History 1970s

1976 Rallye Elba (Italy)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1976 Rallye Elba

Date: April 8–9, 1976

Host Country: Italy

Surface: Asphalt

Total Distance: ~300 km (competitive stages)

Total Starters: Approx. 60 crews

Total Finishers: N/A

Held on the island of Elba off the coast of Tuscany, the 1976 Rallye Elba presented crews with a technical mix of hairpin-laden mountain roads and coastal cliffside sprints. Maurizio Verini, partnered with co-driver Nini Russo, used the responsive Fiat 131 Abarth to full effect, capturing a stylish win in one of Italy’s most scenic—and demanding—tarmac rallies.

Route

Monte Perone: Winding climbs with rapid direction changes and minimal runoff.
Portoferraio to Marina di Campo: Fast cliffside straights with cambered corners and rock-lined edges.
Capoliveri Sector: Narrow village streets where crowd proximity and tight apexes demanded focus.

The rally snaked across the hilly terrain of Elba, with tight tarmac loops and constant elevation shifts testing driver endurance and mechanical grip.

Spring conditions offered mostly dry roads, though early morning moisture lingered in shaded mountain sections, adding unpredictability to braking zones.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Maurizio Verini & Angiolina “Nini” Russo · Fiat 131 Abarth
2nd Place
Adartico Vudafieri & Tiziano Siviero · Lancia Stratos HF
3rd Place
Federico Ormezzano & Pier Giorgio Carraro · Opel Kadett GT/E

Verini and Russo’s chemistry and pace were unmatched across the island’s twisty stages, earning them a clear win over the powerful but less nimble Stratos entries.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Hairpin Management: Drivers had to precisely rotate through repeated low-speed corners without overheating tires or brakes.
  • Limited Visibility: Early morning fog and low sunlight through forested stretches challenged crew coordination.
  • Tight Margins: Rock walls, sea drops, and narrow bridges left no room for steering corrections or pacing errors.

The 1976 Rallye Elba offered a picturesque yet punishing tarmac test—and Verini’s calm execution made the Fiat 131 Abarth the standout machine of the event.

← Previous Event 1976 Rallye Internazionale di Sicilia – Targa Florio (Italy)
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