Tricolore Trio – Car & Classic Goes Historic Rallying

We’ve said it before but we really do practice what we preach here at Car & Classic. From owning and maintaining a veritable fleet of classics to getting out and about and actually using them as the car Gods intended we fully embrace the classic life and so when the opportunity presented itself to get involved in a few historic Italian rallies last month care of ASI Circuito Tricolore, well, we jumped at the chance. Actually, it was more like a giant leap.

From Puglia to Tuscany via Emilia-Romagna, Car & Classic took to the field in Italy over the weekend of the 26th to the 28th of April in a spectacular hat-trick of events organised by ASI Circuito Tricolore, of which we are a partner. This holy trinity of events included the re-enactment of the Bari Grand Prix held by the local Old Cars Club, the Coppa Toscana, organized by the Club Auto e Moto d’Epoca Toscano of Florence, and Il Primavera di Augusto Farneti – a motorcycle rally directed by the Sport Club Il Velocifero of Rimini. All three featured a wonderful mix of historic vehicles, all in great shape, to bring the culture of classic motoring to the streets and squares of Italy.

Bari Grand Prix

The Apulian capital Bari on the heel of Italy hosted the eighth historical re-enactment of its Grand Prix, the famous road race originally contested between 1947 and 1956. Bringing 50 historic classics, mostly racing cars, to the city circuit along the central streets of Bari, the event was held over three “regularity” heats with the cars divided into groups whereby maintaining a precise average speed over the route was the order of the day.

From the Maserati 6CM and 200 S and Ferrari 250 Testarossas, to the small Formula Monzas of the ’60s, popular Stanguellini and Taraschi-designed Barchettas and the Alfa Romeo 6C icons of the ’30s there were plenty of diverse cars for the public to drool over as they applauded the drivers both at night on Saturday evening and in the actual re-enactment on Sunday morning.

Starting from Libertà square, the circuit embraced the entire ancient village of Bari with the starting grid and paddocks set up on Corso Vittorio Emanuele near the Margherita Theatre. The route then headed off along the beautiful seafront beside the stunning Castello Svevo castle and back again. Evoking nostalgic feelings of races past first place went to a 1956 Lancia De Leval, second to a 1959 Devin Special and the third spot to a one-off 1952 Monaci Bimotore 8C racer.

With so many exceptional cars to choose from it wasn’t easy to pick a winner for the coveted Car & Classic Trophy but choose we must and so the award went to the Taraschi Urania 750. Its long and distinguished history, coupled with its prestigious involvement at the Bari Grand Prix in 1949 at the hands of famous Italian driver Maria Teresa De Filippis made it a worthy winner.

Coppa Toscana

The Coppa Toscana, or Tuscan Cup, is one of the oldest competitions in the region and this year a whopping 70 distinguished cars took part in what was the 27th re-enactment of the esteemed race by ASI Circuito Tricolore.

The convivial convoy of classics, which left on Friday the 26th April from the panoramic Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, was able to pass through the renowned Piazza del Campo in Siena and the historic center of Montalcino.

The re-enactment, which again took place as a classic regularity rally, saw the group cross the Chianti and the Val d’Orcia before landing in Piazza del Campo – a beautiful and fitting end to such an esteemed competition. It’s a stunning and unique setting evocative of other prestigious events such as the Mille Miglia and the famous Palio di Siena horse race and its beauty, coupled with the luminous brilliance of the circular space that emerges suddenly from the small streets in the historic centre leaves you breathless, especially if you just so happen to be piloting a fabulous historic or vintage classic. There are certainly worse ways to spend a weekend.

Flying the flag for Car & Classic our trusty Bentley was the oldest of the bunch

But then being a spectator at the Tricolore event was pretty damn special, too. The large audience of enthusiasts and onlookers who were able to watch the presentation parade up close and personal in such an exclusive location certainly took home some special memories. Starting with our very own 1925 Bentley 3/4½ (a car you no doubt remember from our Le Mans exploits), which as the oldest car led the way in the parade of the entire event, the route mirrored that of the historic Tuscan Cup, allowing participants the opportunity to soak up some culture with guided visits to the frescoed rooms of the Municipality of Siena as well as the Cathedral and to sample the delectable food of the region with a lunch stop at none other than the Temple of Brunello di Montalcino.

The Tuscan Cup is conducted very much in accordance with the spirit of the Tricolore Circuit, which is organized every year by the Automotoclub Storico Italiano precisely to promote the passion for historic motorsport whilst raising awareness of the scenic wonders, food and wine of the Peninsula. When all is said and done, however, the Tuscan Cup is still a competition and as such there can be only one true victor and this year that honour went to a 1950 Jaguar Biondetti Special – a unique slice of automotive lore handcrafted by Clemente Biondetti, a driver and engineer with an enviable list of successes.

This time the Car & Classic award went to a rather wonderful ex Scuderia Jolly Club Lancia Fulvia Coupé 1300 Rallye Prototipo from 1969 prepared by Capriotti and “Jolly” well deserved it was too.

Il Primavera di Augusto Farneti

Swapping cars for motorbikes on the inland roads near Rimini the Il Primavera di Augusto Farneti, again hosted by ASI Circuito Tricolore, is a commendable celebration of two-wheeled icons.

Curated by the Sport Club Il Velocifero of Rimini, which has a particular sensitivity in selecting motorcycles of extreme historical importance, the competition exists to honour the unforgettable figure of Augusto Farneti on the tenth anniversary of his death.

As a true Romagna native, Farneti had fallen in love with mechanics since he was a child, developing a visceral love for historic motorcycles, a love that never waned over the course of his life. Known as “professor” due to his unparalleled knowledge of motorcycles that he acquired over decades of dedication the Il Primavera di Augusto Farneti is a heartfelt and fitting tribute.

Only open to significant and important motorcycles built up to 1963 the event saw the company of riders travel from Rimini to Montegridolfo for a visit to the Gothic Line Museum. On Saturday the 27th of April the group arrived in the central Piazza Cavour in Rimini for an exhibition, presenting the revered collection of motorbikes to the public. The day was then dedicated to discovering the Rimini hinterland, passing through the towns of Spadarolo, Vergiano, Sant’Ermete and San Paolo before returning towards the sea through Coste di Sgrigna and Casetti Prazzolo.

It was a fascinating route betwixt coast and countryside that allowed the riders to fully exploit and indeed enjoy the capabilities of their chosen steeds. During the last day, the riders once again faced the gentle hills of Romagna, passing through myriad tiny and picturesque villages before reconvening to discover who would take home the glory and recognition that only the Car & Classic trophy can bestow! This time it could only go to a 1914 Rudge Multi. Fully restored and with an incredibly rare variator gearbox this innovative British bike was the oldest of the bunch to navigate the roads of Romagna.

Here’s to the next Tricolore events and if this has inspired you to pick up your own historic classic, whether it be a car or bike, then we’re sure we can accommodate you.