We reach the end of the season not yet satiated by the many kilometers traveled so far. We need more roads, more views and a lot of noise, but after all, even at that point we cannot consider ourselves fully satisfied. The desire to drive is a primordial need and so we found ourselves in Monferrato, at the end of October, for a last round before the winter break.

Words Alessandro Marrone / Photos Mattia Negrini

Autumn. The meadows become yellow and get mostly covered by leaves that, having completed their life cycle, fall from the increasingly bare trees. There is something different in the air, a scent, a noise that is often drowned out by the loud rustling of cars driving along the wet road following the incessant rains of the last few weeks. The sun wakes up later than usual and goes to sleep earlier, shortening days that represent some of the last chances to go out and drive without a destination, until the daylight fades and you have to go back, ready to sum up the experiences of another year of kilometers and adventures. Out there, where the road as we intend it is not a mere connecting artery, but the instrument that gives voice to the passion of those who live this sweet obsession and keep it, well aware that the world, without even realizing it, tends to see it more and more as something strange and wrong.

We who live for the roar of an engine, know well what it takes to spend a day filled with emotions that never die down and sensations capable of outlining a spontaneous smile, so as to keep alive that spark that makes the fire of an inexplicable and innate passion for these metal objects burn bright. Maybe it’s because they speak to us, or because they too have a soul. All I know for sure is that days like this are increasingly rare experiences to share and when you happen to be able to do it with the right people you realize that you are exactly where you should. And all of this is wonderful.

It is not even dawn as we reach the charming village of Terruggia – a few kilometers from Casale Monferrato – when everyone is still asleep. The main square is dark, but the bar of the Town Hall is already working to welcome the crews. The rain is persistent and although weaker than in the past few days, a light mist allows us to glimpse between the dim lights of our maneuvering cars many small luminous trails interrupted by thousands of droplets. Without even realizing it, the participants arrive on time and fill the square kindly granted by the Municipality of Terruggia, surrounding two random cars left there by someone who did not pay attention to the signs. It doesn’t matter, everyone seeks shelter in one of the rooms of the cafe, where we carry out the accreditations and have breakfast. Then, when – at 8 o’clock – we are ready for the briefing, the rain seems to have finally stopped and a timid sun seems finally ready to make its way through the clouds above our heads.

Stamp on the first checkpoint and off we go. One after the other the cars confirm their presence in the awakening town, parading along the street of the old village and entering the kilometers that are about to definitively give life to this year’s Classic Run, appropriately nicknamed Il Giro del Monferrato. We immediately appreciate the greenery of a local road and the choice to leave early rewards a completely lack of traffic. The asphalt is still slippery, but as the kilometers pass we discover that the weather seems to to be merciful. The sun will not magnify the splendor of the hills typical of this area of ​​Piedmont, but the eyes bounce between the strip of asphalt and the views to both sides, which continually change alternating with the villages we pass through in the first section: Sala Monferrato, Moncalvo, Calliano, Montemagno, Refrancore and then we reach the first gathering point, at the gates of Rocchetta Tanaro.

It is the occasion for a first coffee break, to exchange opinions with enthusiasts who are enjoying a drive that is ultimately open to both historic cars and more recent models, in order to allow maximum freedom of choice regarding the mood with which to take part in the event. Verification stamp and we set off again towards Mombaruzzo, where we travel along a very scenic hilly section, just before reaching the Distillerie Berta, a local excellence famous throughout the world and which confirms its level by leading our crews with a guided tour and a tasting of grappa accompanied by the famous amaretti di Mombaruzzo.

With our nostrils still full of the strong smells of local production, we enter what is the most panoramic part of the entire route, crossing little roads literally immersed in the now bare vineyards. The view of the serpentine of cars is remarkable and despite the sun is not part of the day, the uncertain weather plays in our favor, making the roads almost completely deserted. This means that on the more open stretches, you can easily put the throttle down, filling the soft hills of Monferrato with one of the most beautiful sounds in the world, that of many engines singing their enchanted melody towards the pleasure of connecting the dots on the map while holding a steering wheel in your hands.

We thus pass Ricaldone, the famous village of Alice Bel Colle and continue along the Regione Rossa, stopping for a final regroup in Moasca. Passers-by point out the cars, children are left speechless and while we invade the petrol station a few kilometers from Canelli, we travel the short final stretch towards Calamandrana, filling every possible corner of the parking lot of the Residenza San Vito, the refined location chosen for lunch. The La Camendra restaurant turns out to be a fantastic surprise, offering a refined food and wine journey that is able to put an exclamation point on a day that went beyond our expectations.

Time to thank everyone, assign the awards and of course dessert and coffee, just before saying goodbye with the joy of those who have not only met new people, but friends with whom to share a passion that already makes you think about where we will go next year. When you leave the main room of the restaurant and go to the parking lot, observing the cars all parked a few centimeters apart, it is in that moment that you listen to the silence of those objects that with their noise know how to awaken emotions impossible to explain in simple words. They are there to rest and yet ready to set off again towards new journeys and new adventures. What is the passion for cars if not a deep sense of satisfaction that fills our heart and soul? We could give ourselves a different answer every time we try to find the one that seems th best one and in any case none would be able to properly outline all this. Actually, I think that this spasmodic love is more of a conduit, the ultimate means that leads to the happiness of those children who pushed small plastic cars over any surface. And who wouldn’t want to feel like a child again, carefree and happy for a little thing like a smile? Cars and those who share all of this are the conduit to happiness. And that is something we all deserve.

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