#TeamTreGazzelle

The Tre Gazzelle – West Lancia team was a prominent semi-official entry in the European rally scene during the mid-1980s. Sponsored by Tre Gazzelle, an Italian coffee brand, and West, a German cigarette manufacturer, the team’s striking dual-brand livery became an icon of the Group B era. Founded around the structure of the Tre Gazzelle privateer team, which had already garnered attention by winning the 1984 European Rally Championship with driver Carlo Capone in a Lancia 037 Rally, the team received continued support from Lancia and Abarth. Capone's 1984 title remains one of the most notable achievements by a non-factory entry in European rallying. For the 1985 season, the team fielded two experienced drivers: Mauro Pregliasco, a well-known Italian rally veteran, and Andrea Zanussi, a rising talent. They competed primarily in Lancia 037s under Group B regulations, continuing the model's competitive career even as four-wheel drive cars began to dominate the sport. Though not officially designated as a works team, Tre Gazzelle – West benefited from strong technical and logistical support from Lancia, effectively acting as a satellite operation. Their participation in both national and European championship events helped maintain Lancia’s presence across multiple levels of competition during a critical transitional period in rally history.