MotoGP has wrapped; World RX has boosted to the final flag of 2016; and the smoke has cleared from this year’s drift season. Does that mean we’re taking our foot off the gas, and slowing down for the holidays? Not a chance.
The 37th annual Monza Rally Show threw open its gates this weekend, hosting its trademark end-of-season celebration of horsepower and head-to-head racing on the legendary blacktop of the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza. The yearly show brings together an eclectic mix of drivers and riders, all testing their mettle on a custom rally-stage course; which takes in sections of the modern F1 circuit, as well as the historic bankings of the famous Italian venue.
While for many the event is seen as a sort of end of season party, the casual atmosphere in the paddock quickly turns fierce on track, as the competition for the coveted winning silverware rapidly amps up.
Monza Rally Show is also the firm favorite, and end-of-season closer for MotoGP GOAT Valentino Rossi. The nine-time World Champion delighted his legions of fans by locking down a double victory in the twisting rally stage competition, as well as the headlining Monster Energy Masters Show. Driving an M-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta Rally car, VR46 switched up from two wheels to four in flawless style, beating WRC hotshoe Daniel Sordo and Endurance racer Marco Bonanomi by a stunning 18.4 second margin.
Not just that, but the result sees Rossi further write his name into the Monza record books, with this being his fifth victory at the event, alongside co-driver Carlo Cassina. He was also joined in the pit box by great friends Davide Brivio and Alessio Salucci who finished 5th and 9th respectively.
If that wasn’t enough for the fans, drift racer Steve “Baggsy” Biagioni and US-based off-road heavy hitter Casey Currie brought the noise with edge of the seat V8 powered demos. Currie in particular shipped his custom-built 600bhp Pro Lite Stadium truck over to Italy, especially from the west coast of the USA, to shred the tread on the whopping 32-inch truck tyres.
Check out the inside line on the super-special Monza weekender below, and also peep the selection of exclusive imagery. Full results are available, here. and don’t forget to also head over to the Monster Energy Facebook page, to watch our video wrap up of 2016 #MonzaRallyShow.