From April 24 to 26, 2026, the streets and winding roads of Poreč once again became the center of rally action as the 27th edition of Rally Poreč delivered a weekend of tight battles, shifting conditions, and strong international competition. The event, counting towards multiple championships including the CEZ, Croatian Championship, and Mitropa Rally Cup, confirmed its status as one of the standout stops on the regional calendar.
A total of 67 crews from seven countries took to the start, with 19 entries in the top Rally2 class setting the tone for a highly competitive field. The 508-kilometer itinerary, including 110 kilometers of special stages, pushed drivers across narrow, technical Istrian asphalt, where precision mattered as much as outright speed. Stages such as Žbandaj, Tar, and Kanfanar once again proved decisive, combining fast sections with unforgiving corners.
At the front, the fight for overall victory remained open until the final stages. In the end, it was Matteo Bernini, alongside co-driver Lorenzo Mattucci in a Škoda Fabia Rally2, who secured a well-earned win with a time of 55:48.8. Defending champions Rok Turk and Blanka Kacin finished second in their Hyundai i20, while Marko Grossi and Tara Berlot rounded out the podium in a Citroën C3 Rally2.
In the Mitropa Rally Cup classification, Manuel Koessler and Benedikt Hofmann claimed victory with a commanding performance, underscoring the depth of international talent across the field.
Beyond the front-runners, the rally also highlighted emerging names. Lina Cukrov stood out as the only female driver in the competition, delivering a solid performance in a lower-powered Peugeot 106 and continuing to build her reputation as one of Croatia’s promising young talents.
Women in Focus
Women also played a visible role across the field, particularly among co-drivers in the overall top 10. Fanni Molnár finished 8th overall, followed by Melanie Kalinke in 9th and Tajana Vojvodić-Pinky in 10th.
Among the most prominent names throughout the rally were Blanka Kacin, competing at the front in a leading Rally2 crew, and Natascha Vrga as part of a strong international pairing. Selena Ziani was also frequently in the spotlight in the closely fought Rally4 class.
With its mix of demanding stages, unpredictable grip levels, and close competition across categories, Rally Poreč once again lived up to its reputation and continues to draw drivers and fans back to Istria year after year.
All photos by Ana Sardelić
