Tucked away in the picturesque hills of central Italy is Magione – Autodromo dell’Umbria. Once every year, this small circuit transforms into a vibrant hub for car enthusiasts during the Tarox Magione Super Battle (MSB). 2024 marked its third consecutive edition, with participation doubling and competitors and spectators travelling from across Italy, Portugal, and the UK.

I had the honour of being invited by the Magione Super Battle’s organisers, Alessio C. and Alessio P., to witness the two days of festivities, from setup to the final pack-down. To say it was brilliant would be an understatement.

As mentioned in previous MSB coverage on Speedhunters, the event was inspired by Attack Tsukuba. After visiting the original Attack – formerly known as Battle Evome – Alessio C. was determined to bring a slice of Japanese time attack culture back to Italy. He even secured the blessings of Daisuke Aoki, the founder and CEO of Attack, to use the Attack logo in the event’s promotion.

Fast forward two years, and the Magione Super Battle has grown well beyond its grassroots origins. While motorsport runs deep in Italy, time attack in this format – particularly centred around Japanese vehicles and culture – is still a relatively new concept.

Saturday morning greeted us with patchy weather that slowly gave way to clearing skies. Undeterred, many MSB entrants made their way to Magione for the practice sessions. Autodromo dell’Umbria is a technical circuit similar to Tsukuba, with 11 turns and a 2.5km length (Tsukuba TC2000 has nine turns over 2.0km). This results in a tight battlefield where competitors aim for times in the low one-minute range.

While you might envision Italian car culture dominated by Fiats, Ferraris, and Alfa Romeos, there’s a fast-growing Japanese and grassroots Euro car scene. A Portuguese AE86, a UK RWB Porsche, and a handful of Lotus models were all in the lineup. However, one brand dominated the paddock and wasn’t what I expected: Honda.

S2000s and Civics were plentiful at the 2024 Magione Super Battle, showcasing how Hondas have become the go-to chassis for competitors seeking the most competitive and economical way to put down a respectable lap time. However, their story deserves dedicated coverage, so stay tuned for that.

As the ominous weather moved on, Sunday morning brought a stunning fog that blanketed Magione, setting the stage for a perfect day of racing.

MSB’s programme included three morning sessions for each category, followed by demo runs featuring notable Italian-built cars. The afternoon showcased the eagerly anticipated ‘Super Lap’ segment, where each car chased class-specific and overall unofficial lap records.

Several cars set personal bests, but none rivalled the staggering performance of a Honda K-swapped Lotus Exige, which left the rest of the paddock in its rearview mirror with a 1:16:088 lap. I was told that’s faster than a professionally driven Porsche GT3 RS under similar conditions.

As the event progressed, the crowds swelled, filling the facility. Talk shows and interviews shared the excitement of time attack experiences, and the pits were kept open for all to explore. The atmosphere echoed that of Attack Tsukuba, fostering a laid-back vibe without any negative competitive rivalry. Both Alessios noted the unprecedented attendance – a testament to the planning and passion invested in the MSB.

Amidst the sea of competing cars, a few stood out, drawing crowds to the pit wall while they ran their laps.

First up was Alby’s astonishing 26B-powered FD3S Mazda RX-7. When I received the invitation to cover the Magione Super Battle, I never imagined encountering a four-rotor in action, so it was a very welcome surprise. This meticulous build is relatively unsuspecting from the outside, but the RX-7 was impossible to ignore as it blasted down Autodromo dell’Umbria’s main straight.

Another crowd favourite was a bright yellow Celica. This is no ordinary Toyota, so I’m saving the details for a standalone spotlight.

As Sunday came to a close, a select group of cars took to the track for MSB’s traditional parade lap.

I seized the opportunity to hop into the back of a van, precariously dangling out of the boot to capture the final moments of a fantastic event.

With its growth trajectory, I do not doubt that the Magione Super Battle will soon rival Japanese Attack events in size. From the little details, like imported nobori flags, to the warm hospitality and sense of community, MSB represents the essence of grassroots motorsport passion. Under Alessio C. and Alessio P.’s guidance, it’s only going to get bigger and better from here.

Alec Pender
Instagram: noplansco