The event organized by the Automobile Club Sassari will take place on April 24th and 25th. Porto Cervo is confirmed as the venue for the event which, in addition to the continental series, will be valid for the Italian Historic and Classic Car Championships. The leading contenders of the Italian Regularity Rally Championship are also expected.
Porto Cervo, January 19, 2026 – The 9th Rally Costa Smeralda Storico – Trofeo Martini is preparing to write a new chapter in its history. On April 24th and 25th, 2026, the race will effectively return to European validity, thanks to its entry into the new Pre-1992 European Historic Rally Championship, bringing the event back to the continental circuit after a 23-year absence. Alongside the FIA title, the race will maintain its validity for the Italian Historic Rally Championship (CIRAS), confirming itself as one of the most important and anticipated rounds on the national and international scene.
This result represents the natural evolution of the project launched by Automobile Club Sassari in 2018, when it was decided to restore the Costa Smeralda Storico to the reference role it had conquered during its golden years. Born in 1978, the Rally Costa Smeralda has hosted some of the main protagonists in rally history, becoming a symbol of Mediterranean motorsport. The rebirth of the historic version in 2018 allowed for the reactivation of a deep bond between the territory, sporting passion, and rally memory, a path that today reaches a milestone of enormous prestige.
The President of the Automobile Club Sassari emphasizes how the return to European validity is «the fruit of years of work, investment, and strategic vision». A result that, he adds, «belongs to the entire community that supports the event and believes in rallying as an element of culture and development».
For 2026, the route, still being defined, will cover approximately 150 timed kilometers, entirely on asphalt, respecting the characteristics required by the European Championship. It will be a selective track, consistent with the style and tradition of the Costa Smeralda, capable of enhancing the cars starring in the top FIA series dedicated to historic cars. Alongside the main race, the two variations of the Regularity Rally will be confirmed, in the Average 50 and Average 60 formulas, an opportunity for enthusiasts to experience the spirit of rallying with a more measured but no less engaging approach. The day of April 25th will conclude with the prize-giving ceremony, celebrating the winners of the 2026 edition of the Rally Costa Smeralda Storico – Trofeo Martini.
While awaiting the signing of specific agreements with the event’s consolidated logistics partners, dates and routes useful for reaching the island from all over Europe have already been published on the website, while the launch of hospitality packages and related discounts will follow shortly.
The Automobile Club Sassari wishes to express deep and heartfelt thanks to the institutions, whose sensitivity and collaboration make it possible to hold the rally in conditions of excellence. The Region of Sardinia confirms once again its attention to events of cultural and sporting value, recognizing the Costa Smeralda Storico’s important role in promoting the island. The Municipalities of Olbia, Arzachena, Aglientu, Telti, Monti, Alà dei Sardi, Santa Teresa di Gallura, and Tempio Pausania have actively participated in building the event, making available the territory, energy, and hospitality necessary to host crews and enthusiasts from all over Europe. A contribution that stands as a sign of authentic sharing of the rally spirit and the bond it maintains with the history and identity of Gallura.
Equally warm thanks go to the partners who accompany the growth of the event with conviction. Smeralda Holding continues to believe in the value of the rally as an element of territorial promotion. Sparco, synonymous with safety and innovation in motorsport, represents an essential reference. Martini, a legendary brand and integral part of world rally history, is prestigious in its role as title partner of the event. Cerasarda brings the excellence of Sardinian design to the rally. Pirelli, a protagonist of competitions at an international level, supports the development of the event with technical competence. Testoni Srl, a company close to the territory, contributes concretely and constantly to the realization of the race. Finally, Kimera, the futuristic project led by Luca Betti, which has repeatedly tackled the Smeralda special stages with the iconic EVO37. The support of the partners has been decisive in reaching the new European milestone and represents an essential component of the project’s continuity and growth.
Regulations, operational details, timetables, and the route map will be made available progressively through the event’s official channels.
