Alpine Grand Prix 2024: Welcome to Hairpin-Land

28 June 2024 Redazione Events, News

Words and Photos by Giorgia Rossi

Less than a month following the first event of the season – the Col de Turini Tour – we are ready to set off again for what will be an exciting adventure. Almost 300 kilometers, some of the wildest and most uncontaminated Alpine passes and the dizzying red rock gorges of Daluis and Cians. Places where it is nice to lose yourself in admiration, ideal points of an itinerary that combines the tortuous stretches of the high mountains with one of the most scenic works of nature.

These are the conditions that shape the sixth edition of the Alpine Grand Prix, a driving tour that radically changes its route every year, keeping intact a format that puts drivers and co-drivers at the center of a day designed according to the most visceral driving principle. We find ourselves early in the splendid village of Aisone, a small town west of Cuneo, located at the feet of the mountains which, with the arrival of the first crews, allow a pleasant and long-awaited sun to shine. The sky is clear, far beyond our wildest expectations and as we proceed with the accreditation phase we receive further confirmation that the Colle della Lombarda will be perfectly traversable. The pass has been in fact freed from the last piles of ice just two days earlier, which means that it will not be necessary to adopt the emergency plan prepared by the organizers.

We go up the stairs that lead to the Taverna delle Grotte, a location that pampered us with a delicious breakfast capable of tackling the entire itinerary before reaching the restaurant chosen for today’s lunch, which will be held in mid-afternoon, so as not to segment the most delicious part of the day, the one spent at the wheel. After the briefing it is then time to start the engines and leave Aisone with the certainty that we will see each other again on future occasions. Just five kilometers and it is time to turn towards some serious entertainment, heading for the Colle della Lombarda. Climbing here at 9 in the morning allows us to avoid possible traffic and tackle the narrow hairpin bends of one of the most majestic Alpine passes in Europe in complete relax. The rocky conformation of the Lombarda mixed with the numerous patches of ice still scattered here and there extends under a blue sky that suggests a day of favorable weather. It’s now certain.

Among the teams we have many familiar faces, some of whom were also seen the month before at the Turini Tour, but there are new ones as well. They all have two factors in common: a sports car ready to be unleashed around the bends and an absolute need for adrenaline. And so here they are satisfied, after a quick break at an altitude of 2,351, we enter France by descending towards Isola 2000, Isola and heading towards the curves of the Col de la Couillole (1,678 meters). We reach Beuil as the cars enter the parking area intended for grouping and the third stamp of the day. At this point there is a first and delicious taste of the section dedicated to the so-called gorges, the first are those of Cians and then we finally reach Daluis, where the spectacular canyon confirms themselves as an added value to the overall driving experience. Proceeding from south to north we follow the route that overlook the precipice, captured by a natural scenery that neither words nor photographs are really able to properly describe.

After passing Guillaumes the road becomes wider and smoother and shortly after we are back climbing again, ready to face the Col de la Cayolle, an equally scenic pass capable of mixing a purely rocky landscape with meadows that extend as far as the eye can see. Break a few kilometers from the summit in order to allow an easy stop for the crews and proceed towards its 2,326 meters of altitude. The northern side is a little narrower than usual but the spectacle offered by the mountains is priceless and makes you forgive a slower pace than the rest of the day. You don’t even realize it and you enter Barcelonnette, promptly deviating towards the Col de Larche, or Colle della Maddalena. It’s around 3pm and our stomach is starting to ask for some pasta. The fast curves that guide us in Italy are pure driving joy and allow us to begin to mentally process the diversity of the landscapes we passed through today. Last checkpoint on the “Colle” and with the sun reflecting the sky on the clear waters of the lake we descend towards Vinadio, pass Aisone and reach Piano Quinto, for an old-fashioned lunch at the La Fermata restaurant.

Some would say it’s getting late, but enthusiastic comments from those living the experience confirm that some enthusiasts want nothing more than some proper driving. There is just time for the awards ceremony, which sees the traditional prizes dedicated to the first to confirm his registration winning a key ring with the outline of the Monaco GP created by Circuiti Gioielli, to the crew who joined us from further away bringing home a sport bag from the Molte Curve by Alpinist collection and to the oldest car (a Lotus Elise S1) with a handmade work created by artist Wallace Design. Two more for the day, two free entries to the AME fair in Bologna and an Art Roads poster dedicated to the event that has just concluded.

It was a long day, kissed by the sun and enriched by a group of enthusiasts who confirmed how cars are a catalyst of emotions, capable of strengthening friendships and creating new ones. We therefore wish to thank them one by one, without finally forgetting the precious partners who supported us for the success of the day, mentioning in particular the fantastic welcome given to us by the Municipality of Aisone and by the Taverna delle Grotte, an absolutely recommended stop if you are in the area for a holiday or for some high-altitude curves.