The 2026 Modena Cento Ore showcased thrilling competition, with wins for Porsche, Jaguar, and Cobra across multiple categories during a challenging four-day event.
The 2026 Modena Cento Ore delivered an exciting mix of classic racing and breathtaking scenic routes, featuring iconic vehicles like the AC Shelby Cobra 289, Porsche 911 RSR, and Jaguar XK120. Over four days, 100 crews faced ten special stages and three circuit races across Italy, testing both their skills and their cars' capabilities.
Event Overview and Format
Taking place from October 7 to October 10, the event adopted a ‘Coast to Coast’ format that began on the Adriatic coast at Riccione. Participants navigated through the picturesque Apennines before arriving on the Tyrrhenian coast at Forte dei Marmi, ultimately concluding in Modena. The route totaled nearly 1000 kilometers, encompassing timed stages on closed mountain roads alongside racing at renowned venues like Misano, Imola, and Mugello.
Competition Highlights
The competition quickly unfolded with early frontrunners establishing themselves. Florian Feustel and Katrin Becker in their 1973 Porsche 911 RSR won the first two special stages at San Leo and Urbania, earning them a solid lead. However, it was Mr. John of B and Sibel's 1971 Matra MS650 that triumphed in the first circuit race at Misano, narrowly ahead of the powerful Ford GT40 driven by Johannes Stengel and Andrew Smith.
On day two, attention shifted to Imola where the Ford GT40 reclaimed its stride, allowing Stengel and Smith to assert their dominance with a circuit win. This led to stages in the challenging Apennines, where heavy rains added to the difficulties. Despite the adverse conditions, Feustel and Becker held firm, notching their fourth consecutive stage victory, showcasing both skill and resilience.
Shifting Fortunes at Mugello
Day three presented a dramatic twist as mechanical issues sidelined the Pursuit Racing Ford GT40 during the formation lap at Mugello. This opened the door for Jon Minshaw and Katarina Kyvalova to secure victory in the D/E/F category race driving their classic Jaguar E-Type. Notably, Charlie and Olly Birkett finished a commendable second in an AC Shelby Cobra 289, followed closely by Michiel and Karen Campagne in a Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport.
The Matra MS650 returned to the forefront in the G/H/I category, outpacing competitors, including the Ferrari 308 GTB Michelotto driven by Philipp Brühwiler and René Risi, with Feustel and Becker finishing in third place in their Porsche.
A Thrilling Finale
With only one day remaining, Feustel and Becker's Porsche 911 RSR maintained its lead, winning stages at San Rocco and Isola Santa. They entered the final day at the top of the leaderboard, ahead of Glenn and Conrad Janssens in their Ferrari 308 GTB Michelotto and John Yates with Alexander Lee in a Porsche 911 RS.
The last day featured four stages — Passo del Vestito, Careggine, Vagli, and Passo delle Radici — culminating in a grand procession into Modena. Ultimately, Feustel and Becker clinched victory in the Competition G/H/I classification for cars built post-1966. They solidified their performance with six stage wins throughout the event. Glenn and Conrad Janssens secured second place in their Ferrari, while the podium was completed by Yates and Lee in their Porsche 911 RS.
Victors in Other Categories
In the D/E/F category, Charlie and Olly Birkett triumphed with their AC Shelby Cobra 289, placing them ahead of Marcus Anderson and Nicola Arena in a 1962 Jaguar E-Type and Kevin and Lee Jones in a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta.
The Regularity competition was particularly fierce, with frequent shifts in leadership over the event’s duration. Initially, Peter Goossens and Arno Walravens led after day one, but the advantage shifted to Thomas Hinrichsen and Solange Mayo at mid-point. Ultimately, Herman and Michel Foucart triumphed in their 1953 Jaguar XK120, winning in a tightly contested finish where the top three crews were only tenths of a second apart.
Pascal Deleuze and Laurent Gori finished second in their 1963 Renault Dauphine 1093, with Mike and Carolyn Sheehan rounding out the podium in a 1962 Jaguar E-Type.
Performance Awards and Special Recognitions
The Index of Performance, which balances the age and performance of the cars, was awarded to Timm Peter Meinrenken and Klaus Masuch in an Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA. Allan and Evan Thom finished second in a Ford Lotus Cortina, while Gaby von Oppenheim and Claudia Hürtgen took third in another Giulia Sprint GTA, also earning the Ladies’ Cup title.
Numerous individual period classifications were awarded, highlighting outstanding performances across different eras. The Matra MS650 of Mr John of B and Sibel took the Grand Prix classification award, while Team Formula GT and GTO Engineering earned top honors in their respective team classifications for competition and regularity.
Among additional accolades, the Mechanical Miracle prize went to Team Raceline for their commendable effort in repairing car number 49 after extensive mechanical issues, demonstrating the spirit and camaraderie of classic motorsport communities.
The event culminated with festivities in Piazza Roma, where participants were warmly welcomed outside the Palazzo Ducale, home of the Modena Military Academy, marking another successful chapter in the rich tradition of the Modena Cento Ore.
For more details, visit the Modena Cento Ore website.
