The fifth edition of the Fiat Panda rally in Villanovaforru was a success, which ended a few hours ago. The long-awaited event for car lovers and supporters, a symbol for many and a necessity for many, had been missing since 2019 in the town nestled among the gentle hills of Marmilla. There were 39 in competition. Numerous onlookers crowded the village to take a look at the cars coming from a good part of the island, from Campidano to Oristano, and even from Ogliastra.
The rules
There were no restrictions regarding the models or years of registration of the participating Pandas, which could be either old or new, with any type of traction or fuel. «The important thing was that it was a Panda, without discrimination based on the model or year of registration», underlined Chiara Pistis of the town's Youth Council.
The initiative was promoted by the Youth Council which, in the wake of past editions, proposed it again today 1 October 2023: «We are extremely happy for the success of the event. We felt the need to organize it again, given that it had not taken place since 2019", declared president Edoardo Pistis.
The initiative was initially born as a game in 2016, when many members of the Youth Council drove the famous small car, produced in over 8 million units all over the world over the course of 40 years of existence. Over time, the game transformed into a local tradition which then gradually attracted participants from all over the region: "the word spread and the owners of the super-utility car par excellence arrived from all areas of the island", he says Chiara Pistis.
The prices
During the meeting, six winners in as many categories were awarded. The prize for the Panda coming from the furthest location went to Simone Demuro from Loceri, in Ogliastra. Rachele Tiddia obtained the prize for the most accessorized Panda, while Luigi Bonamoneta received the prize for the most particular Panda. Claudio Palmieri, with over 499 thousand kilometers travelled, was awarded as the participant who traveled the furthest to reach the Villanovaforru meeting, exceeding the threshold of 500 thousand kilometers on the way. Finally, Michele Melis won the award for the most agile Panda, based on an obstacle course set up in the municipal sports field.
The meeting was characterized by the roar of the engines and with a noise worthy of a formula one race, the prize for the most "exhausted" Panda was awarded to Roberto Gramai, adding a touch of healthy irony to the whole day, which will conclude in Piazza Constitution with Tusa's DJ set.
The Villanovaforru Youth Council is, however, already projected towards the future: «Our thoughts are already towards the next edition of 2024; we can consider this initiative as an integral part of our identity."