The history of this international event started in Parma in 1971 and organized by Parma Motorsport. From 2012 it is held at the South Garda Karting circuit of Lonato.
The most ancient karting race in the world is at the starting blocks, the Trofeo delle Industrie is ready to celebrate its 50th edition next October 7-9 at the South Garda Karting Circuit of Lonato with 285 drivers coming from 46 different countries: this is the new record.
What is the story of the race started in 1971 and that is about to run its 50th edition? This is what Umberto Pellegrini recalls. He devised the event that is still organized by his sons Tiziano, Donatella and Germano with Parma Motorsport.
Umberto Pellegrini’s memories: “When I started to manage the circuit of Parma, back in 1968, – Umberto Pellegrini recalls – Italy housed only a few important karting events and those couple of appointments were held one at the Pista d’Oro of Rome (the famous Champions Tournament) and the other at the Pista Rossa of Milan. From September to March there were no races. This is why talking with Sala from Birel, Grana from Iame and other constructors we came up with the idea to organize an event in Autumn at the circuit of Parma. This initiative started in 1971 with the support of the main kart constructors of the time, among which Birel, BM, Pcr, Parilla, Tony Kart, Dap, Tecno, Kalì-Kalì by Calogero Vanaria, and this was the reason why the event was called “Torneo delle Industrie” (Industries Trophy). It was a huge success since the beginning. All the main drivers have been competing in the “Trofeo delle Industrie”, a lot of which have moved shortly after to professional motor-racing and to Formula 1, as Patrese, Fabi, De Cesaris, De Angelis, Cheever, Gabbiani, Stohr, Barilla, Sospiri, Morbidelli, Colciago, Zanardi, e poi Capelli, Modena, Tarquini, Fisichella, Alonso, Kubica, Hamilton, etc.”
For a long time the “Trofeo delle Industrie” has been the jewel in the crown of the international karting and this round became so important that in the Seventies it was used by the companies to present their products for the following year. This was a particularly lived event and one that was awaited by the whole karting world. It was also blessed with a rich money-prize made available by the karting constructors that take part to it, back then as still happens today.
The Overall Title for all categories has always been awarded to the driver scoring the best overall result. The Overall Trophy was named after Commendatore Carlo Fabi who was a huge fan of motorsport. After his departure, his famous – due to the motorsport success – sons Teo and Corrado kept this tradition alive and the trophy is still named “Memorial Carlo Fabi” today.
The driver with the highest number of victories is Alessandro Piccini, who won it three times in a row in 1992, 1993 and 1994 in 125 International. Gianfranco Baroni also scored three wins in 1972, 1977 and 1980.
In 1998 Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton alternated at the victory of ICA Junior in the same year when Fernando Alonso won Formula A.
Edition 1999 of the Trofeo delle Industrie housed a good number of future F1 champions with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg competing in ICA, that were joined by Nico Hulkenberg and Sebastian Vettel in Junior and Robert Kubica in Formula A. Hamilton won the ICA Tournament while Vettel was third in Junior.
Among the protagonists of the Trofeo, four drivers went all the way to become Formula 1 World Champions: Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg.
Daniil Kvyat made his debut in Mini together with Antonio Giovinazzi in 2005, while Mini’s debut for Carlos Sainz Jr came in 2006. He ended third in the Trophy claiming fifth in final one ahead of Kvyat.
From 2012 the race relocated at the South Garda Karting circuit of Lonato. At the start in KF3 were also Nikita Mazepin and Lance Stroll, Lando Norris in KF2.
50th Trofeo delle Industrie
The 50th edition of this event will take place next October 7 – 9, 2022 at the South Garda Karting circuit of Lonato. This race set a new record of participations and will see the protagonists of international karting contesting categories MINI Gr.3, OKJ, KZ2, X30 Senior and X30 Junior among the fields of the most important teams.
The program of the 50th Trofeo delle Industrie:
Friday, October 7: 13:30 Qualifying practice; 15:40 Qualifying heats.
Saturday, October 8: 10:40 Qualifying heats.
Sunday, October 9: 10:30 Second chance races; 11:50 Prefinals; 14:30 Finals; 17:30 Prize Ceremony.
Parma, October 6, 2022
Press Office
Parma Motorsport