THE ULTIMATE HISTORIC RACE
The sixth edition of the classic Bernina Gran Turismo hillclimb race took place from 17 to 20 September, the first in this new Covid 19 era and one of the very few automotive events still happening in 2020.
About 80 participants had fun along the winding route in the Swiss Alps, a route that links the small alpine village of La Rosa to the Bernina Pass - 80 dream cars driven by authentic enthusiasts and former professional drivers.
The first day introductions were held at the Grand Hotel Kempinsky in St Moritz, where the participants and press officers met between technical checks and welcome cocktails.
On Saturday and Sunday, however, the dances began and from the paddock built at the Ospizio Bernina the cars went to La Rosa, the starting area, breaking through the surreal silence of the Alps with the scream of the engines launched between a curve and the other at maximum rpm.
The meeting is set up at seven in the morning, there is a bit of fog, it is cold and the asphalt not at its best, but a few curves are enough to gain confidence.
As always, Alfa Romeo was well represented: Giulia GTA, GTAm, a splendid and rare 2600 SZ Zagato and two incredible TZ2... What more could you want?! Well, maybe a 6C?!
Among the many cars present, also some of the sacred monsters of international motorsport: three Lancia Stratos, one of which sporting the wonderful Alitalia livery and a Lancia Delta S4 Group B, Maserati, Lamborghini, Abarth and Bugatti.
Cars for real drivers, of yesteryear, cars that are difficult to push to the limit, but if you wanted to win you had to do it without second thoughts.
Standing out in its striking orange coat was an incredible BMW M1 Procar, one of about only some forty ever produced, powered by its unmistakable straight six.
Among the curiosities there was a Riley from the late 20s, driven by our friend and brilliant photographer Andrea Klainguti, with the peculiarity of having a preselection gearbox: on the selector you choose the gear you think is most suitable and at the right moment just push the clutch and the gear it engages itself.
Also worth mentioning is the participation of the legendary former F1 driver Arturo Merzario, the eternal cowboy, aboard an Abarth 2000. Joining him in this star struck lineup was also Stefan Johansson, Ferrari and McLaren former Formula 1 pilot and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1997.
The car that fascinated me most is, needless to say, the Alfa TZ2, the evolution of the TZ series, lower and larger, with only a dozen ever produced. Despite the small production run, it is one of the most fascinating racing Alfas ever, the fifth essence of motorsport.
Bernina Granturismo is a hill-climb race and the similarity with other vintage car races is strong: maybe because it's something I'm familiar with, but Vernasca Silver Flag which takes place on the bends of an uphill road comes to my mind.
But in favor of the Swiss event there is also the breathtaking panorama of the Alps, where the continous play of light and shadow is wonderful and the alternation of sun and low clouds that surround you is fascinating.
All of this majestic background that the nature has to offer here making the atmosphere of the race even more magical.
