Selected by the Italian government as part of the National Made in Italy programme, the 2026 edition of Seaside Racing will take place from 8 to 11 June 2026, bringing applied vehicle dynamics research back to the Circuito del Sele.
Seaside Racing is a self-funded open-knowledge format dedicated to on-track vehicle dynamics research. The track becomes an open-air laboratory where data collected in real operating conditions support academic research and give industrial partners a validation ground for models, products and new technologies.
Vehicle list:
- 124 Spider (MegaRide)
- Tesla Model Y (University of Naples Federico II)
- Alfa Giulia (University of Padova)
- WRC-spec Rally car
- Competition Kart
- Sport bike
For the experimental activities, the signature MegaRide 124 Spider will be joined by a wider testing fleet, including the Tesla Model Y, the Alfa Giulia from the University of Padova, a go-kart and a motorcycle, extending the programme across different vehicle architectures and testing scenarios. Activities will include tire characterization with different tire manufacturers, gravel rally tire testing in quarry conditions, particulate emissions measurements, ABS and ESC characterization, go-kart handling sensitivity and motorcycle acquisitions to support sensing system development.
The main activities planned are:
- Characterization of Apollo tires on the MegaRide 124 Spider through handling tests and objective manoeuvres, mainly aimed at studying tire wear behaviour;
- Gravel rally tire characterization with the MegaRide 124 Spider, combining quarry-based gravel testing and on-track sessions;
- Characterization of Pirelli tires on the Tesla vehicle using the TRICK methodology;
- Data acquisition on the Tesla vehicle related to particulate emissions;
- Dynamic characterization of ABS and ESC control systems on the Alfa Giulia;
- Go-kart handling characterization with sensitivity analysis on different setup configurations;
- Sport bike signal acquisition to characterize a rider alert system based on seat vibration.
The “magic formula” is the Seaside Method, where equipment, expertise and experimental objectives are brought together in a shared testing programme. The data collected on track are shared with the participants who contributed to the activities, so that each run becomes part of a common technical base for analysis, validation and future development.
A project that blends technical excellence, scientific curiosity and human collaboration, made possible by a growing network of people, companies and institutions.
