The first time I stepped into Di Fulvio Racing’s facility, I wasn’t there to cover the day-to-day happenings – I was photographing a collection of cars for an auction house. But it was the workshop that caught my attention.
Filled with historic Osellas, modern Nova Protos, and customer cars, the space was about as far removed from the kind of garage you might imagine a small family-run team in central Italy would operate out of. My interest was well and truly piqued.
A few months later, I found myself at the Coppa Paolino Teodori in Ascoli Piceno, one of Italy’s most significant hill climb events and a round of the FIA European Hill Climb Championship. It was there that I realised that Di Fulvio Racing is much more than competition car preparation.
For the 2026 season, Stefano’s Nova Proto is wearing a striking new livery in the team’s colours, while teammate and customer Mario Massaglia’s car remains entirely black. Sitting in the paddock, it looked like a Batmobile built for the mountains.
Di Fulvio Racing’s history stretches back decades to Stefano’s grandfather, who prepared Fiat X1/9 race cars. Today, that passion continues through Luciano, Stefano, Simone, and everyone in the wider team. Every competition result comes from a collective effort.
Between runs, Stefano, his father, Luciano, and brother, Simone, could often be found checking over and making fine adjustments to Mario’s car.
During Saturday practice, a wastegate actuator failure in Stefano’s Nova threatened to upend his weekend. Thankfully, another team in the paddock running the same car came to the rescue, providing a replacement part. It was a simple gesture, yet a perfect example of the spirit that still defines Italian hill climbing. Competition is fierce amongst the ranks, but camaraderie still exists.
By the end of the weekend, Stefano had secured second place outright, finishing just a few seconds behind Simone Faggioli, a multi-time European champion and overall winner of the 2025 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Stefano’s podium finish was first celebrated by fellow competitors and later by family waiting at the base of the mountain. Watching these moments unfold made it clear that race day results are only part of the story. Beyond the timing sheets, what stayed with me most was the quiet work behind the scenes and the passion that allows teams like Di Fulvio Racing to compete at the highest level.
