SHERIDAN, WYOMING – Feb. 7, 2025 – Four Lancia legends from the Heritage Hub will star at the Rally Racing Meeting 2025, a high-octane event hosted in the halls of the Vicenza Expo Center and organized by two-time World Rally Champion Miki Biasion.
Rally Racing Meeting 2025
Everything is set for the fifth edition of the Rally Racing Meeting, the world’s biggest annual event dedicated to the world of motorsport, taking place from February 8th to 9th at the Vicenza Expo Center. This year’s event will feature a brand-new showcase of Lancia vehicles which have been in competition since 1920, including four rarely seen models which belong to Stellantis Heritage’s Heritage Hub: the 1974 Lancia Stratos HF “Alitalia”, the Lancia D50 F.1 (1954), the Lancia D25 (1954), and the Lancia ECV2 (1988). The bold Ypsilon Rally 4 HF, the powerful 280-hp Ypsilon HF, and the refined Ypsilon LX will also be on display at the Lancia stand.
A Celebration of Lancia’s Motorsport Heritage
The four classic Lancia models on display are part of the haloed Stellantis Heritage collection, the Group’s department which preserves, safeguards, and promotes the invaluable heritage of the Italian car brands. These models, normally on display at the Heritage Hub in Mirafiori, include the 1974 Lancia Stratos HF “Alitalia” (winner of the 1976 Rally de Portugal), the Lancia D50 F.1 (1954), the Lancia D25 (1954), and the Lancia ECV2 (1988). Visitors will also have the opportunity to see the brand’s most recent creations—the Ypsilon Rally 4 HF, the 280-hp Ypsilon HF, and the Ypsilon LX—demonstrating the connection between Lancia’s glorious past and its bright future, both on the road and on the track.
Miki Biasion’s Connection to Lancia
For the fine-tuning of the Ypsilon Rally 4 HF models and the 280-hp Ypsilon HF, Lancia looked to Miki Biasion, a motorsports legend who, between the 80s and 90s, became inextricably linked to the brand. Behind the wheel of the iconic Delta of the Martini Racing team, Biasion won the 1988 and 1989 World Championships, contributing to Lancia becoming the most successful brand ever with ten World Constructors’ Championships, three Constructors’ and Endurance World Championships, one 1000 Miglia, two Targa Florio, and one Carrera Panamericana.
Lancia Stratos Gr.4 Alitalia (1974)
The extraordinary Lancia Stratos Gr.4 Alitalia (1974) is a highlight of the showcase, having won the 1976 Rally de Portugal and placing second in the 1977 Monte Carlo Rally. Featuring a distinctive white-red-green Alitalia livery, the Stratos allowed Lancia to dominate the rally world in the mid-Seventies. This two-seater coupé, designed by Marcello Gandini for Bertone, featured a wedge-shaped body and a 2.4 liter six-cylinder engine originating from Ferrari, strategically placed behind the driver and co-driver. The Stratos achieved numerous victories, earning the moniker “ultimate weapon” of rally racing, including three consecutive Monte Carlo rallies and three World Rally Constructors Championship titles (from 1974 to 1976).
Lancia D50 F.1 (1954)
The D50 represents one of Lancia’s greatest sporting achievements. Designed by Vittorio Jano, this single-seater vehicle, equipped with a 2.5 liter, 90°-V8 engine, debuted in the 1954 Spanish Grand Prix. The D50 was notable for its exceptional finishing and low weight. The side petrol tanks contributed to improved drag and stability. Success followed in 1955 with drivers Alberto Ascari and Gigi Villoresi, including victories at the Naples and Valentino Grand Prix. The model on showcase is the one driven by Gigi Villoresi at the 1955 Valentino Grand Prix.
Lancia D 25 (1954)
Developed after the D 24’s success in the 1953 Carrera Panamericana, the D 25 was given a more powerful and durable engine. A six-cylinder engine with 3750 cm3 and 305 hp was selected. The D 25 also weighed less than the D24 and featured modifications to the frame and suspension. Three D 25s participated in the 1954 Tourist Trophy.
Lancia ECV2 (1988)
The Lancia ECV2 prototype, built in 1988, was an evolution of the Lancia Experimental Composite Vehicle (ECV). This car was designed to explore the use of new composite materials in rally car construction. Using carbon fiber panels and other advanced materials, the ECV2 achieved a significant weight reduction while maintaining torsional rigidity. Equipped with a 1759-cc 4-cylinder engine delivering up to 600 hp, the ECV2 reached a top speed of 220 km/h and accelerated from 0 to 200 km/h in just 9 seconds.