The 2026 Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti once again proved to be a celebration of both speed and elegance, bringing together historic cars and their passionate owners in the breathtaking landscapes of the Dolomites. This year’s event saw intense competition on the winding roads between Cortina d’Ampezzo and the Belluno Dolomites, as well as a showcase of automotive beauty at the Concorso d’Eleganza.
The event, which serves as the third round of the Italian Grandi Eventi Championship, featured a mix of historic and modern cars, each vying for precision and speed in time trials and average speed tests. The Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti is renowned for its ability to blend competition, elegance, and the natural beauty of the Dolomites into a single, unforgettable experience.
The Race to Victory
The top spot on the podium went to Gianmario Fontanella and Giovanni Scarabelli, who drove the prestigious 1927 Lancia Lambda Spider Casaro to victory. Their success was built on a series of consistently strong performances throughout the event, culminating in a final penalty score of 370.84. The duo navigated the challenging mountain passes and hairpin bends with remarkable precision, showcasing their skill and the capabilities of their classic Lancia.
Fontanella and Scarabelli’s victory came after a hard-fought battle with Francesco and Giuseppe Di Pietra, the defending champions from the 2026 edition. The Di Pietra brothers faced setbacks due to carburetion problems related to the altitude, forcing them to mount a difficult comeback. Despite their efforts, they finished in second place 84. The Di Pietras did secure victory in the RC2 category, further solidifying their leadership in the championship.
The Podium Finishers
Completing the podium were Mario Passanante and Riccardo Riboldi, who drove a Fiat 508 C to third place. After facing challenges in the average speed tests, the duo recovered ground with strong performances in the pressure switch tests. Rounding out the top five were Osvaldo and Andrea Peli in their 1934 Fiat 508 C Coppa Oro, and Carlo Beccalossi and Marzia Marchioni in another Lancia Lambda Spider Casaro.
Category Winners
The event saw victories across various categories, with Roberto Crugnola and Darren Morcombe taking the top spot in the RC4 group and the Power Stage Classic in their 1971 Lancia Fulvia HF 1.6. Alessandro Gamberini and Andrea Camosci secured sixth place The RC3 category was won by the brothers Celestino and Oreste Sangiovanni in their 1959 Porsche 356 A, with Alessandro Virdis and Silvia Giordo close behind in another Porsche 356 A.
Among the younger competitors, Michele Vecchi and Federico Forzi stood out, winning the Under 30 category in their 1951 Lancia Appia C10 S. The Legend cars classification rewarded Riccardo Roversi and Sara Miglioli for their victory in a 1978 Mercedes-Benz SL 450, with Dario Converso and Federica Ameglio taking second place in a 1972 Innocenti Mini Cooper. In the women’s rankings, Vania Parolaro and Ornella Pietropaolo led the way in a 1996 Porsche 993 4S.
In the modern cars category of the Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti Tributo, Gianantonio and Edoardo Gasparini shone with their Ferrari 296 GTS, showcasing the blend of classic and contemporary that defines the event.
The Concorso d’Eleganza
Alongside the racing action, the Concorso d’Eleganza celebrated the timeless beauty and history of the participating cars. The main award went to the 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider Aprile, driven by Corrado Lopresto and Elena Maggiore. This iconic Italian car, with its Zagato spider carrozzeria and six-cylinder engine with a compressor, underwent a transformation in 1938 when the Carrozzeria Aprile of Savona gave it new forms designed by Mario Revelli de Beaumont.
The Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport Spider Aprile has a rich history, surviving the war and decades of use in Liguria before being rediscovered and restored to its original splendor. Its white livery is a testament to Italian elegance, and the passion with which the Collezione Lopresto preserves this heritage is evident in its victories at prestigious concours around the world, from Pebble Beach to Villa d’Este.
The Elegance Podium
Joining the Alfa Romeo on the podium were the 1938 BMW 328 Roadster of Argentine crew Luis Angel Zerbini and Silvia Susana De La Iglesia, and the 1939 Lagonda Rapide Drophead Coupé of German duo Eberhard Thiesen and Radolf Svenja. The BMW 328, known for its sporting prowess and lightweight frame, made a striking impression in its unusual black livery. The Lagonda Rapide, with its V12 engine and elegant design, exemplified the grandeur of pre-war English automotive engineering.
The 2026 Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti concluded with a parade along Corso Italia in Cortina d’Ampezzo, bringing together the thrill of competition, the beauty of the Dolomites, and some of the most fascinating cars in automotive history.
