Col de Turini Tour 2016 – Veni, Vidi, Vici

19 July 2016 Redazione Events, News

They say to go to the mountains for fresh, good and uncontaminated air. Every time I stopped the car to reassemble the group and take some pictures, my nose is filled with a strong mix of burning rubber, petrol and brakes put under stress too much – both climbing up and then coming down. Also this year we challenged the most famous road in the world of motoring and even though it was less magnanimous if compared to last year, we completed the mission. Sweat, fatigue and tiredness are not lacking, but the fun rate has amply repaid every effort. On July 3, we lived a magical experience, that only the Col de Turini can offer: 65 cars, including supercars and sports cars have left their signature with their tires on the famous hairpin bends of the Monte Carlo Rally and the 150 km run (fully mountain run) gave a series of very difficult emotions to describe, both with words and with photographs.
Given that our job requires us to tell and transmit the best possible way, what happened on the first Sunday of July, we are going to try to do our best in order to drag you there with us, between a corner and the other with a dangerous ravine on one side and the bare rock on the other. Meeting and accreditations in the impeccable setting of Monaco, at Stars ‘n Bars that never disappoints: excellent reception, our staff park the two courtesy cars – a BMW i8 made available by one of the sponsors (Gino S.P.A.) and a brand-new Subaru WRX STI. The drivers arrive early, well before the time indicated to them and immediately begins to get in the mood, breathing air of adventure, chatting on the cars that are arranged one after the other in good order at first, and then with a hint of disorder. Everything does nothing but fuel the desire to start up and drive. It is a short wait then – we meet with new fans and we welcome with great pleasure known faces and teams who have confirmed their participation for their second year, some with the same car, some with a new one. It’s an orgy for the eyes, while running the look along the harbor car park, just opposite the local, protagonists of the day alternate themselves: Lamborghini Huracan, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Nismo GTR, Porsche 991 GT3 RS, Mercedes SLR McLaren, an Alpine A110 (later awarded as the most special car) Audi R8 V10 and V10 Plus, an extremely noisy Westfield, two Lancia Delta Evo and even Toyota GT86, Audi TT, Subaru Impreza, Lancer Evo, Abarth (500 and Grande Punto), Porsche 911, 911 Turbo, Aston Martin V8, Lotus Elise, Focus RS, etc. etc.. In total, cars are 65 and just when we no longer know where to place them, it’s time for group picture and the long-awaited Start! As usual we walk a complete lap of the Formula 1 circuit – this year there are no more stands and barriers, but the curbs and some exhibition facilities allow us to enjoy the thrill of driving the most incredible circuit of the F1 world. Briefly bunched the convoy of cars and down in the tunnels, just before driving to La Turbie, where the road is free and the city traffic gives way to a breathtaking landscape. The sea shines under a blue sky and without even a cloud, the engines speed up a bit and things start to get serious.
Right on schedule with respect to the roadmap, we continue towards Menton, just before getting to Sospel and cross the Col du Castillon, the first series of twists and turns that test drivers and cars. The group is quite compact and those who are pushing hard love to put their cars sideways at every turn that is wide enough and free, also because of the clear view on the possible incoming traffic from the opposite direction. Participant behavior is impeccable, there is no obstacle. We feel part of a big family, while the Turini is there waiting, ready to lay down its verdict, giving glory to those who will live at best, and putting a strain on those who underestimate it. Hairpin after hairpin we keep climbing and the road becomes more winding; there is a little traffic and apart from two small mechanical failures, everything goes like a Swiss clockwork. Reached the summit, we park the cars in the restaurant area of the “Les Trois Vallées”, entirely reserved for Auto Class’ friends. Then it’s time to begin sharing some opinion and the first comments, new friends are already born and we’re ready to put our legs under the table for a quick lunch, just to rest the cars, already thoroughly tested.
During the lunch break it is time for the awards and we draft a series of lucky winners that get track-days at the E.R. Motorfest 2.0, photo books about their cars and a voucher raffled by CarwrappingItaly. Auto Class’ editors also wants to honor some of the participants with bottles of Astoria wine produced in limited edition especially for the occasion: the teams which come from the most distant place, the foreign team, the two team consisting of only women (the first driving a Roy Rogers, the second an RS6 Avant), and so on, thanking also the technical partners and the old friends and new ones such as Vittorio from “SupercarSafari”- today at the helm of a large array of supercars – and Andrea Mazzucca from “The Outlierman”, which takes the opportunity to present his fantastic products, yet proved once again, ideal accessories for a more than sporty driving. As soon as we took a cup of coffee, it’s time to handle the stage of La Bollène-Vésubie (down/up) and the desire to ground the right foot is not passed to anyone, in fact has only increased. That’s why it is not surprising if looking in the rearview mirror I see Raul’s SLR perfectly sideways, closely followed by the white R8 of Sauro (the same spectacular driver who last year followed me closely with that black M5). The crackle of the Huracan while approaching a corner are a constant reminder that the group is back there, like a pack that is going to hunt. Wherever we are, everything stops and remains motionless, waiting for that horsepower storm to leave behind only dust and smell of rubber. We descend crossing Lucérame, and a part for a kiss to a wall that will mark the end of the tour for a participant, everything goes on until the last resting point at the gates of L’Escarene, moments before climbing on the windings switchbacks of the Col de Braus.
A long and tiring journey, but damn spectacular. Every time you think you’ve found the most magical moment of the day, you immediately have to change your mind, discovering a glimpse that seems borrowed from the best postcard you ever saw in your life. The tour keeps going, crossing Sospel for the last refueling and then down to Monaco, again at the Stars ‘n Bars. And while cars are getting parked the sun begins to set and we enjoy the ground floor entirely reserved to our gang for a refreshing aperitif, topped by the immediate impressions of the participants, the undisputed protagonists of the day on the hills. No, it is not easy to convey the emotions experienced that Sunday, because it would be simplistic to describe how that Lancer Evo was biting every turn, or how epic it has been to see a Delta Martini retrace those roads that have made it a proper legend. Each car has been special, each person has made this tour a real event which is now fixed appointment for every true car guy that loves to drive for real. Yes, Facebook’s fake drivers maybe still prefer to style and profile across some fashionable city road, but today true petrolheads were in Monaco – no ifs or buts – they took up the challenge of the Turini and have completed that. Again this year we thank you all, from first to last, for making this day the most exciting event of the year and for giving your contribution in an episode of our lives that we keep with us forever. It is appropriate to say – Veni, Vidi, Vici! We wait you next year.

Words by Alex Marrone

Photos by Daniele Abbondanza – Davide Carletti