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A month in Central America, from Panama to Vera Cruz, the great Mexican port. Six thousand km and seven countries, from 16 February to 16 March next year. Always paved roads and entries are open to any kind of classic cars. The organizer is John Bridgen, who can boast to his active carrying out long rallies in Asia and America. This event promises superb scenery, classic colonial hotels, forests, volcanoes, and, above all, a feast of all the archaeological sites of the great empire of the Mayas. The cost (16,750 pounds) can be considered restrained considering English standards. Of course, you have to add the cost of the container and the flights, but it is a great life and engines experience. All the details on www.bespokerallies.com
The "Circuito Citta di Avezzano" is becoming a must, its fame has even crossed the Italian borders and there are few but substantial reasons to explain such a success. First of all it is a wonderful event, with the street circuit at night, thousands of fans to follow us and applaud the competitors, all strictly aboard roadster car and "barchette". Then, the "white night" which takes place in the middle of summer is a unique attraction. Finally, we are a guest of the organizers, who, this year, have banned the use of computers and various newfangled: only old stopwatches to count the cents. It seems that there should be a reserved classification for journalists...
Our old mamma Serafina (Roberto's mother) has reached one hundred years. We have celebrated the centenary with all her family, the two sons, three grandchildren, daughters in law. She goes on to say that she cannot hear (she spent part of the day answering all phone calls). She cannot see (and she does not lose one episode of "A Place in the Sun" and reads every book we give her). She can remember nothing (but continues to do the crossword puzzles). A century of life is a high achievement. To reach it in her physical and mental condition is a wish for those you really love.
Philip Young died. That damn, trivial fall from the motorcycle in Burma led us away forever the gruffest among our friends. The prince organizer of the largest international rallies. Only he was able to invent races like Around the World in 80 Days or the Beijing to Paris. The next one, in June 2016, would have been the fifth with 120 crews from 26 different countries!). For twenty years, we have seen him how our comet. We organized our life on the car, that thrills us, according to his proposals. He was always brilliant, innovative, adventurous. He took us to the Himalayas, three times in Africa, Pakistan and Iran, in the Gobi Desert, in Alaska. He made us angry and exalted. He has filled our existence of unforgettable memories. We followed him almost everywhere. We decided to jump (just to repeat the adventure in Mongolia) the race that for the first time carried a western rally in Burma. Just where Philip lost his life, at age 67. He was shuttling among the buildings of the various customs offices, to facilitate, like usual, the transit "his" competitors. No one can take his place. Not even in our memories.
Begins from afar this countdown. But if the preparation for the Beijing-Paris (P2P as the English say) were not already well underway, we would be in real trouble. One of the features of this kind of racing is that the length is not measured in days of competition. Adrenaline (even if someone in the family calls it differently: anxiety) begins to rise months and months in advance; I do not say that we are already in this race, but close enough. The Giulia is in the workshop in Seregno, in June we will start as one of the Scuderia del Portello teams, the conferences, the hope to forge with sponsors. In November, the first weekend in England with briefing and navigation tests. Meanwhile, on Repubblica Motori you can find a complete our anticipation that you must read.
It will take place throughout Italy in the twenty-eighth edition of the Classic Marathon. Departure from Lecce June 14, steps in Matera, Salerno, Pescara and San Marino arrival in Brescia. Magnificent scenery, camaraderie, food and fun in accordance with the formula English. That means putting aside all the electronic equipment for the Italian sistem, just use a good old trip master to calculate distances, follow the road book and meet the perfect medium. Very accurate distinctions by type and age of the car, each one will compete only against the same rank in terms of engine power and year of manufacture (remember that the British - to determine the age of the car in the race - always refer to the first model built). Obviously only little chance to register our name in the hall of fame: just to be clear, the first edition, London-Cortina-London, was won by Stirling Moss ...
Africa is beautiful, a ride with your vintage car is a dream to be realized within a year. There are two events both scheduled for the October 2015. The first has the signature of Philip Young (four Beijing-Paris, Around the World in 80 days, more than 60 long races...); the second one is organized by Burt Rietbergen, a Dutchman that after a Peking-Paris in 1997, lived as competitor, had the inspiration to change role. Now organizes events that are really tailored to the participants. His next Safari has starts and finishes in Cape Town after an extensive tour to Namibia, Victoria Falls, the great parks of Botswana and the wonders of the Golden route. Three weeks, 9,000 km race, 27,500 Euros which include everything, also the transport of the car. If you do not want to participate with your car taking it to the extreme southern point of Africa, Burt will make available - at the same price - a 4x4. Young has Madrid as a starting point, and after the dive towards Gibraltar, includes a dozen days of full immersion in the Sahara, touching all the mythical paths to the dunes and the Atlas Mountains. The grand finale to Marrakech and the possibility for Italian crews, to take the ferry for the return Tangier-Genoa.
Well, take note this address if you go to London: Pembridge Road 19. Take the metro and get off at Notting Hill. It is, however, along the way you have to do to Portobello, so it's just up on the road. You will recognize the showcase right away, there's an old orange Fiat 500 on display to exalt the different kind of pizza for sale. And tasty "true" arancini , italian pasta and coffee as they should. If you can climb to the top floor, you can sit at the table. On the wall there is a mural that only authentic "Roma fans" will recognize. This "Arancina" has been happy idea of two young Roman boys, inspired by their father, Massimo Mortari. That's right, the gentleman that drives a great Ermini and, sometimes, a Porsche 356 convertible. And since the initiative has been successful, Mortari have opened another store. Now the home deliveries take place with another Fiat 500 Giardiniera. Obviously orange!
On the website of Repubblica, in the Motors section, curated by Vincenzo Borgomeo there is an extensive report of our Classic India. There are also 19 beautiful color photos chosen in recent days of strenuous return to normal. Our loyal readers will be proud they had previews daily, connecting to girodelmondo.com. You know? From November 15th to today, we found it has scored an average of almost 500 hits a day. I think that Repubblica.it daily contacts are a couple of million... It is a great satisfaction for us, drivers by chance
