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The Porsche Run – Our 70th Anniversary At The Salone Auto in Turin
THE PORSCHE RUN
Words by Alessandro Marrone
Photography by Federico Vecchio
Birthday parties are always difficult to organize, but when you have to pay homage to one of those symbols representing the ultimate expression of sportiness and the constant evolution that cannot help but putting its roots in the forefront, everything takes an even more special meaning. Anniversaries are then an excuse like many to get some extra gifts, to drink a little more at lunch and especially to turn the key and grind some smile/kilometer as you all should do with these steering wheels in hands. We are talking about the 70th anniversary of Porsche, which happened precisely on the occasion of what, despite having just reached its fourth edition, seems to represent the most important automotive event on the Italian territory and certainly a magnet for car guys from all over Europe, the Automobile Show held at the Parco del Valentino in Turin between June 6th and 10th.
And while in every innermost corner of the globe, every Porsche dealer and club organized their own celebrations, in that of Turin there was a succession of parades and exhibitions, which starting from the first day and culminated on that of Saturday, the moment in which our group has joined the cars brought by the Italian historical registers in Piazza Castello, undoubtedly the ideal setting to emphasize the immortal lines of the Stuttgart’s horse, put on display for a large crowd that has literally assaulted them with selfies and photos of every kind. Our tribute, the so-called “Porsche Run”, has been an experiment, as distinctly different from what we are used to do, and since the focus of the day would have been the exhibition in the square and the visit to the Valentino Park, we tried to create something that could unite the characteristic that has always distinguished every event branded Auto Class Magazine – the desire to drive – with the static part, involving the fans and sharing with them this amazing birthday party. All this, in close collaboration with the guys from the Porsche Club Italy.
THE RUN
The alarm, in days like these, always sounds different. Maybe it’s for the first lights of dawn which are increasingly delicate and the air still sparkling, or maybe it’s that typical adrenaline that begins to enter your body and that as you approach the place decided for the meeting and registration, makes you understand that everything is finally taking shape. There has been a lot of work behind the scenes, even more than usual, even though there are only fifty kilometers to drive, instead of the usual hundreds that lead us to roam among the most beautiful Alpine passes in Europe. Everything has been carefully studied to offer to the selected participants a complete experience, which was able to enhance a high level reception and that starts at the American Graffiti in Cambiano, a dozen of kilometers from Turin. The American bar, despite the logical inclination to the “Made in the USA” motto, immediately proves to be the right choice, allowing the cars to be placed right in front of it, where the participants had a more than abundant breakfast, waiting for the briefing and for taking off.
The decision to involve a limited number of cars was dictated above all by the possibility of finding high traffic entering Turin and so the 13 cars (we are not superstitious!) have been parked side by side, creating the usual wave of wedges that only the unmistakable Porsche sides b can create. There are modern 911, including two Targa, a nice trio of GT3, a GT3 RS, some Cayman, Boxster and to represent the very antipodes, we have a brand new 991.2 Turbo S and a 1967 911 T. The big wings are always between the most admired, especially when they show off a livery like that of the Cayman GT4 made by Garage Italia Customs, which also won one of our special prizes. But the time for pleasantries is over and the group is ready to set off for Turin, obviously not without having first grounded some horses along the panoramic road that leads to the Basilica of Superga. The convoy is literally kissed by luck and we drive under a fantastic blue sky, with the snake of Porsches that crosses a handful of villages, before entering the Strada dei Colli. It is here that the spirit of every driver comes to life like climbing a couple of gears, throw off the right foot and enjoy that marriage between chassis and engine that Porsche has been exalting for seventy years. The road is not just for us, but it often happens that through crossings the whole traffic remain still letting us slide to the last car, sometimes applauding or taking some photos, trying to capture our small parade.
After a quick photo break in front of the splendid Basilica, we get back on board and head towards the city centre, anxious to put the wheels in the Turin lounge and join the rest of the event. The second part of the small driving tour is necessarily slower and more relaxed and when we enter the main streets, it is inevitable that the group can’t remain compact. Not bad, because we reach on time the final checkpoint and we are greeted by the staff who help us to arrange the cars in front of Palazzo Madama, next to other Porsches came directly here and the official Porsche hospitality, which delivers the special stickers of the 70th. Not even the time to get off the cars that we are already surrounded by curious and enthusiasts, ready to assail you with the most varied questions, noting how cars are always able to unite people and make them all feel part of one big family, regardless of the model they drive, whether they are simple fanatics or lucky enough to hold one of those prestigious steering wheels in their hands. Quick transfer to the “Circolo dei lettori” restaurant for a lavish lunch, waiting to go to the Valentino Park with a private bus and admire all the exhibitors present at the event.
So what do you want more? Beautiful cars, beautiful people and a sunny day with the deepest love for cars. Of course, for the more racing-focused guys like some members of the Porsche Club Italy and especially for our loyal mountain roads climbers, a few more corners would not have bad, but to be honest the event and the attention were directed to the exhibition in occasion of the Turin Show. And as in every self-respecting driving day, the best way to measure its success is to see a lot of smiling, tired and deeply satisfied faces. The Porsche Run has been for us the best way to combine different facets in a single container that types of antipodal fans live individually in a different way from each other. Everything was in the very right place and we are ready for the next adventure, one of those you eat less and drive more – but you already knew that!
We would like to thank the Organizing Committee of the Salone dell’Automobile, in the people of Andrea Levy and Gabriele Morosini, for their precious collaboration and for having involved us in this wonderful experience that we are sure can be the beginning of a long and fruitful series of future events.
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