FORZA POLAND 2023
More than 400 cars, including 200 Alfa Romeos, more than 3000 spectators, a relaxed family vibe, and the Rozalin Palace's beautiful surroundings all added up to a “small Italy” feeling outside Warsaw during one of the May weekends. This year's edition of the most significant event for the Italian car culture enthusiasts in Poland was one to experience.
This year's edition was a record on many levels. The initial limit of 350 cars sold out within 36 hours (in 2022, it took 4 weeks to gather 320 signups). Beautiful and rare machinery was on display, including an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider from 1958, a mint Alfa Romeo SZ from 1991, a Lancia Appia from 1961, or the newest Ferrari SF90 Stradale Asseto Fiorano. The quality of cars participating is may be rising from year to year, but it is not necesarilly thanks to the team behind it, but rather to the enthusiasts really upping their game and taking out better cars to drive and bringing for public display.
It is easy to focus on the most eye-catching cars, but the event has always been known for focusing on people rather than the cars. You can show up in your granddad's Fiat Seicento, and you will be a valued participant. There is something magical in this format, where it does not matter how you get here or which car keys you hold. The passion unites and fuels the smiles all day long. And there were many things to talk about, from the Fiat 850T painted as a Ferrari road support vehicle, multiple instances of 105 Giulias, roaring Abarths, a pristine Lancia Stratos replica all the way to a Lamborghini Murcielago.
The ForzaItalia.pl team has created the platform for a joyful and vibing picnic filled with enthusiasts, their machines, and their stories. The venue - Rozalin Palace - greets all guests with a cozy atmosphere, great food, drinks and a helpful, engaged crew that runs the show.
One of the main points on the schedule is the presentation of selected crews, in a format of an informal concours d’elegance. We are not talking Villa d’Este here, but rather a more relaxed and full of humor way to present the story to the Jury. Here the stories are the key and very often it is not the machine that is rewarded, it’s the complete picture and the personal owner’s touch.
Imagine a story of a student who 1968, bought a Fiat 1600 OSCA in Italy and drove it back to Poland. The car has remained in the family and has been restored after the daughter nudged the owner that this Fiat cannot be forgotten. Both have presented the car on the stage at Rozalin. Another participant drove up with a Fiat Uno, the family car taking him to high school exams. Some of the previous stories included a young gentleman showing up with a Fiat Seicento that is initially in the family and has been used by his grandad - this was the spark to begin his passion for Italian cars. What about an Alfa Romeo Spider third series, named by a married couple as “Alfa Therapy”? These stories take you by heart. This year's event star, the S.Z., was previously owned by the very person behind the international SZ/RZ register. These are just some examples of the stories collected throughout the years.
Forza is not a static event. Some participants can participate in a navigation rally, which takes them for a 40km trip with puzzles and riddles along the way. They can participate in knowledge quizzes and exciting meetings with inspiring speakers. This year one could listen to the story of a Polish team that took part in the Panda Raid in Morocco, learn how to buy an apartment at the Garda lake, and get inspired about what is interesting in Turin. In previous years there was even a press premiere of Alfa Romeo GTAm or live Q&A with the management of Alfa Romeo Poland.
The event is organized by the passionate team of ForzaItalia.pl club members and its history traces back to 2007. The team gets inspired by many other events across Europe, but has truly created a unique format. It takes 13 people, plus some support staff to get this event running. Thanks to partners Alfa Romeo, Pirelli, Ducati, and others, it is possible to run it in a venue that is of great quality and atmosphere.
Forza is already a synonym of an event to wait for. There are multiple requests to make another one in the calendar or try out another venue in Poland. For the last three editions, Rozalin Palace has been ideal so why change?
With growing interest, the ForzaItalia.pl has to figure out a way to maintain the open spirit of the event and at the same time make sure the quality goes the only possible way. The date for 2024 is not fixed yet, but the energy from this year does not allow to give up on making another edition of Forza. Want to find out more or be notified about our plans? Reach out at redakcja@forzaitalia.pl
Photos by Piotr Krasinski.
