3rd Tandalò Hill Climb: A Celebration of Smiles at the Finish

Italy’s only off-road hill climb is an established motorsport event, rooted in sporting values and tourism.

September 30, 2018, Buddusò. As evening fell, the 81 crews began to disperse. Just hours earlier, they had been suited up and helmeted, flat out in a bid to set the fastest time on Italy’s gravel climb, now firmly established as one of the landmark events in off-road motorsport.

The event began on Friday in Alà dei Sardi, where the Mayor arranged for the main road to be closed so that the competing cars could parade through town on their way to scrutineering. It was a striking show of support from the Sardinian town, which welcomed the Tandalò “circus” with open arms. The day ended with a drivers’ briefing at the IP Erica Petroli station in Buddusò, which hosted a pre-race party with grilled meat and a DJ set.

Saturday’s action got under way with free runs on the course and the shakedown. There were only a few runs, but they were enough to get the drivers and co-drivers fired up. Franco Canalis, a two-time winner of the event from Pattada, claimed the first Special Stage and immediately made his ambitions clear. It was a decisive opening, but it did not deter the charging Spaniards, who finished hot on the local champion’s heels. The first rally car was Andrea Carta’s Skoda R5, as he began getting to grips with the rocket at his disposal. In Off-road Speed, Italian champion Natale Casalboni struggled to find his rhythm and could not set a competitive time in his prototype. Off-road racing delivered the first twist: Italian champion Ivano Nicoletta, driving his new Fiat 500 prototype with a Viterbo engine, suffered a mechanical problem and posted a poor time. Emanuele Lagrotteria was fastest in the category in his twin-motorcycle-engine prototype.

The second stage began to shake up the standings, with Spaniard Palacio beating everyone in his Kart Cross and throwing down the gauntlet to Canalis, who finished just 1.19 seconds behind. Gallo and Sternieri, also in their Kart Cross cars, finally hit their stride and tried to keep pace with the Spaniard. In the Rally category, Canu charged up the order in his Evo 9, followed by Carta and Vanni, who were still getting to know the course. In Off-road Racing, Lagrotteria repeated his performance, but Moscati closed the gap, and the battle between the high-clearance 4x4 prototypes began. The first leg ended with a varied leaderboard, with plenty of competitors still in contention.

Tandalò is about racing, but also friendship and hospitality. On Saturday evening, the family of Giuseppe Marroni, in whose memory the event is held, hosted its customary dinner for all participants and event staff. It was a fun, convivial occasion, also featuring the Cystic Fibrosis Association, which Tandalò has supported since this year by involving its rally ambassador, Rachele Somaschini. Competing in a Citroen DS3 R3T, she continues her charity campaign, which she created, #CorrerePerUnRespiro.

On Sunday morning, Tandalò woke to summer sunshine and a host of determined drivers ready to take on the climb to the wind farm. Special Stage 3 ended in a photo finish, with Canalis first and Spaniard Palacio just 0.18 seconds behind! Third place went to another young but experienced Spanish rally driver, Lopez, at the wheel of a Peugeot 208 with two motorcycle engines. In the Rally category, Carta climbed the order to fourth, a sign that he and his Skoda R5 had grown closer. Marrone Senior had also got to grips with his Peugeot 208 T16 R5 and was closing in on the top of the Rally standings. In Off-road Racing, the battle between Lagrotteria and Moscati continued, with the pair once again close on this stage.

Special Stage 4 had a distinctly Spanish flavour, with Lopez refusing to let his compatriot beat him and dominating the stage by 2.33 seconds. Behind them, a host of Italians battled on, determined to give it their all to the end: Porcheddu, in his off-road speed buggy, finished third and showed his mettle.

The final Special Stage, where the winner will be decided. Despite the format allowing competitors to discard their worst time, everyone is fired up and unwilling to give their rivals an inch.

Overall standings:

Overall winner: Palacio.

Rally Category: Francesco Marrone - Francesco Fresu.

Off-road Speed: Porcheddu.

Off-road Racing: Lagrotteria.