Monza Rally Is a Legends Showcase

Photography by Rosario Liberti

The historic Autodromo Nazionale Monza, located near the town of Monza, just north of Milano, played host to the Monza Historic Rally during the weekend of November 28-30. Races have taken place there since 1922, and the challenging track hosts the Italian Grand Prix, as well as other motorsport events. The first edition of the “Rally of Monza”, however, only dates back to 1978, when the organizers decided to broaden their horizons, and opened up the circuit to rally cars as well.

During the early years, the stages took place on dirt roads constructed especially for the event within the interior sections of the Autodrome. Later, cars would also compete on the asphalt paths of the Monza road circuit as well. Since the event’s inception, many motorsport legends have competed here–Alessandro Zanardi, Colin McRae, Dani Sordo, “Dindo” Capello, Giancarlo Fisichella, Ivan Capelli, Jean Alesi, Loris Capirossi, Marku Alen, Markus Gronholm, Michele Alboreto, Miki Biasion, Valentino Rossi, Sebastien Loeb, and many others. Their participation has helped the Monza Rally become a classic. In 2013, and continuing this year, classic rally cars were invited back to the circuit. They compete in the same stages that the modern rally cars do, except with reduced mileage. The Monza Rally Show can now equally be defined as classic due to its history of over three decades.