Maggiora Rallycross
Location
Maggiora, Province of Novara, Piedmont, Italy
Current Local Time
Track Info
Maggiora Rallycross - Maggiora, Piedmont, Italy
Historic mixed-surface circuit in northern Italy - normally clockwise - compact, technical and widely regarded as the home of Italian rallycross
When was the track built?
Maggiora's off-road racing history stretches back far beyond rallycross. The Pragiarolo venue was established in 1971 and became one of Italy's most important autocross circuits, regularly attracting national and international competition.
Sport Club Maggiora later redeveloped the facility for rallycross, adding substantial asphalt sections to the existing loose-surface course. The rebuilt circuit was officially inaugurated on 28 March 2015.
When was its first rallycross race?
The first competitive weekend on the new rallycross circuit took place over 4-6 April 2015 as the opening round of the Trofeo Rallycross Maggiora.
The new championship helped establish rallycross nationally in Italy. The official Italian Rallycross Championship followed in 2016, with Sport Club Maggiora eventually becoming its promoter.
What's the circuit like?
- Constant surface changes: Almost half the circuit is loose dirt. Cars move between asphalt and gravel repeatedly, so grip can change dramatically in only a few metres.
- Compact and technical: At barely more than one kilometre, there is little time to recover from a mistake. Traffic is almost always nearby and races quickly become close battles.
- Large elevation changes: The track climbs and falls through the natural hillside, giving drivers blind approaches and making Maggiora more three-dimensional than many compact rallycross circuits.
The circuit is around 12 metres wide at its FIA reference point, while other areas can be wider. The Joker Lap adds distance and creates an important strategic decision because every driver must use the alternative route during a rallycross race.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Reverse outright record: 0:42.330 - Gigi Galli, Kia Rio RX, 2019.
- Previous Reverse Supercar benchmark: 0:44.037 - Gigi Galli, Kia Rio RX, 2019.
- Classic-layout Kart Cross benchmark: 0:42.868 - Maicol Giacomotti, 2023.
- Classic-layout RX5 benchmark: 0:42.970 - Simone Romagna, Skoda Fabia Evo R5, 2023.
- Classic-layout Kart Cross record in practice: 0:42.992 - Marcello Gallo, 2020.
Rallycross lap times are difficult to compare directly. Classic and Reverse layouts run in opposite directions, Joker Laps are longer, opening laps begin from a standing start and the dirt surface changes with weather and repeated use.
Why is Maggiora famous?
Maggiora is closely connected with the development of Italian off-road motorsport. Its autocross history stretches back more than half a century, while the modern venue played a major role in establishing a national rallycross championship.
The circuit has hosted the FIA Central European Zone Rallycross Championship and Rallycross Challenge Europe as well as years of Italian championship competition. Former World Rally Championship driver Gigi Galli also became Italian rallycross champion here in 2019.
What is Maggiora Reverse?
For most of its history the circuit has been raced clockwise. In 2018, organisers experimented with sending the cars anti-clockwise for the first time in more than three decades.
The idea proved successful and Maggiora Reverse became a regular feature of the Italian championship. Simply changing direction creates different braking zones, jumps and corner approaches, making the familiar circuit feel surprisingly different.
What's the circuit used for today?
Maggiora remains an active off-road motorsport complex and currently carries an FIA Grade 6R rallycross licence. It also has a separate FIA-licensed autocross course and regularly hosts the FIA European Autocross Championship.
The Italian Rallycross Championship itself took a break in 2026 because of organisational and cost pressures, but the venue has continued to hold off-road events, testing and community activities.
Why go?
Maggiora is an excellent place to understand rallycross because almost everything happens within a compact natural arena. Cars accelerate, slide, jump and fight side-by-side while spectators can follow much more of the race than at a conventional long circuit.
Its combination of rallycross and historic autocross also gives the venue a distinctive atmosphere, particularly during major international off-road weekends.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Elevated spectator banks: The best choice for newcomers because the hillside gives views across several different sections of the compact circuit.
- First-corner area: Where spectator access allows, this is ideal for the explosive starts that define rallycross, with several cars arriving together and fighting for position.
- Dirt sections: Best for watching cars slide, throw up dust and search for traction as they transition away from the asphalt.
Maggiora can operate in both Classic and Reverse configurations, so braking zones and the best spectator positions change with the direction used for each event.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Maggiora Rallycross (Piedmont)
Maggiora Offroad Arena is in the hills of northern Piedmont, around an hour from Milan. Driving is the easiest option; without a car, travel to Borgomanero and complete the final journey by bus or taxi.
Best way to get there
For most visitors, driving is the easiest way to reach Maggiora Offroad Arena. The venue is surrounded by countryside and woodland, so having your own vehicle makes both arrival and the journey home much easier.
If you are staying in Milan without a car, travelling by train towards Borgomanero and arranging the final road connection is the most practical alternative.
Tip: The venue may appear as Maggiora Offroad Arena, Autodromo Pragiarolo or Maggiora Rallycross on maps and event information.
Driving & parking
- From Milan: travel northwest towards the A26 motorway and continue towards the Borgomanero and Maggiora area.
- A26 access: Borgomanero and Romagnano Sesia are useful motorway exits for reaching Maggiora.
- Final approach: follow local signs towards Maggiora and Pragiarolo before continuing to Via Fornaci.
- Parking: major events normally provide parking, but the correct area may depend on your ticket or event.
- Busy weekends: follow temporary signs and marshals once you get close to the venue.
Train & public transport
There is no railway station directly at Maggiora Offroad Arena. Borgomanero is the most useful nearby rail and bus connection.
- Borgomanero: arrive by train and continue towards Maggiora by bus or taxi.
- Local bus: route 006 connects Borgomanero with Maggiora and Romagnano Sesia.
- Final journey: depending on your stop and event entrance, you may still need to walk or arrange a short taxi transfer.
- Check the return: rural buses are much less frequent than public transport in Milan.
Taxi & private transfers
- From Borgomanero: a taxi is the simplest final connection if bus times do not suit your event.
- From Malpensa: a rental car or private transfer is much quicker than making several public transport connections.
- Return journey: pre-book your pickup if you are not driving, particularly after smaller events.
Malpensa airport
- Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP): the closest major international airport.
- Airport → Maggiora: roughly 37 km by road and around 40–45 minutes in clear conditions.
- Easiest option: rental car, taxi or private transfer.
- Without a car: public transport is possible, but requires several connections and takes considerably longer.
Event-day tips
- Wear suitable shoes: rallycross and off-road events include grass, gravel and uneven spectator areas.
- Prepare for dust or mud: conditions around the venue can change significantly with the weather.
- Check parking: Maggiora hosts rallycross, autocross, 4x4 and other events, so access arrangements are not always identical.
- Bring essentials: carry water, sun protection and rain gear for a full outdoor day.
- Check your event: opening times, admission and spectator areas vary depending on what is taking place.
Accessibility
If you require accessible parking, step-free access or assistance at Maggiora Offroad Arena, contact the organiser before travelling. Natural terrain and temporary spectator areas mean the easiest access route can differ between events.
Train and bus services, parking, entrances and spectator arrangements can change. Check the official Maggiora Offroad Arena information for your specific event shortly before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Maggiora Rallycross (Piedmont, Italy)
Maggiora Offroad Arena sits among the wooded hills of northern Piedmont, between Lake Orta and the vineyards of the Novara area. Best known as one of Italy’s traditional rallycross and autocross venues, it makes an unusual base for a trip combining noisy short-format racing with lakeside villages, mountain walks and excellent regional food.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Orta San Giulio: Walk through narrow streets beside Lake Orta, stop for gelato and take a short boat ride to tiny Isola San Giulio in the middle of the lake.
- Safari Park Pombia: A larger family day out south-east of Maggiora, combining animal areas with additional attractions and seasonal activities.
- Lake Orta: Beaches, boat services and relaxed waterfront towns make the lake an easy alternative for family members who have had enough of engines and dust.
Culture & history stops
- Sacro Monte di Orta: Walk through a wooded hillside complex of 20 chapels above Orta San Giulio. It forms part of the UNESCO-listed Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy.
- Santuario di Boca: Just a few kilometres from Maggiora, this striking sanctuary rises among vineyards and woodland and makes an easy short sightseeing stop.
- Novara: Explore the provincial capital and look for the enormous dome of the Basilica of San Gaudenzio, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
Eat & drink like a local
- Paniscia: Novara’s traditional rice dish combines locally grown rice with beans, vegetables and other rich ingredients. It is ideal if you want something distinctly regional.
- Gorgonzola: Northern Piedmont is closely associated with this famous blue cheese, which appears in everything from simple cheese boards to risotto and sauces.
- Boca & Ghemme wine: The hills surrounding Maggiora produce notable Nebbiolo-based red wines. Book tastings in advance and use a designated driver.
Get outdoors around the Novara hills
- Monte Fenera Natural Park: Head north for forest walks, limestone scenery and a landscape known for caves and archaeological traces.
- Lake Orta: Walking, cycling and water activities provide a slower-paced day outdoors with Alpine foothills surrounding the lake.
- Vineyard roads: The countryside around Boca, Ghemme and Maggiora is particularly pleasant for relaxed drives and walks through the Alto Piemonte wine hills.
Easy trips if you’re extending your stay
- Lake Maggiore: Continue east towards Arona or north towards Stresa for bigger lake resorts, boat trips and views towards the Alps.
- Orta San Giulio: If you only visited briefly during the race weekend, return for a full day combining the village, island and Sacro Monte.
- Novara: Spend half a day exploring the historic centre before trying paniscia and other local specialities in the city.
Good to know on event weekends
- Rallycross and autocross are different: Rallycross uses a mixture of asphalt and gravel, while autocross competition at Maggiora takes place primarily on loose surface and includes powerful racing buggies.
- Check the 2026 programme carefully: An Italian Rallycross Championship round is not currently listed at Maggiora for 2026, although the rallycross course remains in use for activities and special events.
- European Autocross is the big 2026 race: Maggiora is scheduled to host the FIA European Autocross Championship on 11 - 13 September.
- Expect dust or mud: Off-road racing can change dramatically with the weather, so closed shoes, sun protection and a waterproof layer are all sensible spectator equipment.
Motorsport schedules, track configurations, spectator access, boat services, winery visits and attraction opening hours can change - check current information before you travel.