Wet tarmac has its advantages. For example, try to imagine you as the only ones on a road that is usually very busy. Then think of a few hairpin bends, add about twenty sports cars. Got it right? That’s why the 150 KM Rally has been wildly fun.

Words Andrea Balti  / Photos Giorgia Rossi

This year’s events calendar starts earlier than usual. The first scheduled appointment takes place during the weekend between 13 and 14 May and since it is logically still early to aim for the Alpine peaks, we have prepared an in-depth experience in the Motor Valley, with a dutiful parenthesis to the world of Ferrari, the timeless myth that every self-respecting motor enthusiast should watch with admiration. Meeting on Saturday in the very early afternoon at the MEF in Modena, where we arrange the cars taking part in the complete weekend in a reserved area, exactly in front of the iconic home of Enzo Ferrari.

The weather forecast threatened rain throughout the week and this discouraged 6 crews who preferred to stay in the pits at home in order to avoid the long-predicted storm on Sunday. Once accreditations have been completed, it is immediately time to begin the Ferrari experience with a guided tour that allows to retrace the birth and great successes of the prancing horse. Quick transfer to Maranello for the second guided tour, concluding the visit by improvising as mechanics of the Scuderia Ferrari and competing against the clock (and the other participants) in the pit-stop activity with a real Formula 1 car. Needless to say, it turned out to be a very amusing situation, where however the competitive spirit was rightly not lacking also thanks to a tenths of seconds battle.

The sky continues with its menacing look over our heads, but manages to linger at least until dinner time, where we reach the Paddock Restaurant and with the cars stored in the underground garage, we go to bed ready for a day of driving. Sunday morning rises under the rain, but during the accreditations of the participants adding themselves to those already registered the previous day, the intensity of the rainfall decreases to such an extent that it is not a problem at all and thus allows to put the first stamp on the road books and leave for 150 kilometers full of curves and history. The stages allow to keep the group close together, while the roads have been carefully chosen by drawing from some of the locations that we usually prefer for our shooting when we find ourselves in the area.

The hairpin bends leading towards Samone and Zocca are a prime example, after all it is one of the most tortuous roads here, which is also chosen by testers of the most exclusive brands. The roar of the 20 cars seems to sweep away the clouds and no team is intimidated by the wet tarmac, providentially in good condition, despite the incessant rainfall of recent days. We pass Monzuno and then the Salita degli Dei (Climb of the Gods), a panoramic snake that leads to one of the most awaited moments of the entire weekend: the Raticosa pass.

Due to the uncertain weather conditions, the road is practically deserted. There is no trace of motorcycles or bicycles: to tell the truth, we only come across a couple of cars. Today, the Raticosa is a private playground and we are like children on Christmas morning, maybe also due to the outside temperature that once at an altitude of almost 1,000 meters above sea level stops at just 6 degrees. It’s almost 1.00 pm and we drive down towards the Futa pass, where Claudio awaits us, owner of the legendary restaurant which since 1890 has been a food and wine institution known even beyond National borders, as well as a favorite destination for none other than Enzo Ferrari, just to stick on the subject. We place the cars in front of the restaurant and while the adrenaline slowly begins to go down it is time to take a seat at the table and delight our palate with the most delicious and genuine local cuisine available.

The noisy convoy takes its passion from the road to the table, concluding two days of absolute motoring romance, rediscovering the dedication of a man who had the merit of giving life to the most iconic and loved brand in the world, managing to convey to all the attending teams – regardless of the prestigious badge on the hood – how passion for cars is capable of generating experiences and creating friendships that enhance what for some might seem like a simple car event. The 150 KM Rally ends with dark skies, wet asphalt and peeking fog, but the full bellies and satisfied smiles of those present confirm that the binge of bends was the ultimate appetizer of a driving season that is just started. And then, the wet and almost completely deserted road did nothing but increase the pleasure (and decrease tire slaying) when, coming out of a hairpin bend, the rear widened and painted textbook slides along the most legendary road surface of the entire Motor Valley.