Rally Il Grappolo

Modern rallying in the heart of the Asti region

The Rally Il Grappolo is the most anticipated modern car race of the spring in San Damiano d'Asti, in the Province of Asti, Piedmont. Organized by the A.S.D. San Damiano Rally Club, the event brings a hundred crews to the hills of the Asti Monferrato every year, driving modern vehicles ranging from powerful World Rally Cars and Rally2s to the more agile Rally4 and Rally5 models. The name "Il Grappolo" (The Grape Cluster) reflects the winemaking identity of this corner of Piedmont, a land of great wines and winding roads perfect for rallying.

Sporting status

The event is a key round of the Zone Rally Cup (CRZ) by ACI Sport for the 2nd Zone, gathering drivers chasing points for the regional standings and the Italian Cup. The 2026 edition, the tenth in its history, saw about one hundred cars at the start, featuring prominent names like Alessandro Gino in a Citroën C3 WRC Plus, previous season winners Marco Varetto and Ivan Carmellino, as well as the young talent Jacopo Araldo.

The route through the vineyards

The rally takes place on special stages that touch San Damiano d'Asti and the neighboring towns of Celle Enomondo and Agliano Terme, in one of the most iconic and spectacular sections of the race. The program includes a shakedown on Saturday morning in the Valteglio area, followed in the afternoon by the 10.6-kilometer "San Damiano" special stage. Sunday brings the action to its peak with the "Celle Enomondo" (12 km) and "Agliano" stages—the longest of the rally—repeated several times with stops at the service park.

Start and finish in the town center

Piazza Libertà in San Damiano d'Asti hosts the starting ramp and the finish line, while the town center comes alive with the service park and crowds of spectators gathered along the special stages. Technical and sporting checks open the weekend on Friday evening, officially kicking off the event.

More than just a race

Il Grappolo is a celebration for the entire Asti community: alongside the competition, there are side initiatives such as a live web broadcast with images, interviews, and rankings curated by the San Damiano Rally Club, the election of "Miss Rally Il Grappolo," and the "slot car" challenge organized by Sport Forever. It is the perfect opportunity to discover a territory made of hills, wineries, and traditions, experiencing the thrill of modern rally cars racing through the Monferrato firsthand.