In the middle of last June we traveled to the beautiful town of Castell´Arquato to taste the international event for the first time Vernasca Silver Flag.
This test organized by the Club Piecentino Vintage Automoto It is celebrated 120 kilometers south of Milan. We could describe it as a 'dynamic contest' restoration and preservation of historic competition vehicles.
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At Vernasca Silver Flag there are around 200 sports classics
As an international event, among its participants there is everything: Italians, French, English, Germans ...
The parks and the exit of the climb are usually quite lively
04 Fiat Abarth Sport SE 1000 1966SP, speeding up the braking
1932 Studebaker Indianapolis
1949 Veritas BMW RS Prototype
This 1300 Abarth Simca 1967 is cheered on by the crowd
Organized by the Automobile Club Piacenza
910 Porsche 1967
Fiat 1400 from 1950. I participated in the Thousand Miles for three years, winning in its class in the 52
The different types of participants coexist without any problem in Vernasca
Ferrari 340 MM Scaglietti from 1953. Behind, the beautiful landscape
Nearby hilly scenery makes it easy to organize 'uphill' meetings
Castell Arquato, a beautiful and well-preserved village in the Emilia-Romagna region
Beautiful classic Fiat bus
This Peugeot coupe from the 70s was parked nearby. It's weird, weird, weird ...
Vernasca Silver Flag: A Historic Rise
The original Vernasca climb on which it is inspired dates back to 1953 and was held up to 17 times before Vernasca Silver Flag picked up the baton in 1994. The 9-kilometer route begins in Castell´Arquato and passes through Lugagnano to finish in Vernasca.
Since the Club Piecentino Vintage Automoto He resumed the test, there are already 22 editions that he has brought to fruition. Every year he tries to enrich it adding activities such as the Classic Track Day, in which the cars can show off in a series of open rounds at the Varano Circuit with free entry for the amateur public. This is done on Friday, to whet your appetite.
For two years the organization has devoted Friday to shooting at the Varano circuit
Two Lotus pass through the finish line of Varano
Serenissima Jet Competizione from 1965, with a 8CV V308. She looks serene, yes ...
Abarth OT 1600 Periscope from 1966
Lancia Fulvia Zagato, with all the drivers' props ready for action
Sometimes the participants were even older than 1900!
Vernasca Silver Flag retakes the historic Vernasca Climb (Courtesy of VSF)
The old climb took place between 1953 and 1972 (Loaned by VSF)
Triumph Asper from 1960. derived from TR3
In the foreground a Ginetta coupé, a small and capable English sports car
MG Magnette supercharged from 1931
Maserati A6GCS Sport 2000 from 1955
This Formula Lotus is not going to climb slowly ...
And here we have it, followed by a partner
Abarth SE027 2000 from 1974, a beast of the climbs
Lancia Fulvia, in support during its tour
Already on Saturday we proceed to face the climb itself. It is done in two shifts, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The route closes to traffic half an hour before the first launch, making the return by the same road. It is a huge eye strain for the viewer to see almost 200 high-caliber classics snaking through the black belt ...
On Sunday morning the last climb is executed, which ends with a stop, exhibition, awards ceremony and farewell in Vernasca.
Original Lancia Delta Integrale Safari from 1989. Driven that year by Alex Fiorio
Lancia Delta S2, a Group B in Vernasca
Maserati 6CM from 1938 with an extensive resume: Winner of the South African GP, Rome GP, and Targa Florio in 1939
Osca SF392 from 1960 second place in the own climb to Vernasca in 1961
Iso Rivolta and Fiat 8V. Two V8 engines but very different
One of the Abarth Periscopia is photographed on its way up the climb
Fiat 525SS
All the participants are high-flying, but the Italians above all, like this Alfa Romeo
It's a Fiat 500, who would have guessed?
Fiat 500C Berlinetta Maestri from 1947
Prewar Frazer Nash 'rat look'
A very well accompanied Brabham
As the reader can see, the purest racing cars also had their space
Abarth's to give and take. The magic of the Scorpion ...
The Abarths are the perfect machine for a climb, especially if it is Italian
Rare pieces often arouse expectation. Does any reader know what this is?
The reader has to know that the real action takes place in the last 4 kilometers of the route from Castell´Arquato to Vernasca, full of curves and where the participants try squeeze your mounts. Even though there are no times or winners, we can attest that most are well aired!
Regarding the paddocks, they are set up in Castell´Arquato (Arda and Europa Square) and are freely accessible to fans.
Lancia D25 chased by the English Lotus Eleven Le Mans and Cooper Jaguar Sport
There are no times or scores, but you have to see how they go!
Alfa romeo 33 Daytona from 1968. At the wheel Arturo Merzario, the man who saved Nikki Lauda
The pilot Arturo Merzario with his unmistakable cowboy hat (with which he drove)
Abarth OT 1300 from 1965. imposing
49 Cooper T1959 Monaco
Abarth 1000 SP from 1966 ex participant at Nurburgring in 1968 and Silverstone 1972
Lancia D25 from 1954, one of the stars of the brand's program in the 50s
Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS from 1931, a living legend of pre-war motorsport
Delahaye 135MS from 1936, another prewar gem
Paddock at Castell Arquato, with various Italian barchettas
Cars drive down a narrow, winding road in northern Italy
Austin Healey 100M Le Mans from 1955. Vintage participant at Silverstone or Donnigton
Allard J2X from 1952, with its 7-liter Cadillac mechanics
Alfa Romeo 1900 Barchetta from 1956. Beautiful, right?
Select participants, welcome audience
The participating vehicles are carefully selected by the organization from classics built from the early 1972th century to XNUMX. Cars manufactured after this year are also accepted but only if they have a great racing record. Thus, you can enjoy both vehicles that have participated in the original test such as the Thousand Miles, Le Mans, Goodwood or Nurburbring, among others.
Ultimately, Vernasca Silver Flag es a highly recommended event which has also received us with open arms. No classism and a lot of passion for motorsports, as it happens in most European international events.
The roads of Castell de Arquato are filled with strange machinery at the end of June
The environment of Castell´Arquato-Lugagnano-Vernasca is really beautiful
If we like Italian barchettas from the 50s in Vernasca we will see a few
250 Maserati 1956S
Lancia Aprilia Barchetta from 1939 ex participant at Nurburgring in 1950 and at Hockenheim 1951
1950 Lancia Ardea Pasqualin Parisotto
Fiat Abarth record Monza former participant in Sebring
Abarth 1000 Bialbero from 1964, downhill
Fiat 501S from 1922 23CV and 1500cc
1100 Fiat Gilco 1949 Sport Siluro
Ferrari 340 America Vignale from 1953, ex mille miglia
1955 Cooper Maserati Sport
365 Ferrari 1969 GT, with the legendary Colombo V12 engine
Alfa Romeo 1900 Pantera of the Italian police. It seems quite suitable for chases… 😉
Collector Corrado Lopresto with his 1954 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Prototype
Time to go. Until next year!
unai ona
