Almost 190 kilometers of special stages over three days of intense excitement. The “Rocca di Cave – Subiaco” remains the longest stage in both the FIA European Rally Championship and the Campionato Italiano Assoluto Rally Sparco. The Coppa Rally di 8^ Zona will compete on the same stages.
Rome, July 10th 2024 – Only two weeks remain until the Rally di Roma Capitale, the fifth round of the FIA European Rally Championship, the Campionato Italiano Assoluto Rally Sparco, and also round for the Coppa Rally di 8^ Zona. The event, conceived by former world champion Max Rendina and organized by Motorsport Italia, is ready to deliver more thrills with an itinerary that will test both man and machine, blending tradition and innovation.
Once again, the technical staff of Motorsport Italia has designed an itinerary of great sporting significance. Thanks to the experience of Emanuele Inglesi, former co-driver of Max Rendina, the Rally di Roma Capitale 2024 will feature 13 very technical special stages, combining both familiar and new sections, with the return for the second consecutive year of the longest competitive segment in both the continental and Italian championships.
The event will kick off on Friday, July 26th, with free practice, qualifying and shakedown in Fumone, before moving to the center of Rome for the traditional parade through the city’s streets and the spectacular start from Colle Oppio, in front of the Colosseum, scheduled for 8:00 PM with the SSS1 “Colosseo ACI Roma”. This show stage, whose images have already gone around the world, has become not just a symbol of the event but of the entire championship. Created with the collaboration of the Department of Major Events, Tourism, and Fashion of Roma Capitale and the commitment of Councillor Alessandro Onorato, the show at the Colosseum along with the starting platform set up just steps from the start of the stage will represent the event within the event, a must-see evening. A unique moment for crews and spectators that will warm the hearts of a summer night just steps from the most famous monument of the city.
After this prologue, the action will move inland, with two days of competition on Saturday, July 27th, and Sunday, July 28th, in the area of Fiuggi and the Frosinone province. The first day, Friday, will feature six special stages, three to be repeated twice. “Alatri” will be the same as in 2023 with the famous downhill virtual chicane, which last year was the first in the world ever used in a rally competition. “Santopadre-Fontana Liri” will return to its 2022 configuration with a length of 28.74 kilometers and the evocative crossing through Santopadre. The loop will close with the “Guarcino-Altipiani” of almost 12 kilometers, with an unprecedented tyre warming zone just before the start, where competitors will warm up their tires offering a show to the spectators.
The second leg will include another six stages, again three to be repeated twice. “Fiuggi” will open the day. Previously used as a Power Stage in recent editions, this year it will be a traditional stage. All eyes are on the “Rocca di Cave-Subiaco”, 32.30 kilometers of passion as it will be the longest stage of the European and Italian rally season 2024. A novelty is the new Power Stage, with the return of the “Monastero-Jenne”, a stage used in previous years by the Rally di Roma Capitale. This stage is characterized by the passage through famous tunnels, undoubtedly providing a great spectacle live on worldwide TV. The finish in Fiuggi will begin at 5:15 PM.
The Coppa Rally di Zona 8 with Coefficient 2 will also compete in the Rally di Roma Capitale. Motorsport Italia has worked hard to ensure the CRZ a complete event without exceeding in kilometers, and thus costs, but allowing competitors to drive all the special stages used by the FIA ERC and CIAR. The days will be only two, Saturday, July 27th, and Sunday, July 28th, with three stages each day. The CRZ will tackle the second loop on the special stages, using a shortened version of “Santopadre-Fontana Liri” on Saturday and “Rocca di Cave-Subiaco” on Sunday. This route will allow, by covering about 70 kilometers of stages, to aim for double the points normally assigned for this length of timed distance, without losing the technicality and charm of the course. A choice that will guarantee competitors double points while running on the same special stages while maintaining the expected economic investment for this validity. The arrival of the CRZ entrants will be on Sunday, July 28, in Fiuggi, on the main ramp, following the European and Italian Championship.
