A total of 18 small "racecars" challenged each other in the smart EQ fortwo e-cup. This was part of the Milano Rally Show, which was launched last year to bring the passion for cars to the most picturesque streets of Lombardy's main city. On 28 and 29 July the event included electric mobility for the first time, with the participation of the Mercedes brand for e-city cars.
The idea for the smart EQ fortwo e-cup was presented in Rome on 14 April, on the occasion of the Formula E premiere in Italy. The first round of the cup took place at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in June, while the Milan event produced a novelty for motor sports. For the first time a one-make championship for 100% electric cars formed part of a rally.
Enel X, which is the trophy’s partner, also played a starring role: the technology provided by our energy services division made it possible to charge the 18 Mercedes vehicles during the race in just over 3 hours. This enabled the teams to count on maximum performance in the long and demanding weekend schedule.
The two-day event opened with a parade of historic rally cars, including the legendary Lancia Delta Integrale, which was world champion from 1988 to 1993. The vehicles made their way from the Expo Area to some of Milan’s most famous locations: Piazza del Duomo (the cathedral), Piazza della Scala (the opera house) and Via Montenapoleone (the luxury fashion street).
The teams competing in the smart EQ fortwo e-cup took part in eight of the Milano Rally Show’s nine special stages (i.e. the timed stages included in a rally race). Three city circuits provided the setting for the challenges involving the zero-emission city cars: the Vigorelli Velodrome (in the City Life Area), "IL CENTRO" in Arese and the Park Experience Area Expo.
The LPD team with Giuseppe Bodega and Marco Panzavuota won, followed by Alberto Lembo and Antonio Massimiliano d'Amico, and Piergiorgio Capra and Sofia Cardarelli. In the Women's class, the first prize went to Rachele Somaschini, who was fourth in the general standing. In the Junior class the winner was Silvia Simoni (Merfina), the only underage driver on the track after Gianalberto Coldani had to quit the scene in the first special stage of the weekend. In addition to finishing second in the overall standings, Alberto Lembo also won the prize in the Senior class.
The next appointment of the smart EQ fortwo e-cup is on Saturday, 15 September, and Sunday, 16 September, at the Vallelunga circuit, just outside Rome, for the third of the trophy’s five stages. Here the small zero-emission cars will be back on the track to offer spectators another beautiful and exciting sporting contest. All naturally electric.