From Cassino, Munaretto launches its challenge with Korhola and Kauppinen: the penultimate CIAR Sparco round promises fireworks
A national event with a strong international flavour – that is what awaits MS Munaretto at the Rally del Lazio, the sixth and penultimate round of the Campionato Italiano Assoluto Rally Sparco, taking place from today until Saturday 13 September on the tarmac roads of the Frosinone area.
Flying the colours of the Scledense team will be two Finnish crews, both determined to make their mark. The first is led by young talent Benjamin Korhola (class of 2003), co-driven by fellow countryman Kristian Temonen. Carrying number 7 on the doors of their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, this event will mark Korhola’s official debut with the Czech machine. Korhola, who made his ERC debut in 2022 and clinched WRC-3 victory at Rally Finland in 2023, is dividing his 2025 campaign between CIR and CIRT, showing a steadily growing potential.
Alongside them, another name already familiar to Italian fans: Tuukka Kauppinen, behind the wheel of his trusty Lancia Ypsilon Rally4, partnered by Veli-Pekka Karttunen. Starting with number 25, the duo already impressed on Lazio’s roads at Rally di Roma Capitale, where they secured seventh overall in class. Now, they are ready to raise the stakes again on the twisting stages around Cassino.
The Rally del Lazio promises an intense schedule. Following today’s shakedown, the event officially comes alive with the ceremonial start at 20:30 on Cassino’s Corso della Repubblica. Two full days of fierce competition will follow, featuring 12 special stages totalling 110.91 competitive kilometres, within an overall route of 597.36 km. The action begins Friday morning with the spectacular Power Stage “Pico” at 08:50, already decisive in the battle for championship points.
This Lazio round marks a crucial crossroads of the season: with the CIAR Sparco championship closer than ever, the penultimate rally could prove pivotal before the grand finale in Sanremo. And with its double Finnish arrow, MS Munaretto is ready to fight to the very end.
