Alpine Grand Prix 2022: A Long Way. Quickly

4 July 2022 Redazione Events, News

ALPINE GRAND PRIX

Words Andrea Balti / Photos Andrea Fracchia

We have shuffled cards once again and the 2022 season has kicked off with a new edition of the Alpine Grand Prix, the event that more than any other embodies the “Cars, Roads, Adventures” Auto Class mantra. 25 sports cars thus gathered at the first light of dawn in Bersezio (CN), a few kilometers from the French border, where after a delicious breakfast at the Pasticceria Bruno there was just little time to apply the stickers provided by our historical partners WrappingItaly and have a quick briefing useful to summarize the safety rules and check the road book, in order to leave towards those mountains that with the passing of minutes begin to be kissed by a warm late June sun. You really couldn’t ask for anything better.

Numerous new faces have joined the group of diehard loyal drivers who now know very well that when it comes to driving, the Alpine Grand Prix is ​​undoubtedly capable of delivering miles and miles of fun. Ready to go. After a few minutes we are already tackling the first hairpin bends, those of the col de Larche. A practically deserted pass thanks to the fact of having opted for an earlier start than usual and while we see the great variety of sports cars, it is already time for the first of today’s highlights: the col de la Bonette.

There is no distinction of gender: coupe, convertible, hot hatches and the two very angry staff cars: the new Audi RS3 Sportback and Hyundai Kona N, lent to us by Audi Italia and Hyundai Italia, ultimate tools to devour a mountain road by grinding the tires at each turn. From the first hairpin bends of the spectacular Col de Restefonde we begin to outline what the day’s schedule is about, that is, many curves and the desire to unload some adrenaline using cars born with the absolute principle of having fun. After the first checkpoint, we definitively enter the heart of the highest asphalt road in Europe, reaching the legendary monolith of la Bonette and leaving again – after the inevitable photos – heading down for Isola.

First fuel stop and off like the wind beyond the Col de la Couillole, touching Beuil, Valberg and then descending south, entering the majestic Gorges de Daluis. The spectacle offered by nature and centuries of erosion makes the red rock canyons exciting even for those who have been here not too long ago, while for those who touch this sacred asphalt for the first time it is like opening a window out of this world. Tunnels dug into the rock that intertwine with one-way lanes, overhangs on one side and the bare stone wall on the other, a soundbox carved over the years and which seems to guard the passage of who knows how many other driving enthusiasts like today’s wild fifty.

Time is running out and the schedule is still tight. We leave and reach Castellane for lunch just in time, as the restaurant was about to put everything away! This is the best opportunity for the first comments, deepening the knowledge with people who until a few hours before had never even met and now, sharing an adventure like that of the Alpine Grand Prix, have millions of things to say in common. The atmosphere is that of a beautiful party, where everyone knows exactly what it takes to make a day of driving a special moment to remember. Quick look at the road book for the last stages of the tour, special awards to some of the fantastic crews present with a selection of provided by our partners at RaceTrackArt and back to the wheel to travel the Route de Thorenc. Here, taking advantage of a stretch of closed road, there is an opportunity to further abuse the tires – as if it had not been done so far – and disappear towards the horizon heading for Gréolières les Neiges, before coming back to the valley and entering the Route de Gentelly.

Some more tarmac to the Col de Vence and with 305 kilometers on our back and an impossible to quantify number of curves and smiles, this completes a new and successful edition of the Alpine Grand Prix. At the end of the day there is a lot to talk about and above all the confirmation that the main ingredient for this type of adventures are the traveling companions: the 25 best crews you could possibly want. Time to go home, tired from the heat, with a heart full of joy and with the cars asking for a few more liters of petrol swallowed more quickly than usual. Once again, thanks to everyone and see you at the next climb. It will certainly be a long way, but we will cover it quickly.