Christian Merli testing at the Salita del Costo

This coming Sunday will see the 31st Salita del Costo near Vicenza in northeastern Italy, contested in a single race run on the 9.910 km track, with ten hairpin bends, from Cogollo del Cengio to Bramonte. It is the second round of the Italian hill climb championship CIVM (northern zone). Last year this race did not take place. In 2022 it was the champion from Trentino who won.

Number 1
The last one to take the start, sporting the number 1, will be Christian Merli with his Avon-shod Osella FA 30 Judd LRM. The 2023 European champion has just finished rebuilding the car following his accident in Spain.

Installation lap
“After some hard work that kept us busy for weeks, this race will be a test to prepare for the first round of the European championship in Austria on 28 April. I just want to make sure that the electronics and mechanics all work correctly.”

The Salita del Costo weekend
“Two official practice runs and only one race run on a 9.910 km long medium-fast track.”

Translation by Ruth Scheithauer