the most spectacular and challenging roads in the Dolomites. The winning combination of sport, passion, spectacular panoramas, hairpin bends, superb hospitality and breathtaking scenery in the marvellous Dolomites delighted all those taking part: people who love competing with their cars but appreciate the opportunity to see new places and sample some special food and wine at the same time. As usual, the event was divided into two sections: one reserved for classic cars and the other for modern Ferraris, paying Tribute to the Prancing Horse.

The Challenge and the Podium

There were 99 challenging timed trials and 6 average speed trials, putting the crews to the test and getting everyone’s pulses racing. They were all tough trials but set in stunningly attractive scenery along a 475km long route taking the crews across the most beautiful passes in the Dolomites.

The battle to win the rally continued until the last leg was over, in fact the ranking for first and second place changed several times until the very last day when the winners of the 34th edition were announced during the Awards Ceremony held at Cantine Ferrari. Crews 1 and 2 battled it out head-to-head from start to finish, but Alberto Aliverti and Stefano Cadei finally won the top step of the podium of the classic cars with their 1937 Fiat 508C, also taking the Trofeo Azimut-Stella Alpina reserved for pre-1957 cars. Moceri-Dicembre took second place in their 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider Veloce, and third place went to Aghem-Conti in their 1938 Bmw 328 roadster.

The ranking of the Modern Ferraris was also fiercely disputed with crews 63, 64 and 68 in a fierce contest for first place until the very last minute. At the end of day three, it was Luigi Frascino and Luca Olivieri in a Ferrari 812 Superfast who got to stand on the top step of the podium of modern Ferraris, followed by Carretti-Furlan in a Ferrari 488 Spider and Pizzuto-Serri in a Ferrari 360 Modena.

Team Galileo won the Trofeo Banca Galileo reserved for the first ranking team.
The Coppa delle Dame (Ladies Cup) went to crew Lucilla Sartori and Monica Bocchese in a Ferrari GTC4 Lusso.
The Trofeo Lavor for the Average Speed Trials went to Alberto Sacco and Dario Bonanno in their 1953 Fiat 1100/103 for classic cars, and to Enrico Zobele and Ivana Trentinaglia in a Ferrari 488 Pista for modern cars.
Lastly, the gorgeous 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso driven by the American crew David and Lisa Atcherley won the Classic Car Prize awarded to the most elegant car.

The Stella Alpina 2019 in Numbers

  • 68 crews lined up at the start, either taking part in the race or following on in the tourism category
  • 19 crews from abroad
  • 8 countries represented
  • 475 kilometre itinerary
  • 99 timed trials
  • 6 average speed trials
  • 6 Trophies
  • 34 editions of the event
  • 16 car manufacturers present
  • 31 teams competing
  • 150 people involved, providing various services to the organisers of the rally: the members of Scuderia Trentina, the Canossa Events team, rally personnel, timekeepers, photographers and cameramen.

The Route and the Legs: Day by Day

Friday 28th June - Scrutineering and First Leg
The grounds at Cantine Ferrari started to fill up on Friday 28th June, as the crews arrived for the Stella Alpina, all full of enthusiasm and ready to take up the challenge presented by the roads in Trentino. Race documents were checked, the welcome gifts offered by the sponsors and organisers were handed out, and the cars were inspected and admired: a truly superb parterre for classic car enthusiasts and fans of the Prancing Horse.

The start of race was in Piazza Duomo in the centre of Trento, opened up for the event on a truly exceptional basis, so the cars lined up in the shadow of the city’s majestic Cathedral, ready to be presented to an admiring public. 

The cars got their starting orders and raced off for the first series of trials, heading off towards Borgo Valsugana, Valsorda and the breathtaking scenery at Manghen Pass with its very tight bends and narrow roads. After a enjoyable and relaxing break and the warm welcome in the centre of Cavalese, the crews drove through Val di Fassa and finally reached Pozza di Fassa, where the drivers and navigators were treated to a welcome party to local music. After dinner, overnight accommodation had been arranged in the best hotels in Moena.

Saturday 29th June
The Second Leg crosses the loveliest mountain passes in the Dolomites

On Saturday, the spectacular scenery of some of the most breathtaking roads in the Dolomites awaited the crews as they negotiated a panoramic and complex route, crossing seven mountain passes, including Costalunga, Nigra, Erbe, Valparola, Pordoi, Fedaia and San Pellegrino.

The second leg was unquestionably the most challenging of all three, the one expected to have the greatest sway on the final ranking. And so it was, with a fierce battle to gain first place. Between one series of trials and the next, the crews revelled in Trentino’s generous hospitality with welcome breaks organised in partnership with the local tourist offices in Chiusa and Falcade. They stopped off for lunch at Armentarola, with just enough time to stretch their legs and discuss the progress of the race so far before it was time to set off again, heading off in the direction of the next pass to be tackled with the sense of determination and marvel that only the scenery in the Dolomites can stir.

They arrived in Moena to find the town square packed with people eager to admire the cars and greet the drivers with a round of applause. The day came to a close with dinner in the mountains at Chalet Valbona, where the spectacular view of the Dolomites left everyone breathless. It was a special evening with a dazzlingly lovely mountain sunset. The mood was relaxed and friendly, with the guests raising a glass to one another, something you only encounter on the very best rallies.

Sunday 30th June - Last Leg and Awards Ceremony
On Sunday, the race set off from Predazzo heading towards Val di Cembra. The scenery was as spectacular as ever, even if this time the crews were taken back by the still evident after-effects of the devastation caused by the recent flooding. En route, the last series of trials decreed the final winners. There was time for a quick coffee break at Grumes ahead of the arrival at Roverè della Luna, the end of this leg.

The crews drove back to the starting point, closing a virtuous circle at Cantine Ferrari, where the highly-anticipated awards ceremony was to be held. While they were waiting for the rankings to be announced, the crews relaxed and chatted with the other crews, trading stories about the trials and the route, saying goodbye to old and new friends and making it a date for the 2020 rally.

The cups and prizes were on display in the room where the winners were to be announced; the timekeepers handed over the rankings; the doors opened, and the team was ready to welcome the competitors and the winners of this edition.

Acknowledgements

Canossa Events and Scuderia Trentina would like to thank all those who helped to make the event such a success: first of all the competitors, whether newcomers or old-timers, whose enthusiasm made this year’s rally truly unique.

Thanks to the City and the Provincial Government of Trento, the City of Moena for hosting the event, as well as all the local authorities in the towns we passed through, Automobile Club d’Italia, the many CSAI Rally Officers, all the race management staff, and all our supporters and volunteers as none of this would have been possible without their support.

The success of the Stella Alpina was also thanks to the support of our prime partners, in particular our main sponsor Azimut Wealth Management, acknowledged with its own challenging Trophy, Banca Galileo, Cantine Ferrari, Fassi and Lavor, top sponsor. 

Thanks also go to our partners: Ceccato Automobili, Zuccari, Gare d’Epoca and Sacréssence.