RUSCE AND ZANNI WIN 45TH RALLY APPENNINO REGGIANO

SKODA FABIA RS CREWS LOCK OUT THE PODIUM IN ROUND FOUR OF COPPA RALLY DI ZONA 6

Antonio Rusce and Gabriele Zanni claimed victory at the 45th Rally Appennino Reggiano, securing top honours in the fourth round of the 2026 Coppa Rally di Zona 6 after a closely fought battle on the roads of the Reggio Emilia mountains.

The iconic Italian rally delivered intense competition throughout the day, with Rusce holding off sustained pressure from Gianluca Tosi and Alessandro Del Barba. The result marked Rusce’s second Rally Appennino Reggiano victory, following his previous success in 2017.

The fight for victory remained extremely close across the special stages, with Rusce and Tosi consistently separated by only tenths of a second. Their duel ultimately created a gap over the rest of the field as both crews demonstrated strong pace in identical Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 machinery.

Davide Medici and Daniele De Luis completed an all-Skoda Fabia RS podium in third place. Despite making their first start of the season, the crew delivered a competitive performance and finished ahead of several experienced rivals.

Local driver Ivan Ferrarotti, co-driven by Fabio Grimaldi, finished fourth in a Hyundai i20 Rally2. Ferrarotti steadily improved throughout the event and ended the rally just 6.1 seconds behind Medici.

Fifth place went to Roberto Vellani and Mariella Bonaiti in another Skoda Fabia RS. After an early tyre choice setback, the crew recovered well and remained in contention for the leading positions.

Gabriele Capelli and Del Rio secured sixth place, overtaking Emanuele Danesi and Jacopo Innocenti during the final loop of stages. Danesi ultimately finished seventh after an impressive performance on roads he was tackling for the first time.

Maletti and Milioli finished eighth overall, while Giacomo Guglielmini and Andrea Sarti guided their Renault Clio Rally3 to ninth place, once again challenging the more powerful Rally2 cars.

Completing the top ten was Federico Francia and Marco Nesti in a Lancia Ypsilon Rally4. Francia also emerged as the leading two-wheel-drive competitor, continuing his strong form with the Rally4 machine.

SPECIAL TROPHIES AWARDED

The Marco Franzoni Trophy, created in memory of the former ACI Reggio president, was awarded to Antonio Rusce as the highest-placed local driver.

The Diego Dodaro Memorial Award, established by 2M Group and carrying a €1,000 prize for the best two-wheel-drive crew, was claimed by Federico Francia.

TOP 10 OVERALL RESULTS

• Antonio Rusce / Gabriele Zanni (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)

• Gianluca Tosi / Alessandro Del Barba (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)

• Davide Medici / Daniele De Luis (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)

• Ivan Ferrarotti / Fabio Grimaldi (Hyundai i20 Rally2)

• Roberto Vellani / Mariella Bonaiti (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)

• Gabriele Capelli / Del Rio (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)

• Emanuele Danesi / Jacopo Innocenti (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)

• Maletti / Milioli (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)

• Giacomo Guglielmini / Andrea Sarti (Renault Clio Rally3)

• Federico Francia / Marco Nesti (Lancia Ypsilon Rally4)

KEY POINTS

• Antonio Rusce and Gabriele Zanni won the 45th Rally Appennino Reggiano

• The rally was the fourth round of the 2026 Coppa Rally di Zona 6

• Rusce secured his second victory in the event after winning in 2017

• Gianluca Tosi and Alessandro Del Barba finished second after a close battle

• Davide Medici and Daniele De Luis completed an all-Skoda podium

• Federico Francia was the highest-placed two-wheel-drive competitor

• Rusce received the Marco Franzoni Trophy

• Francia claimed the Diego Dodaro Memorial Award

"Antonio Rusce and Gabriele Zanni secured victory after a closely contested battle at the 45th Rally Appennino Reggiano."

"Skoda Fabia RS crews occupied all three positions on the overall podium in the fourth round of Coppa Rally di Zona 6."