ERC back to Italy? (Updated!)

Between 1977 and 1980 there have been a total of four ERC rounds held in Italy, at the Rallypista Santo Spirito at Gropello-Cairoli near the town of Pavia, about 60kms south of Milano. The events were all organised by the Automobile Club Pavia, also known as the organisers of the by then famous ‘Rally 4 Regioni’, and attracted nearly 10,000 spectators each. However, after those four years Rallycross disappeared from the Italian racing calendar while Autocross became a quite popular motorsport in Italy.

After the Italian Autocross scene had some problems over the last couple of years and was lacking venues now there are plans to include a brand new 850m track at the grounds of the Adria International Raceway near the town of Adria in the Veneto region of Northern Italy, situated about 70kms south-west of Venice. The work for the Autocross track should be completed by December and the organisers recently announced two Autocross events for the 2012 season, one on June 10 and the other one on August 5. The August event will count for the Italian and Austrian championships as well as for the FIA CEZ Autocross series.

One may think, okay, that’s good news for Autocross competitors and fans, but less interesting for the Rallycross enthusiast. Not really, there should be a Rallycross track also, but we need to wait for one more year. For 2013 the 850m loose surface track should become extended with about 400m of the 2700m long tarmac racing circuit, and should have a Joker Lap section also, so that the organisers will be able to welcome Rallycross drivers back to Italy after more than three decades. The target is to run an ERC round sooner or later, the in 2002 opened venue is said to be a perfect place and will offer top level facilities. So far the Raceway has hosted events of the FIA GT Championship, Italian Formula 3 Championship, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters – DTM, and the Formula 3 Euro Series and is now looking forward to join the two racing branches ruled by the FIA Off-Road Commission.

Update of 12.12.11: According to information from Italy the venue will not be converted for Autocross and subsequently Rallycross before 2013, due to necessary investments to improve the paddock area. There is talks about more than one million € needed for this improvements and, therefore, the plans for the off-road sport tracks have been put aside for another year now.

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