With the closing of registrations, the countdown to the weekend has begun. Among the big names at the start stands the Treviso Danny Zardo, who has already won four times here
The charge of 220. At midnight on Monday, registrations for the 47th Alpe del Nevegal have closed, the classic time trial that, like every year, excites Belluno enthusiasts.
Thus began the countdown to hear the roar of the engines echo throughout the Nevegal Valley. After Friday’s qualifications, on Saturday we get to the heart with practice from 9.30 to 18.30, and then move on to Sunday with the two-run race from 9 to 18.
We come to the pilots. There are 220 members and, like every year, there is no shortage of news. First of all, this year the race is given a touch of internationality, since there will not only be Italian drivers, but also Austrians, Germans and even Hungarians will participate. In fact, this edition is valid for the Italian Trophy and for the Austrian Mountain Championship.
The protagonists will be of absolute prestige, just think that a certain Danny Zardo has joined the photo finish. Yes, that’s him: the Arcade driver from Treviso who in 2017, aboard his Lola B 99/50, was the fastest to climb the hill. In reality this is his last triumph in the competition because already in the editions of 2009, 2011 and 2012 he was positioned on the top step of the podium. This year on board his Norma M20 he will attempt the five.
It will not be easy, given the competition of the Austrian Felix Pailer on the Lancia Delta evolution, of Diego Degasperi on the Osella FA30 Zytek and of the other Austrian Karl Schagerl, already overall winner in Nevegal in 2016, on the Volkswagen Golf R TFSI. He was the last foreign driver to win the race. The German Alexander Hin on Osella PA 30, the Abruzzese Stefano Di Fulvio on Osella PA 30 Zytek, the South Tyrolean, multiple Italian champion, Rudi Bicciato on Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and Ferrari driver Roberto Ragazzi, winner in Nevegal will be breathless on their necks. in 2005.
TDenis Mezzacasa may well appear among the people of Belluno in his Formula Renault 2000, 22nd last year. Everyone will try to scratch that record of 2 minutes, 22 seconds and 66 cents repeated last year by Christian Merli from Trentino.
At this point, however, a couple of questions arise: Will the record holder participate? Will there also be Simone Faggioli, who with Merli had given life to a rustic duel in the past edition? The answer is no. Both will not be able to be present as they are engaged in a concomitant race of the Italian championship in Calabria. The 5500 meters of track that starts from Caleipo and arrives at Alpe in Fiore have also undergone a restyling. Like every year, two historical characters of the race will be remembered: Liin De Salvador and Mario Facca. De Salvador is entitled to the prize awarded to the first absolute, the first Belluno, the first under 25 and the first woman. The prize awarded to the author of the best absolute time among historic cars is reserved for Facca. The race officer Giovanni Festuccia, who recently passed away, will also be remembered. Finally, the fiftieth anniversary of the activities of a Belluno brand: ReBo, the prototypes made by the Cadore designer Renato Bombassei.