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Gentlemen’s Run 2022: Petrol & Nebbiolo
Driving across Langhe crystallizes time and drags you into the midst of an explosion of flavors and scents that mix petrol and oil with good food and excellent wine. The escape of the gentlemen widens its circle to a small delegation of modern sports cars. We found ourselves in Vicoforte and left for Barolo, taking the longest and most panoramic route possible.
Words Marco Rallo / Photos Andrea Fracchia
Petrol & Nebbiolo. In this order and plenty of them. Not that they necessarily were the only ingredients making the day of July 10th a moment to enhance the conviviality offered by the participating teams at a new edition of the Gentlemen’s Run, but without a doubt the scent of petrol and the fabulous taste of a few glasses of Nebbiolo had a key role in the success of the event. And since we like to offer an ever new experience, the 2022 edition has added unexpected surprises that have allowed a restricted number of crews to come with modern sports cars and thus experience firsthand the vintage-style escape that once again sees us picking the splendid Langhe as the ultimate emotional playground.
Meeting set in Vicoforte, where in the shadow of the magnificent Sanctuary we welcomed the thirty teams in time for a delicious breakfast at the Cioccolocanda of the master chocolatier Silvio Bessone. Macarons, croissants and sweets of all kinds have awakened the need for dark chocolate and anticipated an interesting guided tour of the so-called “Chocolate Museum”, complete with further tasting of various types of chocolate. Our opinion? All too tasty for being on a diet today. Quick briefing and in a moment the square of the Sanctuary is neatly invaded by the parading cars, captained by Remigio’s Lancia Fulvia. It is a dream convoy that sees timeless automotive classics alongside more recent icons and therefore modern sports cars. A few examples? The iconic Ferrari Testarossa, or the oldest of them all, a ‘57 Mercedes 220S Ponton, the FIAT 850 Sport Lampra – a one-off we presented on our pages a few months ago – passing through the engaging Alfa Romeo Duetto, Porsche 911 and 944, FIAT spider and sedans and some more recent models, including Cayman, Boxster, 997 Cabrio, Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale and a trio of Alfa Romeo 4C.
The tour immediately gets to the heart and taking advantage of roads almost completely free from traffic, the convoy crosses Niella Tanaro and reaches the first checkpoint in Marsaglia. A quick stop, making the most of the straw hats given to each participant and it is time to restart the engines for an involving section that crossed Bossolasco and Serravalle Langhe, to then compact the group again next to Montelupo Albese. Each stop is an excellent opportunity to chat, peek curiously under the hood of a car you’ve never seen before, or ask for information about that model you’ve always admired. Refueling, because even if with a few years on their shoulders these ladies love to drink and then we leave again towards Grinzane Cavour.
After the mandatory stop near the Red Giant Bench at the gates of La Morra, the enchanting backdrop of the Langhe region fills the view and guides the caravan towards Monforte d’Alba, before the last kilometers left for Barolo and then to the final destination, the Bricco delle Viole restaurant. The cars settle down literally invading the parking area and once again the particular combination of old glories and modern sports cars gives the idea of how successful the formula has been precisely because it allowed to live an experience of other times, in which the road and landscape can be more appreciated by virtue of a more relaxed pace that ends with a glass of bubbles to cool off a pretty hot day.
Chef Giorgio Politanò and his staff pamper us with a menu of genuine and delicate flavors, with a trio of appetizers that pave the way for a lunch based on exquisite food, good wine and warm laughters that confirm what true driving enthusiasts really need. Amid the din of voices and cutlery colliding, we take the opportunity to thank everyone here and give away some special prizes, underlining how much each participant has contributed to making the day an opportunity to breathe that need that embodies the spirit of a gentleman driver, like those who participated in a car younger than expected. A look outside, with the pieces of metal enjoying the rays of a July sun that made the roads traveled shine, still with the ticking of some mechanical organ that reminds us that these objects seem alive and that in any case have a soul.
A day that we would like to be able to repeat the very following morning, despite the heat, although it is necessary to wait a few hours before getting back at the wheel due to the Nebbiolo-based refueling. Today everything has a different rhythm, we celebrate driving pleasure, savoring every moment and there would be no better place to do all of this. A special thanks goes to the Municipality of Vicoforte for the great availability and kindness. See you next time gents’.
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