The MittelEuropean Race 2026 will celebrate ten years on May 21-24 – but it will also pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Friuli earthquake before rounding off the event with a concours in central Trieste.
It all begins in Trieste’s Piazza Unità d’Italia, before heading across the Friuli Venezia Giulia and into Slovenia. The 2026 edition’s theme is centred around the area’s 1976 earthquake, and as it heads into the centre of the Friuli region it passes through locations that have become associated with remembrance and reconstruction. The second stage passes through Venzone, where the cathedral was rebuilt stone by stone, then continues towards the Osoppo Fort, overlooking the Tagliamento River and reflecting a long historical background, before reaching Gemona del Friuli.
There are two different rallies. The Superclassic Regularity Rally, open to cars built between 1910 and 1979, takes place over three days, 600km, 100 time trials and six average speed trials. There’s also a partner event for modern supercars. Meanwhile, the Mitrax Tour Cup is for those who prefer to eschew the competitive action and soak up the culture of the region. Stop-offs include the Borgo Nonino, a farmhouse and distillery from the 19th century, the historic village of Valvasone on the Tagliamento River, Gemona del Friuli and the rolling hills and vineyards of the Collio.
Last year the Superclassic Regularity was won by Vincenzo Bertoli and Doriano Vavassori in a 1938 Fiat 508C, with second place going to Sergio Sisti and Anna Gualandi in a 1929 Lancia Lambda Spider and third to Daniel Erejemovich and Sofia Garcea in a 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1500C SS. The supercar section was won by Celestino and Oreste Sangiovanni in a Ferrari 812 GTS, followed by Giordano Mozzi and Stefania Biacca in a Ferrari 488 Spider.
The event finishes up back at Trieste’s Piazza Unità d’Italia for the Concorso d’Eleganza e Sportività Città di Trieste. Last year, judges such as Marco Makaus, Donald Osborne and Bernard Marreyt of the Belgian Historic Vehicle Federation awarded a 1925 Lancia Lambda IV Series Best in Show, while a 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Stradale received the Città di Trieste Award.
More details on the MittelEuropean race can be found here.
