The CLASSIC RUN comes back to where the road draws those gentle curves. Where the hills and the horizon embrace the countless little villages. The magic of the Langhe welcomes us once again with its scents and flavors, allowing us to discover new views and guiding us along the most captivating roads of the region.

Words Andrea Albertazzi / Photos Riccardo Ruatasio

Birthday, Christmas and the Classic Run. These are days that get highlighted more than others on our calendar and we like to think that the “classica piemontese” has truly become an unmissable event. The numbers speak for themselves – forgive me if I sound a little self-congratulatory this time – but when you’re forced to close registrations just a few days after opening and (unfortunately) turn down so many requests to avoid blatantly exceeding the maximum limit imposed from the top floor, it means something very special is about to happen.

You say Classic Run, but this year you read Langhe Tour, as we’re coming back to where it all began about ten years ago and where we’ve come back several times since, alternating towns, roads and the stunning locations that have earned the region UNESCO World Heritage status. We’re scheduling it a few weeks earlier than last year’s escape across Monferrato, in order to secure a better weather, while carefully crafting an itinerary that focuses on the two essential aspects of this and every one of our events: the joy of driving and the celebration of the scenic value of a landscape that, especially if you’re seeing it for the first time, stays with you like a life-sized postcard.

The meeting point is at the Bricco Rosso, above Farigliano. From up here, you can truly see the Langhe splendor. The first rays of sunlight begin to illuminate the tidy meadows and vineyards at the peak of their beauty, ready for the harvest that will give life to the region’s renowned wines. The cool early-morning breeze accompanies the check-in and breakfast phase and while the forty crews settle their cars and visit the cellar, the clock advances to briefing time, where the use of roadbooks – carefully prepared to assist even those without a co-driver – is explained.

The open formula, which allows participants to join with either a historic or a modern sports car, is confirmed again this year, giving everyone the freedom to choose their vehicle without the fear of being left behind due to a last-minute breakdown. After all – it’s clear – this isn’t meant to be a caravan and the good point of having a professional roadbook lies in being part of a group while still managing your pace according to your own needs and preferences. Because Langhe is the exaltation of taste, in every sense of the word. It’s a journey into an emotion: right after the start we dive into the roads of yet another brand-new edition, with about 80% of tarmac never driven before.

Priority is clearly given to the scenic side. It’s literally impossible to remain indifferent when facing a ribbon of asphalt winding through meticulously cultivated fields. On one side, the view opens up completely and you can spot the small villages clustered around church bell towers. Your arm hangs out the window and the cool morning air brushes against your skin. In that very moment, the passion for automotive takes on a tangible form. The following instant, the roar of the engine takes over and you continue to devour kilometers across the area’s most iconic locations: Monforte d’Alba, La Morra, Barolo, Roddino, Montelupo Albese, Diano d’Alba and then Mango, Neive, Barbaresco, Verduno and finally Pollenzo.

It wouldn’t be fair to mention some of the cars and it would be crazy-long to list them all. You can look at Riccardo Ruatasio’s photos – the best account of a day where the pleasure of driving a classic car in total relax merges with the thrill offered by the latest sports cars. All of this blended into a tailor-made package for enthusiasts: about 130 kilometers of curves and unpredictable roads, which on a surprisingly traffic-free Sunday gave us driving moments to treasure in our hearts.

Those moments when we pulled over, perhaps to take a closer look at the directions, our eyes couldn’t help but bounce across a natural backdrop with a timeless scent. Here, time seems to flow differently and that’s exactly why you know you’ll come back – whether with a large group of fellow enthusiasts or on your own. In true Auto Class style, we reached the Albergo dell’Agenzia in Pollenzo with a bit of delay. Stomachs rumbling, after parking the cars (more or less neatly) in the majestic garden, we settled in and began the food-and-wine journey.

Awards followed, along with the presentation of our upcoming book “Discover Langhe-Roero-Monferrato”, a volume aiming to showcase the region from the perspective of driving enthusiasts. Due toward the end of the year, it will be a must-have for lovers of this particular type of roads and of tourism in general, introducing a new concept of descriptive storytelling, as usual supported by a top-level photographic contribution. Dessert (with a surprise cake for two of our crew), coffee and some final chats wrapped up the day before heading home, lowering the curtain on today’s spectacular performance. This year’s Classic Run has been exactly what it promised to be: driving, beautiful roads and great food. And, without fear of sounding redundant, for us who had already traveled the route several times during the refining stages and thought we couldn’t be surprised anymore by the region’s beauty, the emotion was brighter than ever. Indeed, “Langhe as you’ve never seen them before” was far more than just a saying.

---