Monte Erice Hill Climb
The historic hill climb race on the roads between Valderice and Erice
About Monte Erice
A legend of Sicilian motorsport
The Monte Erice Hill Climb is one of the oldest and most beloved hill climb competitions in Italy. The first edition took place on September 5, 1954, won by Pasquale Tacci in an Alfa Romeo 1900 TI along an original track that started in Trapani and wound for over sixteen kilometers. Since then, the race has traversed the history of national motorsport, retaining its charm and becoming an unmissable appointment for drivers and fans from all over Europe.
The track between Valderice and Erice
The current course measures 5,730 meters and unfolds along the Strada Regionale 1 that connects Valderice to Erice, in the heart of the province of Trapani. With a vertical drop of 410 meters and an average gradient of 7.05%, the track tests both cars and drivers with technical curves, challenging hairpin turns, and breathtaking views over the Gulf of Trapani and the Egadi Islands. Since 2022, an artificial chicane with three speed-reducing barriers, located around the 3.5-kilometer mark, has made the test even more selective. The race is held over two heats, for a total of over 11 kilometers of pure uphill speed.
Championships and protagonists
The event is valid for the Italian Mountain Speed Championship (CIVM), the Italian Supersalita Championship, and the Italian Historic Car Hill Climb Championship, bringing together latest-generation prototypes, sports cars, and jewels of the past. Among the great protagonists, Simone Faggioli stands out as the true king of the Erice climb, having collected twelve victories on Monte Erice with his Nova Proto. Alongside national champions, the race always sees a strong representation of Sicilian and international drivers, including those from Switzerland and France.
A sports festival for the region
More than just a race, the Monte Erice Hill Climb is a true popular festival that involves the Municipality of Erice and the entire Trapani district. For an entire weekend in September, the sports village, paddocks, and grandstands along the route come alive with crowds, while the roar of engines echoes among the medieval glimpses of Erice summit and the villages of Valderice. The event represents an important driver for tourism promotion in western Sicily, combining a passion for motors with the landscape and cultural beauty of one of the island's most evocative places.
Monte Erice — edition 2026
68th Monte Erice Hill Climb
The 68th edition of the Monte Erice Hill Climb is set for Sunday, September 6, 2026, following the usual route along the 5,730 meters of the Strada Regionale 1 connecting Valderice to Erice. The event is included in the calendar of the Italian Mountain Speed Championship - CIVM South 2026, confirming the central role of the Trapani race in the landscape of hill climbs in Southern Italy.
As per tradition, the organization is managed by the Automobile Club Trapani, which will publish the complete program with the schedules for checks, official practice, and the race, as well as the entry list, in the weeks prior. The details of the line-up and schedules have not yet been released at the time of publication of this entry.
Practical information — Monte Erice
How to get there
Erice and Valderice can be reached by car from the A29 Palermo-Mazara del Vallo motorway, taking the Trapani exit and continuing towards the Strada Regionale 1. Trapani-Birgi airport is about 30 km away. During the race, the SR1 is closed to traffic: it is necessary to follow the alternative routes indicated by the organization.
When
The event typically takes place on the first weekend of September, with technical and sporting checks on Friday, official practice on Saturday, and the race on Sunday.
Information
For the program, schedules, and details on public access, please consult the Automobile Club Trapani website and the organization's official channels.
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Where does it take place — Monte Erice
Strada Regionale 1 Valderice-Erice