The event celebrating the legend of Tazio Nuvolari gets underway from Mantua

09/18/2026

Mantua, Friday, 18 September 2026 – The 36th edition of the Gran Premio Nuvolari, Italy’s most technical international regularity rally for historic cars, officially got underway today at precisely 9:30 a.m. Running until 20 September, the event brings together the world of classic enthusiasts and a spectacular line-up of timeless cars to celebrate the legend of the “Great Nivola”, the legendary sportsman who, more than anyone else, left his mark on the history of 20th-century motor racing.

The Gran Premio Nuvolari has brought together 280 crews from 20 different countries, who will cover a 1,100-kilometre route through some of the most fascinating landscapes of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, the Marche, Umbria and the Republic of San Marino.

Leading the procession will be a group of modern Grand Touring cars, followed by the historic cars competing in the rally, representing 35 automotive brands: Italian marques such as Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Lancia, Ferrari and Fiat; British manufacturers Jaguar, Aston Martin, Bentley and Triumph; German brands Mercedes, BMW and Porsche; and French cars bearing the name of Ettore Bugatti. A new feature this year is the presence of 80 pre-war cars, built between 1923 and 1939.

Alongside these automotive jewels, the event will also feature the leading drivers in the category, including Andrea Vesco, winner of last year’s edition, as well as names such as Fontanella, Beccalossi, Gamberini, Aliverti, Passanante, Di Pietra, Barcella, Zanotti, Sangiovanni, Belometti and Turelli, to name but a few.
They will be joined by a crew led by Aixa Franke, the renowned Argentine driver from Patagonia (Bariloche), who was invited by Mantova Corse in recognition of her social commitment. In addition to her achievements on the track, Aixa Franke founded the Mujeres al Volante initiative and actively promotes greater female participation in the automotive and sporting sectors, using her social media presence to build support networks for young female drivers.

Today, Friday 18 September, the Gran Premio Nuvolari set off from Piazza Sordello in Mantua. The first stamp controls will take place at the Iveco plant in Suzzara, before the crews reach Carpi, home to the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Carpi – one of the event’s patrons – where the first lunch stop will take place at the splendid Villa Ascari.

In the afternoon, the crews will head towards two historic and iconic venues in Italian motorsport. The first stop will be at Mugello Circuit, the Tuscan track renowned for its challenging and distinctive technical characteristics, where timed trials will be held. The second will be at the legendary Autodromo Internazionale “Enzo e Dino Ferrari” in Imola, home of the Formula 1 Grand Prix and a symbol of Made in Italy and Emilia-Romagna, where another timed trial will take place.

The cars will eventually reach Cesenatico, where dinner will be held at the Grand Hotel Da Vinci, while overnight accommodation is scheduled in Rimini.

Saturday, 19 September, the crews will leave Rimini and head towards the Marche, Umbria and Tuscany, passing through Sant’Angelo in Vado, Città di Castello, the Autodromo di Magione, Cortona and Arezzo. The return route will take them through Sansepolcro, over the Passo di Viamaggio and into the Republic of San Marino, before returning to Rimini, where the traditional Gala Dinner dedicated to Tazio Nuvolari will be held.

Sunday, 20 September, the final stage will take the competitors northwards, with the decisive timed trials in Meldola, the city circuits of Forlì and Lugo di Romagna, and the Power Stage in Piazza Ariostea in Ferrara. After lunch at the thousand-year-old Abbey of San Benedetto Po, the crews will head back to Mantua for the triumphant final finish in Piazza Sordello.

Organizers and partners
The 36th modern revival of the event, conceived and organised by Mantova Corse since 1991, will take place in compliance with F.I.A., F.I.V.A. and A.C.I. Sport regulations.The event’s long-standing partners have also been confirmed: Red Bull, Gruppo Finservice, Morbio Costruzioni, Mosso Time Keeper, Porsche Penske, Cognizant, UFI Filters and Tenute Salvaterra. Thanks to their support, the Gran Premio Nuvolari will offer participants an adrenaline-filled and memorable experience, combining the pleasure of driving through places of outstanding beauty with top-level sporting competition. The 36th Gran Premio Nuvolari is also supported by, among others, the Lombardy Region, the Municipalities of Mantua, Rimini, Arezzo, Forlì and Ferrara, the Province of Mantua, the Ministries of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of San Marino, and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Carpi.

Gran Premio Nuvolari Green
The organisation of the Gran Premio Nuvolari has always shown a keen sensitivity to environmental sustainability, pursuing for years a path aimed at safeguarding both people and the local area. The first "Gran Premio Nuvolari Green" initiative was launched in 2020 and involved planting trees to offset the CO2 emissions generated by the circulation of historic cars. A further initiative is also planned to reduce the use of plastic bottles: eco-friendly Tritan water bottles will be distributed to every crew, as well as to all organisational staff and media. During the stage starts in Mantua and Rimini, drinking water dispensers will be made available for use by all participants.

Entry requirements and terms
The Gran Premio Nuvolari welcomes historic cars built between 1919 and 1946 in the "PreWar" division, between 1947 and 1976 in the "Classic" division, and between 1977 and 2000 in the "Youngtimer" division, as well as 35 modern super GT cars in the "Gran Turismo" division, built between 2001 and 2026.