Two days with the Italian championship off-road vehicle at the Interporto Centro Ingrosso in Pordenone. Race track on the splendid dirt roads of the Pedemontana close to the stream
Pordenone, 15 March 2024_ Fourth year of Artugna Race, 14th Italian Baja di Primavera. Between today and tomorrow at the Interporto Centro Ingrosso of Pordenone the curtain will rise on the Italian Cross Country Baja and SSV Championship and the city will rediscover itself as the national off-road capital. A record that extends to the territory, considering that the spring race takes place in the valley between Aviano, Budoia, Fontanafredda and Polcenigo, while the international challenge at the beginning of the summer will take place in the areas crossed by Meduna, Cosa and Tagliamento.
PLAN. This afternoon at the Interporto the distribution of materials to the competitors (1.30pm - 6.00pm) while the technical checks of the vehicles will take place at Tavella Professional from 2.00pm to 6.30pm. This was followed by the press conference of the drivers and codrivers and immediately after the briefing of the crews with the race director. Tomorrow the race will be divided into four sections on the same selective track of 27 km and 470 metres. First sector that will count as a power stage and will therefore give additional points in the ranking. But above all it is entitled "Giulia Maroni", a heartfelt tribute to the recently deceased navigator from Bologna, protagonist of numerous competitions of the Fuoristrada Club 4x4 Pordenone. The other three sectors will have the ritual name of "Artugna", with starts from Aviano, via del Menegoz, at 9:00, 10:30, 13:00, 14:30. Arrival in the industrial area of San Giovanni di Polcenigo.
TRACK. The race route is made up of small farm roads with compact dirt surfaces, some crossings of the bed of the Artugna "dry stream" and small asphalted roads. Police forces and route marshals will obviously be stationed at the junction points for the necessary safety measures.
BIG CCB. A close competition is expected between the most accredited Baja cross country drivers. In contention are Alfio Bordonaro, reigning double champion, and Lorenzo Codecà, eleven championships to his name (both Suzuki Grand Vitara), as well as the winners of the 2021 Artugna, Sergio Galletti (Suzuki), 2022 Andrea Alfano (Oscar Osc01), 2023 Manuele Mengozzi (Toyota Hilux), and Elvis Borsoi (Mini All4 Racing), the only one to boast a Ccb (2017) and an Ssv (2021) championship.
BIG SSV. Not many light tubular riders have signed up. The reigning champion Amerigo Ventura, involved in the world championship calendar, was justifiably absent, leaving room above all for the ambitions of Federico Buttò and Andrea Castagnera (both on Brp Can Am Maverick), without neglecting Alessandro Bonetto (Yamaha Yxz1000R) and Alessandro Tinaburri (South Racing Can Am).
RALLY NEWS. The R5/N5 cars admitted to racing off-road with the appropriate adaptations will start in front. Entertainment guaranteed by the Pordenone talents of Andrea De Luna, Alberto Carniello and Alessandro Prosdocimo, all on Skoda Fabia. The only N5 is the Volkswagen Polo of Roberto Camporese from Padova.
Italian Baja Press Office
ph C.Capone
