This is not an article about an event. It is an article about ‘best practices’ and an ‘event’, namely the 40th running of the resurrected Stella Alpina rally, held from September 5 to 7, 2025, organized by the Automotoclub Storico Italiano (ASI), the FIVA ANF in Italy.
With over seventy crews partaking, the rally serves as a celebration of the original event held between the 1947-1955. The route is such that it ensures true driving pleasure (as evidenced by the fact that 250 km. of the 400km. route takes place on mountain passes, 14 of them being on dolomitic passes). However, the rally is also a stellar example of ‘best practices’ especially as they pertain to sustainability, inclusivity and solidarity.
The combination of best practices and driving experience can be exemplified by a number of key highlights of the rally, in particular the launch of the FIVA-ASI “Four Wheel Green Dream Team”. Originating out of the May 2025 FIVA World Motorcycle Rally in Italy, where FIVA and ASI, jointly debuted the “two wheel” “Green Dream Team,” the original team is composed of two veteran ASI motorcycle riders, Sergio Pellandini and Stefano Zuban, joined by a third member, Iranian female motorcyclist, instructor, and animal rights activist Maryam Talaee (who is also an associate member of the FIVA Motorcycle Commission and FIVA Envoy). The team, supervised under the watchful eye of ASI Green Commission President Francesco Di Lauro, rode vintage biofuel-powered motorcycles to promote sustainability.
ASI Green Commission President Francesco Di Lauro and Maryam Talaee of the FIVA -ASI Green Dream Team
The success of this project inspired the idea of not only launching a permanent “Green Dream Team” program, serving to promote sustainable historic motoring on two wheels, but also a four wheel ‘Green Team’ to create awareness for automobiles as well. As a result, the Stella Alpina Rally served as the platform for the launch of the ‘Four Wheel Green Dream Team’ with Maryam Talaee piloting a 1972 Porsche 911S with FIVA Communication partner Alizee Glavieux in the navigator seat. All of these activities are derived from the ASI Net-zero Classic program, which serves to promote the use of bio-fuel on historic vehicles. Accordingly, the “Green Dream Team” Porsche was powered by this special alternative gasoline made with the use of biological carbon instead of fossil fuels proving once again that historical vehicles can indeed co-exist successfully with the environment.
Maryam Talaee and navigator Alizee Glavieux
Complementing these steps was the cooperation between the Provincial Paralympic Committee of Trento and ASI. Two handicapped drivers partook in the rally (including the Paralympic athlete Gabriele Dallapiccola, wheelchair curling champion) with specially modified cars, namely a Lancia Fulvia Monte Carlo and Alfa Romeo Duetto. The two cars, modified by the ASI Classica & Accessibile project, were converted for the use manual controls, including a unique clutch that can be operated by pressing a button on the stick shift lever. The throttle and brakes were also mounted on the steering wheel. Complementing these steps, the trunks of the cars were modified to carry lightweight wheelchairs, with hooks and special mountings installed to prevent the wheelchairs from sliding around during the rally.
The specially modified Lancia Fulvia Monte Carlo
The Stella Alpina 2025 also supported the local charity Rencureme Onlus, which, in the territories of Fiemme and Fassa, addresses issues related to cognitive decline in a region that is particularly affected by the aging of the population. Thanks to the participation of ASI Partners, it was possible to organize a charity auction to raise funds for the aforementioned association.
All of these steps are an exemplification as to how “best practices” can indeed be combined with driving pleasure, especially, as the rally, on the first leg, set out from Trento to Mount Bondone, paying homage to the legendary Trento-Bondone uphill time trial, which in 2025 celebrated its centenary. According to Francesco Di Lauro, it is the “university of hill climbing “as evidenced by a 17 km. long route which, after the passing of a century, is still viewed by many as the most spectacular hill climb event in Italy.
From Monte Bondone, the rally continued towards Garniga, Aldeno, the Vigolana Plateau and Levico Terme. After a short stop, the rally set off again towards Valsugana and then tackled the Manghen Pass, crossed Predazzo and concluded the first stage in Moena ending a day highlighted by 150 kilometres of curves, hairpin bends and breathtaking views.
The second day of the rally started from the city of Moena, then returned to Predazzo to continue on the Valles Pass, reaching Agordo, the Duran Pass, Dont, the Staulanza Pass, Selva di Cadore, the Falzarego Pass, the Valparola Pass, Corvara and finally arriving at Colfosco. Once again following a break, the rally continued with the cars climbing the Gardena, Sella, Fedaia and San Pellegrino Passes. In the towns of Canazei and Alleghe the rally greeted the public and then winding up the last leg of the rally by returning to Moena after completing a route of 250km.
The third day of the event was highlighted by a prize giving ceremony followed by a buffet lunch at the Teatro Navalge theater in Moena. A highlight was the display of all the rally cars lined up in front of the theater in a dazzling display of automotive history. This was further accentuated by the fact that classification of the vehicles of the rally had been divided into two unique categories. The first category, “Legend”, which encompassed cars built up to 1955, showcased a fantastic grouping of vehicles ranging from a 1929 Bugatti T40 to a Jaguar XK 120. The second category named “Celebration”, was dedicated for cars built up to 1975 and was highlighted by a number of grand tourers ranging from a Lancia Flaminia GT Touring to a Ferrari Dino. However, if there was one car which brought back much nostalgia to many it was the RAI Radio Televisione Italiana FIAT 1500. This vehicle had originally been modified for use to cover the great bicycle road races such as Giro d’Italia in the 1960’s. Nick named L’ Ammiraglia (‘The Flagship’) it still maintains its originality and remains equipped with a large hatch in the roof for a cameraman; a big radio transmitter and, unbelievably, a large handle enabling an interviewer to literally hang on for dear life while interviewing riders in the midst of a race.
The RAI Television and Radio L’ Ammiraglia (‘The Flagship’) being filled up with bio-fuel
ASI will be back with another edition of the Stella Alpina from the 11th to the 13th of September, 2026. We look forward to witnessing further combinations of best practices with pure driving pleasure.
