Rally Lana 2023, the most awaited automotive event in the Biella area, took place in Biella from 21 to 22 July 2023. Here’s how it went.
What is Rally Lana
The Lana rally is an automotive event held annually in the city of Biella. Born in 1973 as a “Regularità Sprint” and promoted to “International Rally” in 1978, it has become one of the most demanding tests of the Italian Rally Championship. After a 17-year hiatus, the event was given new life in 2018 thanks to “Rally Lana Alive” and “New Turbomark”. This year the 36th edition was held, which took place on 21 and 22 July 2023.
The 2023 Rally della Lana was valid for the Italian flag as part of the Italian Asphalt Rally Championship (CIRA), as well as for the Zone 1 ACI Sport Cup, the Piedmont Val d’Aosta Championship, the Michelin Trofeo Italia, the Pirelli Academy, the Suzuki Rally Cup and the R-Italian Trophy series. Not surprisingly, the event attracted pilots and enthusiasts from different parts of Italy, guaranteeing a high-level competition.
Rally Lana 2023 route
The race began on Friday 21st July at 9pm in Piazza del Duomo in Biella and ended on Saturday 22nd July at 5pm in the same location.
Source: www.rallly-lana.it
The route of the Rally Lana 2023 boasted a total competitive distance of 94.150 km on seven “piesse” and offering adrenaline-pumping moments right from the early stages. On the first day, in fact, the famous night climb to the Sanctuary of Oropa was held, added to the pitfalls of the Tracciolino for an opening challenge of almost 24 km. The second day was the turn of a triptych of daytime tests which were repeated twice: Bielmonte, Ailoche and Curino, for a total of around 70km.
Rally Lana 2023: special stages
The special stages of the rally presented unique characteristics and technical challenges.
SS 1 Città di Biella (KM 23.550): with its abundant 23 km it was the longest stage of the 2023 Wool Rally and also one of the longest ever of the Italian Asphalt Rally Championship. It combined the ascent to the Sanctuary of Oropa with the Tracciolino.
PS 2 – 5 Bielmonte (KM 10.650): this is a route that takes place at high altitude. The climatic conditions were fortunately favorable otherwise they could have made the route difficult.
Stage 3 – 6 Ailoche (KM 11.500): the stretch was characterized by a long series of switchbacks and a long final descent. Particularly difficult is the Ailoche-Caprile crossroads which, being on the counter slope, increases the risk of falling off the route.
Stage 4 – 7 Curino (KM 13.350): it is the typical section of the Rally Lana. This year, just like last year, it was traveled in reverse, having an uphill start, followed by a flat stretch and final descent.
Each test required driving skills, precise trajectories and a good balance between courage and control.
Who won the 2023 wool rally?
The 2023 wool rally was won by the duo made up of Stefano Albertini and Danilo Fappani aboard a Skoda Fabia Rally2/R5. The two excelled in 3 of the 7 special stages.
In second place on the podium went Simone Campedelli and Tania Canton who competed with a Skoda Fabia.
Bronze medal for the local driver of the wool rally, Corrado Pinzano, winner of the last edition, who, accompanied by Marco Turati, encountered a puncture in the VolksWagen Polo Rally2/R5 suffering a loss of about 30 seconds.
Conclusions
The Rally della Lana in Biella has become an automotive event of great importance in the Italian sports scene. Its history, technical challenges and the participation of high-level riders contribute to making it an eagerly awaited appointment every year. With its 36th edition, the wool rally has confirmed emotions and entertainment for enthusiasts and lovers of road racing.
SafetyDrugs was pleased to have participated again this year as main sponsor in the traditional car race in Biella, the company’s mother city. The commitment to support the Rally della Lana reflects its commitment to supporting local initiatives and promoting sport in the area.
For more information and to participate in the event, it is recommended to visit the official website of Rally Lana 2023.
For those who could not participate live, the race was broadcast on ACI Sport TV on Sky channel 228, on Rally Dreamer TV, on the YouTube channel of Rally Lana and on the site of NewsBiella, the local newspaper.
Find out more about past edition
