Col de Turini Tour: The Signs On The Asphalt Tell The Story

5 July 2021 Redazione Events, News, Stories

COL DE TURINI TOUR

GOOD TO BE BACK!

Words Andrea Albertazzi / Photos Giorgia Rossi

After the forced break of 2020, the Col de Turini Tour has regularly regained its place in the agenda of those events that every self-respecting driving enthusiast cannot miss. The traditional binge of switchbacks that have littered pages of magazines and books dedicated to the world of rallying is finally back in its place and opening the 2021 season of our escapes has gathered over 35 crews from all over Italy, France and San Marino on the heights of the Principality of Monaco. Petrolheads, but in the true sense of the word, like those who talk with their car and not only when they park it in the garage at the end of the day, but those who know exactly the magic words useful for braking to the limit or how to slaughter some rubber. And so another cheerful day on the road proved to be the healthiest and most effective solution to the apprehensions that the whole world has been experiencing for over a year.

Strictly following all the rules dictated by the current health situation, the crews arrived at the meeting place for registration, allowing themselves a packed breakfast while waiting for the line-up of cars to be complete. This year there is everything, from the inevitable Porsche squadron to the delegation of hot hatchbacks, including the spicy news that has given new shape to the sense of heartbeat – the new Toyota GR Yaris (two here), passing through Maserati, Mustangs, Lamborghini Murcielago, Ferrari 488 GTB and a trio of Lancia Delta, including two creatures created by rally driver Riccardo Errani, who brought a 1 km/l WRC version (yes, you read that right!) and the incredible Erre 20 Safari, an orange giant specifically designed for the legendary Dakar and ready to conquer the summit of the Turini.

Each approach is different, especially depending on the wheels that give you traction. Alberto’s BMW M2 knows something about it, perfectly at ease sideways at every single hairpin. And then Alfa Romeo 4C, AMG C43, BMW 128 ti, two Alpine A110s, Peugeot 308 GTI, Subaru (BRZ and Impreza WRX STI), Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio, Mazda MX-5, RenaultSport Clio RS and so on, obviously without forgetting the cars chosen by our staff and ‘bout which you will read more on our pages: the brand new Ford Puma ST and Audi S3.

Leaving what probably is the only place big enough around Monaco and heading towards Menton, the road leading to Sospel begins to take shape, gradually becoming freer and tickling that desire to fully press the throttle. Of course, the Col de Turini is not a playground for speed, but rather an experience that finds its maximum expression in that incredible sound pit that bounces off the rock walls in the middle of which you launch yourself, as soon as you pass the very few villages that divide Castillon from Moulinet. There is smell of brakes, of burnt rubber, as those typical stone walls immediately bring to mind the images of rally champions who have written incredible pages of one of the most beautiful and pure sports ever. It is here that the driver/car relationship becomes something more, something useful to approach the mechanical limit of your car, following the one in front of you and keeping an eye on the group that peeks out in the rearview mirror at every switchback.

After an indefinite number of curves we reach the summit of Col de Turini, which with its 1,607 meters above sea level is no alpine giant, but knows how to have its say in terms of emotions and driving involvement, certainly facilitated by the charm and magic that the place holds for enthusiasts and connoisseurs of petrol engines and motorsport. Short coffee break and for those who wish – simply for the fact that we are a bit late on the schedule – there is time to tackle up and down the hairpin bends that lead to La Bollène-Vésubie and then regroup along the road that crosses Peira-Cava and continue for Lucerame, opting for the junction that we consider the most scenic, as well as less busy. Another group stop in L’Escarène and then again at full throttle on the Col de Braus, the legendary serpent of bends that chases its own tail. Final stop on the last “col” of the day, the Col de Brouis, for a well-deserved lunch at the Auberge entirely reserved for the participants of this edition of the tour.

This time we had to wait 24 months, but it was damn worth it. Jack, the dog/mascot of the day, thinks this as well while looking for a bit of shade and some cuddles, navigator of the Team of friends and partners of WrappingItaly, here together with the aforementioned Errani. The signs on the asphalt tell the story, the magic in the air, the hot comments and the smiles of those who share a passion for cars that every year expands our great and wonderful family and that makes the image of driving experience that we all love, the one identified by a sports car grappling with a mountain road together with the right people. We do not need much more. And we’re ready for the next climb.