Vintage Bikes Pay Tribute to the Circuito del Chienti e Potenza

The Italians have it all sussed out. Every August they shut up shop, quite literally, and all sod off on holiday. Us Brits could learn a thing or two from our continental cousins instead of settling for the two weeks in Spain most opt for but here we are. Anyway, back to Italy and we resume our coverage of the event season of ASI Circuito Tricolore after the summer break. The prestigious series, which Car & Classic is proudly in partnership with, restarted last weekend with the Circuito del Chienti e Potenza: three lovely days – from Friday the 23rd to Sunday the 25th of August – dedicated to beautiful old motorcycles in the stunning Marche region.

Simone Casari atop his 1924 Moto Guzzi C4V

Organized by Circolo Automotovecoli d’Epoca Marchigiano “Lodovico Scarfiotti”, the event celebrated its centenary this year with the 28th edition of this historic coming together of all things two-wheels. This year was the most successful yet with more than 90 historic motorcycles from the 1910s up to the ’50s all taking part. The oldest among them, Simone Casari’s 1924 Moto Guzzi C4V, won the coveted Car & Classic prize that we assign to an historically significant vehicle at all Circuito Tricolore events. We were honoured to award Simone and the Moto Guzzi with our trophy and seeing as the bike carries with it 100 years of history, just like the Circuito itself, it was a fitting tribute.

Using the new and original Interno Marche Hotel (a very interesting house-museum project inaugurated last May) as a logistical base for hospitality, things got off to an auspicious start. The opening of the Centenary celebrations on the Friday evening at the Politeama Theatre kicked things off nicely, with the festivities being reported in the national press, including in the Motociclismo periodical. The surprise presence on stage of the four motorcycles that won the 250, 350, 500 and 1000cc classes in the inaugural edition of 1924 certainly made interesting reading for those that were unable to attend in person and the Levis, Garelli, Triumph and Harley-Davidson in question were a sight to behold.

On Saturday, which focussed on the exaltation and beauty of the Marche landscapes, the participants and their bikes faced about 100km of scenic riding. From Belforte del Chienti, to Camporotondo di Fiastrone and Fiastra, to name just a few of the best known places, the riders were treated to the peculiarities and typical features of the territory along with tastings of local produce. The area is truly enchanting, and it’s no surprise to learn that it’s popular with ex-pats who choose to settle down here, or at least spend a few months a year in this part of the world.

In the early afternoon, a stop in Pieve Torina for the Sentiero delle Acque (the Waters Path – dedicated to water and its use over time in the rural mountain economy) allowed riders to experience the Kneipp hydrotherapy wellness program along with some much needed refreshments. It was then back on the bikes to resume the journey towards Muccia, Polverina, Caldarola and a whole host of other picturesque little towns.

On the Circuito del Chienti e Potenza the roads are every biker’s dream, with little traffic, sweeping curves and plenty of ups and downs. Combine that with the beautiful weather and a succession of picture perfect views and you have a recipe for pure joy. Completing the long middle day were the evening shenanigans with the Municipal Administration and the CAEM/Scarfiotti giving the participants and the local population an opportunity to witness the parade of old vintage sidecars. The road was closed to traffic, allowing everyone to get involved, including the children who were allowed to ride in the sidecars, creating a fun and magical atmosphere. An unforgettable moment.

This was followed by a dozen vintage pre-1936 cars, with the owners giving rides to passengers in repeated laps and in turns until the most awaited moment arrived – the display of the centenary motorbikes, several of which were race bikes that can’t normally ride on the roads. The roar of the four-strokes, the vintage clothing of the bikers, and the illuminated avenues evoked a golden age of motorcycling, offering the gathered crowds an opportunity to relive those heroic times when riders were cutting about on these fascinating specimens, bikes visible today only on rare occasions such as this.

The route on Sunday took the parade of participants between Tolentino, San Severino, Serrapetrona and Caccamo, among others, closing with the first trial section in the beautiful Piazza del Popolo in San Severino. The last section of regularity trials before lunch marked the end of the event with the prize-giving ceremony. ASI Circuito Tricolore will soon wrap up the 2024 edition, its 4th, with the last two events. The first – the Giro della Valle del Liri – will take place on the 27th to the 29th of September near Frosinone and the second – the Gran Tour dell’Elba, in the Elba Island, will run from the 4th to the 6th of October, rounding out what has been a season full of emotions, spectacular vehicles and shared motoring passions by ASI-Automotoclub Storico d’Italia.