Winter Fairy Tale – 15th Rally Show Santa Domenica 2025

Another exciting and unforgettable edition of the Rally Show Santa Domenica took place this weekend — a weekend many experienced as something straight out of a fairy tale. Simon Wagner confirmed his status and claimed victory at the 15th Rally Show Santa Domenica. This was his fourth win on the gravel roads of Savrščak, a true confirmation of his dominance and driving mastery.

Friday, 21 November 2025, marked the beginning of another edition of the iconic Rally Show Santa Domenica, and the 15th birthday of this unique rally spectacle was celebrated in a true winter, almost cinematic atmosphere. Although the rain fell relentlessly, the main square in Sveta Nedelja was bursting with excitement, transforming into a stage on which a new page of the RSSD legend was being written.

Ceremonial start – fireworks, emotions and 159 crews

The racing weekend began with the ceremonial start, which once again attracted a large number of spectators. The sky above Sveta Nedelja was lit up by a fantastic fireworks display, magically reflecting on the wet ground and creating the atmosphere of a true winter festival of speed. One after another, 159 crews crossed the starting ramp, greeting the crowd while the traditional fiery backdrop illuminated their silhouettes. Each crew carried its own story, its own ambitions — and together they stepped into the fairy tale that was only just beginning.

Saturday, 22 November 2025 – snow transformed Savrščak into a winter stage

The first real racing challenge of the day came at 10:30, when the Shakedown began. Drivers had the opportunity to test their cars and prepare for the night stages. The fastest was the young Italian driver, 18-year-old Giovanni Trentin, in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. The winter conditions were no obstacle for him — on the contrary, he seemed to enjoy every corner.

If Friday was the announcement, Saturday brought the real fairy tale. Snow fell throughout the day, turning Savrščak into a winter wonderland: trees wrapped in a blanket of white powder, the scents of mud and snow mixing in the winter air, and above all — the roar of engines cutting through the silence. The racing spectacle gained a special, almost magical touch.

Savrščak by Night – a snowy night and the flash of headlights

As darkness fell, the most special scene of the day arrived. Savrščak by Night 1 and 2, held from 17:00 onwards, took place in a breathtaking atmosphere: night, snowflakes falling into the light of the headlights, a large crowd wrapped in winter jackets, and fireworks adding a fairy-tale glow.

Giovanni Trentin continued at the same pace he had shown during the Shakedown. Fastest on both night special stages, the young driver ended Saturday in the lead, confirming his ambition to win the 15th RSSD.

The top of Saturday’s standings – family and sporting drama

Second place on Saturday went to Austrian driver Simon Wagner in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2, just 3.5 seconds behind — close enough to promise a dramatic fight down to the final kilometre. Third place went to none other than Giovanni’s father, Mauro Trentin, also in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. It was the kind of rally family story that only Santa Domenica can write.

The TOP 5 also included Julian Wagner, Simon Wagner’s brother, with co-driver Hanna Ostlender in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2. The Hungarian crew Ádám Velenczei – Patrik Szilágyi finished the day in fifth place in a Fabia RS Rally2. The Wagner family side by side with the Trentin family, snow and floodlights, the cheering of the crowd — it was a scene that will be remembered for a long time.

Sunday showdown – a duel between two rally families in the final act of the 15th RSSD

Sunday, 23 November, dawned with a foggy morning, as if made for the final act of the winter fairy tale at Savrščak. Fog over the stage, snow crystals along the edges and just a few early rays of sunshine set the scene for the continuation of the duel — the Wagner family against the Trentin family.

First stages – Wagner attacks, Trentin chases

On the first Sunday special stage, Savrščak Arena 1, Simon Wagner reached for his most aggressive weapon — sharp, decisive driving. The result: he immediately took the lead, moving 6.8 seconds ahead of young Giovanni Trentin. The family battle became even more complicated when Julian Wagner moved up to third place, creating a 5.4-second advantage over Giovanni’s father, Mauro Trentin.

Mark Škulj, Slovenian vice-champion, was also driving in excellent rhythm. His fast and consistent performance brought him up to fifth place overall, proving that entering the fight among the greats requires serious ambition.

Savrščak under the winter sun – cold air and heated emotions

As the day went on, the winter sun broke through the fog and fully illuminated Savrščak. The temperature remained low, but the sunshine warmed the thousands of spectators gathered along the edges of the stage. The fairy-tale scenery — trees decorated with snow, sunlight breaking through icy crystals — created a true winter rally spectacle.

The first Sunday stage also brought a large number of off-road excursions and retirements, fortunately without injuries. As a result, the start of the second stage was delayed — but the adrenaline only continued to rise.

Giovanni Trentin’s chase – second by second

On the Savrščak Arena 2 special stage, Giovanni Trentin delivered another impressive drive. He was fastest on the stage, reducing Simon’s advantage to just 3.4 seconds. It seemed the young Italian might be able to produce a major surprise. But experience, calmness and consistency were on the side of the Austrian ace. Despite Giovanni’s fierce attack, Simon Wagner remained firm. With a fast yet extremely controlled drive, he confirmed his status and won the 15th Rally Show Santa Domenica.

This was his fourth victory on the gravel roads of Savrščak — a confirmation of dominance and driving mastery.

Giovanni Trentin finished second overall, and although he came close, victory will clearly have to wait for one of the future editions. Third place went to Simon’s brother, Julian Wagner, giving the family duel a symbolic conclusion as well — the Wagners claimed a double podium.

The best Croatian crews – the Mikulec brothers in the TOP 10

Among the Croatian crews, Mislav and Marko Mikulec stood out the most in a Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. Their excellent drive earned them eighth place overall, the best Croatian result of this edition.

Several more local crews also finished inside the TOP 25.

The excellent Dario Merlić, with co-driver Tomislav Osrečki in a Renault Clio Rally, finished 15th overall and took first place in the RSSD1 class. Viliam Prodan and his co-driver Marko Stiperski, in a Škoda Fabia R5, finished 16th overall. First an organiser, and then a driver, Daniel Vojvodić, with co-driver Filip Puzić of Pile i Vile Rally Team, powered his Ford Fiesta Rally3 Evo to 20th place overall. Experienced crew Nenad Lončarić and Tajana Vojvodić Pinky completed the list of the top 25.

This year’s Rally Show Santa Domenica was completed by 123 crews, which speaks volumes about the demanding nature of this gravel show.

The curtain falls – a winter fairy tale to remember

This year’s jubilee 15th edition of Rally Show Santa Domenica once again justified its status as the most special rally weekend in the region. Fairy-tale conditions, spectacular driving and an incredible atmosphere created an event that will be talked about for a long time.

The winter fairy tale of the 15th RSSD came to a happy and successful end — with smiles from the drivers, the delight of the spectators and the promise that new gravel stories will be written again next year.

Until then — the gravel beauty rests, but the legend continues to grow.