Col de Turini Tour 2017: Another Perfect Day!

21 July 2017 Redazione Events, News, Stories

COL DE TURINI TOUR

Words: Alessandro Marrone

Photography: Nazareno Distefano and Federico Vecchio

2 July 2017.

The third edition of the Col de Turini Tour has gone wild ending with an extraordinary result – that impassable smile painted on the face of all participants. Yep, there is nothing better than looking around, catching hot comments, that glitter in the eyes of those who had never driven on our beloved Turini, and noting that the magic shared with a group of driving enthusiasts has made its job, consecrating the 2017 edition as the best ever to date. A crescendo of emotions that, one hairpin after the other, has accompanied on the auspicious summit the expedition of about 90 crazy car nuts unleashed in search of the driving nirvana Sacred Grail. A warm summer sun filled the whole day, beginning to shine on the cars gathering at Stars’ n Bars in Montecarlo, for the usual accreditation process. In less than an hour, almost 40 between supercars and sports cars have literally invaded the area in front of the Monegasque local and after the group photo and a quick briefing, we were ready to take on the Col of wonders. A hell of revving engines, the air overheats starts to shiver, still partly unaware that this year’s edition would accompany them along a renewed itinerary, so that those who do not lose a single edition so far could live an always new and ever-growing experience as if it were the first. GoPros activated, smartphones out of the windows and eyes bouncing from left to right in the frantic search for counting all the cars lined up in a row – finally is the time to leave, with the convoy that goes immediately along the tunnels that from the Principality lead to Nice, in direction of La Turbie.

Things get clear quickly with the breathtaking view ascending towards La Turbie, but what perhaps catches the attention better than anything else is the opportunity to stretch the right foot and dive head-down in what really is the main event of our season. After driving a handful of miles to Menton, first intersection for Sospel and up the Col de Castillon – time to turn off traction control. The day is perfect and despite a timid traffic during the first few kilometers, the group remains quite compact. Exceptional also the variety of cars attending, with all the most prestigious brands represented (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Maserati, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Lotus, etc.), not to mention the fierce Toyota GT86s or the crazy Corvette C6 or the Alfa Romeo GT Junior Competizione, awarded with the special prize (a fantastic ceramic work of art created by artist Francesco Guarino), not only as the oldest car but because the team has milled over 850km to reach Monaco from Pescara. And then Esprit, 4C, AMGs and RM Autosport’s stunning Carrera GT, easily recognizable for not having taken a corner without a good old oversteer. Each of them has played a key role in making the day spectacular and with the arrival at the top, there are those who took the opportunity to cool engines and brakes and who did not miss the chance to drive along the Special Stage de La Bollène-Vésubie, laying their own wheels exactly where the WRC champions had raced a few months ago.

A driving experience embellished with a breathtaking view, descending to Lucérame, going up to the Col de l’Orme and the crazy switchbacks of the Col de Braus, ending with a cruise down the picturesque valleys around Peille and returning to the Principality of Monaco for the awards, the aperitif and the final greetings. Many had been dating themselves from the past editions, others met for the first time, but the spirit that fills the mind of a true driving enthusiast is something magical, which on such occasions comes out as spontaneous as the smile of a child and unites perfect strangers, welcoming them into a family that becomes more numerous and affectionate year after year.
Walking through the curves of the Col de Turini is an experience that needs to be lived in person, creates addiction and is able to take you a piece of your heart, waiting for the following one. And when, after a day like this, everything is over, the road becomes silent, with that crisp asphalt that smells of rubber and with clutch and petrol in the air to make the atmosphere surreal. There are no longer engine roars in the distance, but it seems to still hear some V8 or V10, a delayed braking or an anticipated acceleration specifically to widen the rear. Every year, describing this day, it is getting harder – reducing everything to a list of cars does not make justice. The Turini Tour is an experience that has to be felt because it is able to get inside you, in the depths, and in the same way it can make you fit perfectly with your car, in a way you would never think it was possible. Again this year we challenged the mountain, which tested us, especially when we thought we were acting like pros, but in fact it had only loosened the grip before we faced a more demanding curve than the previous one. We challenged it but we all came out victorious – Veni, Vidi, Vici – if only Julius Caesar was there with us, he would go over the Principality with his thumb up. See you next year drivers!

Auto Class wishes to thank all the participants and sponsors: Astoria, Capristo Exhaust, Circuiti Gioielli, Francesco Guarino, Gino Luxury & Motorsport, Giorgia Rossi Photography, RacetrackArt and Wrapping Italy, without forgetting the precious support of Petroledge, authors of the extraordinary photos.