Lodovico Scarfiotti Trophy – Sarnano-Sassotetto Hill Climb

A legend of speed climbing in the Marche region

The Lodovico Scarfiotti Trophy is one of the most beloved and longest-running hill climbs in the Italian automotive scene. It takes place in Sarnano, an elegant spa town in the province of Macerata, in the heart of the Sibillini Mountains National Park, along the scenic road leading to the ski resort of Sassotetto. The event is organized by the Automobile Club Macerata and is a regular fixture in the calendar for motorsport enthusiasts in the Marche region and throughout Italy.

History: From Lodovico Scarfiotti to Today

The race was born in 1969, the year after the death of the Turin-based driver Lodovico Scarfiotti, winner of the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monza in 1966 and tragically killed in 1968 during a hill climb in Germany, at Rossfeld. The trophy was created to honor his memory. After a long interruption from 1992 to 2007 due to organizational and economic difficulties, the race returned in 2008 and is now a classic of the summer season, valid for the national championships.

The Course: The SP120 towards Sassotetto

The track winds along the Strada Provinciale 120 for 9,977 meters, from the Brilli locality to the finish line at Fonte Lardina, at an altitude of 1,285 meters. It features an elevation gain of about 800 meters and an average gradient of 8%. It is an extremely challenging course, alternating a difficult initial section with fast stretches, interspersed with seven hairpin bends in the upper part. The climb severely tests the driving skills of the pilots and the performance of the cars.

Two Races in One: Modern and Historic Cars

The unique feature of the Scarfiotti Trophy is the simultaneous presence of two competitions: the Lodovico Scarfiotti Trophy for modern cars, valid for the Italian Mountain Speed Championship (CIVM), and the Historic L. Scarfiotti Trophy for historic cars, valid for the Italian Historic Car Speed Hill Climb Championship (CIVSA). The two categories race concurrently, offering the public a unique spectacle of state-of-the-art prototypes and vintage cars.

An Event for the Territory

In addition to the sporting competition, the Scarfiotti Trophy is an important tourist showcase for Sarnano and the entire Sibillini area. The race weekend enlivens the historic center of the town, where technical and sporting checks are held in the paddock, attracting thousands of spectators, industry professionals, and curious onlookers who flock to the scenic spots along the climb to watch the cars pass.