Louis Constant claims an overall podium and the Under 25 victory on the San Marino gravel, while Oriella and Sambugaro shine at San Martino di Castrozza in a demanding and far from straightforward event.
MS Munaretto rounds off an intense weekend full of positive indications, split between the gravel of the San Marino Rally and the asphalt of the Rallye San Martino di Castrozza. Two deeply different technical contexts, tackled by the Schio-based team with seven crews at the start and results that once again confirmed solidity, versatility and competitiveness.
On the gravel roads of the 54th San Marino Rally, Louis Constant and Maxime Martini delivered a performance full of character in the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 number 7. After a difficult start and a penalty at the end of the opening day, the French crew managed to rebuild their rally with clarity, pace and composure, climbing back up the order to claim third overall and first place among the Under 25 crews.
It was a valuable podium, achieved at the end of a rally in which they never lost focus, even when the classification appeared to have become more complicated. Louis reacted with maturity, turning a slow start into a concrete comeback, built stage after stage and completed with a result of great value for the whole team.
Luca Hoelbling and Mauro Grassi also produced a strong performance in the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 number 11. The Italian crew ran a San Marino Rally in crescendo, without mistakes, showing a solid and progressive pace throughout the event. Hoelbling finished just outside the top ten, managing on the final stage to get back in touch with the group of the leading ten and confirming the consistency that has always marked him out as one of the most reliable and concrete gentleman drivers on the national scene.
There was satisfaction too for Simone Romagna and Dino Lamonato, in the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 number 15, who closed the rally inside the top ten after a return that required measure and attention. Already on the opening day, Romagna had summed up the meaning of his run well: “We started well. We have skipped two rallies, so it takes a little time to get back into the rhythm, but it is fine like this. No risks. The car is perfect and tomorrow is another day.”
That clear-headed approach was then confirmed by the final result. Romagna was able to regain confidence with the car and with the rally pace without pushing beyond what was necessary, bringing home an important placing and a useful result from which to restart on solid foundations.
On the Rallye San Martino di Castrozza front, MS Munaretto collected another noteworthy performance with Paolo Oriella and Sandra Tommasini, competing in the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 number 8. Oriella made the most of a technical and far from simple route, finishing third overall and second in the CRZ standings. It was a high-level rally, managed with authority and solidity, allowing the crew to begin their 2026 season in the best possible way.
Another source of satisfaction for the Venetian team came from Michele Sambugaro and Mauro Cumerlato, at the start in the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 number 12. After the disappointment of the Rally del Bardolino, where a puncture had taken them away from the top-ten fight, Sambugaro responded with an almost perfect rally, precise in management and solid in pace. The final top-ten result rewarded a mature performance, built without excess but with great effectiveness.
It was a more complex rally for Tiziano Panato and Milena Danese, competing in the Peugeot 207 S2000 number 20. San Martino di Castrozza once again proved to be a selective event, with a route capable of putting even experienced crews in difficulty. Panato brought the car to the finish without setbacks, despite encountering some difficulties on the stages, completing a useful rally to gain further mileage and continue the work.
There was a bitter ending, however, for Michele Griso and Alex Guion, entered in the Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 number 36. A road excursion on the road section towards the first special stage forced the crew to retire before they had even been able to get properly into the rally. It was an unfortunate episode, inevitably leaving some regret, but it does not alter the growth path undertaken with the car. Their chance will come next time.
