The 11th edition of Automotoracing, a motorsport exhibition held in the Northern Italian city of Turin, hosted a full-female exhibition race, won by rally specialist Silvia Rocchi.
A pleasant sign of the times, we'd say: the annual motorsport exhibition "Automotoracing", held for the 11th year in the northern Italian city of Torino, featured a full-female competition on its temporary 1km-long racetrack, as 8 rally drivers battled for the "Race of Champions"-like Lady Trophy title.
The world of Italian motorsport gathered at the historic Oval-Lingotto venue for a 3-days show that included rally exhibitions, stunts, drifting and supercars, in front of the many spectators that filled the stands. Organized in conjunction with Automotoretrò, a classic car historic exhibition that every year draws a large number of enthusiasts to the Italian capital of the automotive industry, the Automotoracing Lady Trophy competition took to the centre stage on Saturday and Sunday, with the 8 guest drivers battling on the twisting and technical track.
Among tight hairpins, chicanes and straights, Sara Micheletti, Silvia Rocchi, Patrizia Perosino, Silvia Franchini, Martina Iacampo, Aurora Coria, Monica Caramellino and Camilla Gallese competed in the time-attack races at the wheel of identical Peugeot 208 R2B cars.
At the end of the thrilling runs, it was Silvia Rocchi to emerge as the 2020 winner, defeating Martina Iacampo in a gripping finale.
Rocchi, an experienced rally co-driver in the driver's seat for the special occasion, masterfully won with a clean and consistent run, while Iacampo was ultimately caught off by a costly mistake in the final laps.
"It was three years since I wasn't in the driving seat and, being myself a rally co-driver, I honestly did not expect it either." - she told us after being handed the prestigious trophy.
"It's kind of a surprise, because my opponents were really competitive and I have to thank my boyfriend and team owner, my sponsors that allowed me to be here and win this race."
Despite the victory, the 31-year old Italian has no further plans for the rest of the 2020 racing season for the time being: "So far I don't have further plans. It's just a honor to be here and being able to celebrate this day." - she added.
Silvia also commented on the peculiarity of usually sitting on the right-hand side of a rally car, and on the vital importance of the co-driver role: "Yes, it's not easy to swap places. Being co-driver is always very challenging and demanding, just as much as driving. They are different roles, but both are vital in winning races".
In Silvia's words:
"There are many emotions and many words I'd like to say, but the most important ones are the special thanks to the people that made this happen. Thank you to my boyfriend Fabrizio Bianchi for his patience and professionalism in helping and supporting me, to his great family and mechanics that did a wonderful job.
Ph Credits: Bruno Gallizzi, Silvio Grosso