Cisella, Schiumarini and Trivini Bellini provide the big surprise on the entry list: the top three in the standings will fight on equal terms aboard Can-Am Maverick T4s
Everything is ready in Rivignano Teor, in the province of Udine, for the 3rd Baja dello Stella, taking place between tomorrow’s prologue and Saturday’s four runs over a single selective section, on compact gravel tracks in the Bassa Friulana area.
The fourth round of the 2026 Italian Cross Country Championship features a high-quality entry list, with the main protagonists of the season at the start as well as a notable international guest, Hungarian driver Zoltan Garamvolgyi, aboard a Garilla X3 Evo in Group T4 for improved vehicles.
Although not eligible for championship points, Garamvolgyi is a competitor worthy of close attention, having won the national event held alongside the Italian Baja in June. Through his Garilla Racing organisation, Garamvolgyi is also the organiser of the final round of the Italian championship, the Raid of The Champions, which will take place in Hungary from 12 to 14 November.
Turning to the home competitors, the main surprise emerging from the entry list for the 3rd Baja dello Stella is that the top three drivers in the championship standings – Martin Alejandro Cisella with 272 points, Andrea Schiumarini with 240 and Alessandro Trivini Bellini with 234 – will compete on equal terms, all driving Can-Am Maverick T4s.
Schiumarini, who raced his Century CR6 T1 at the Artugna Race in March and the Italian Baja in June, and a Mitsubishi L200 T1 at the Sardegna Rally Raid in May, has also decided to join the side-by-side battle. After recognising the potential of these vehicles, he wanted to assess it in competition following a pair of highly significant tests.
The vehicle at his disposal belongs to Marco Zini, who has been forced to remain on the sidelines because of physical problems after a promising start to the season.
A highly competitive battle is therefore expected, with junior driver Kevin Manocchi a potential wildcard aboard his family’s Yamaha YXZ 1000R. Last year’s winner at just 17 years of age, Manocchi has plenty of talent, although he is limited by the performance potential of a somewhat dated machine.
The only T3 entry, in the lightweight vehicle category, is Riccardo Benettolo’s Taurus Max. Powerful and reliable, it has all the credentials to put the Padua driver in contention for a top-ten result.
Among the traditional off-road vehicles, the leading contender is Alfio Bordonaro’s Suzuki Grand Vitara. The Sicilian driver from Catania is fifth overall in the championship and leads the T1 prototype category, where Schiumarini is no longer among his rivals.
Instead, Bordonaro will face the ever-present Lorenzo Codecà, an eleven-time champion, and Stefano Sabellico. The trio of Vitaras will attempt to resist the powerful Toyota Hilux T1+ of Fabio Samsa.
There are also four competitors in Group T2 for production vehicles, formerly a Suzuki one-make category, with Gianluca Morra being targeted by Fabio Acajou, Matteo Da Rin Spaletta and Michele Abeniacar.
Seven crews will compete in the TH category for vehicles with expired homologation. Alberto Gazzetta leads the way aboard a Suzuki New Jimny, pursued by a determined group including Stefano Moro in a Mitsubishi Pajero, father and son Maurizio and Lorenzo Traglio – respectively in a Nissan Patrol Y60A and Nissan Terrano LR50 – Mauro Cantarello in a BMW X3, Gianfranco Belletti in a Suzuki Grand Vitara and Paola Tagliabue in a Nissan Terrano I.
At the end of the entry list comes another surprise: reigning champion Emanuele Mengozzi will compete in a Mitsubishi Pajero entered in the Open Cross Country Rally Group. The vehicle has expired homologation, but the driver from Forlì still wants to take part and enjoy the event while his Toyota Hilux Overdrive remains under repair.
As for the rally competitors, the cars entered in the Trofeo Italia for modern vehicles and the Open Storico will compete separately, starting from Saturday’s second selective section.
A duel is expected between the Rally2 cars of Alberto Carniello, driving an HP Sport Skoda Fabia R5, and Piergiorgio Di Piazza in a Friulmotor Hyundai i20 N. Claudio De Cecco’s team will be making its first appearance in a cross-country competition.
Tomorrow, Friday 25 September, the programme begins with the crews’ administrative checks at Rivignano town hall and the technical scrutineering of the vehicles at Parco Divisione Julia.
The programme will continue with the shakedown, or pre-race test, in the Sella area and the drivers’ briefing in Piazza Tarabane.
At 17:00, the prologue will start from Palazzolo dello Stella. All crews entered in the event will take part, with the classification determining the starting order for the following day.
At 19:30, Piazza Tarabane will host the ceremonial start and the competitors’ presentation.
Saturday, 26 September, will feature the main competition, with one selective section to be repeated four times. The first competitor is scheduled to leave Rivignano at 08:10, 10:35, 13:05 and 15:05.
The route itself will only be revealed immediately before the event through the delivery of the road book.
A Media Zone will be located at Flambro di Talmassons following the first and second selective sections.
The finish and prize-giving ceremony will take place from 18:00 in Piazza Tarabane.
Source: 3rd Baja dello Stella Press Office Release
