Svolte di Popoli Hill Climb

The historic hill climb of Abruzzo

The Svolte di Popoli Hill Climb is a legendary fixture in Italian motorsport. Established in 1963, it ranks among the country's oldest uphill speed races. It takes place in Popoli Terme, in the province of Pescara, in the heart of Abruzzo. Every summer, it draws drivers, racing teams, and enthusiasts from across Italy to the winding roads of the Strada Regionale 17 in the Abruzzo Apennines.

The event is organized by A.S.D. Svolte di Popoli in collaboration with the Automobile Club Pescara. It is a round of the Italian Mountain Speed Championship (CIVM), featuring the prestigious dual validity for both the northern and southern zones of the championship—a detail that makes it one of the most coveted stages on the national hill climb calendar.

The course

The track spans 7.530 kilometers along the SR 17, starting from Contrada Canapine in Popoli Terme (PE) at km 82+730 and finishing at the junction for San Benedetto in Perillis (AQ) at km 75+200. The course, famous for the twists and hairpin turns from which the race takes its name, connects the provinces of Pescara and L'Aquila. It climbs from the Pescara valley into the Apennine peaks, testing the power of prototypes and the skill of drivers through the numerous curves that define the ascent.

A race for every category

The Svolte di Popoli is a motorsport spectacle featuring a wide range of vehicle categories: from the premier class prototypes and motorcycle-engined sports cars to Silhouette E2SH, GTs, Ferraris, TCRs, Group E1, the agile Fiat 500 twin-cylinders, and four categories of historic cars. This variety turns the Popoli climb into a living museum of motoring, captivating both technical experts and the families who line the roadside.

A local heritage

More than just a competition, the Svolte di Popoli Hill Climb is deeply rooted in the identity of this Abruzzo town, also known for its thermal baths and the Cantelmo Ducal Castle. During race days, Popoli Terme transforms into the "city of engines," with technical and sporting checks, bustling paddocks, and thousands of spectators arriving to witness the thrilling race against the clock through the Apennine hairpins.