2007 Sestriere Storico Historic Rally: 23rd - 24th June 2007.
When the opportunity arose to drive Lancia in the 2007 Sestriere Storico Historic Rally, I jumped at the chance. Lancia planned to parade the new Ypsilon Momo Sport, managing to compensate for its lack of historic appeal with its standard air-conditioning proving its worth under the scorching Italian sun. Not a Stratos, perhaps, but a great car with which to enjoy the Sestriere Rally.
The 120 participants of this, the 12th edition of this challenging Alpine regularity run left Turin’s Lingotto in a trail of smoke at 7:30 on the Saturday morning.Once rid of Turin’s busy traffic the first special stage was a blast around Fiat’s ‘La Mandria’ handling course with its narrow and challenging B-roads proving slightly too much for the oldest car of the event. Sounding more like a Spitfire fighter plane than anything on wheels, the 1921 Fiat 501 of Claudio Abate started to suffer from a rather wobbly front wheel, caused by a few broken spokes. Managing to continue for another 20 miles or so a swift wheel change was carried out most efficiently by the period-dressed Abate and his navigator before tackling the twisty approach up into the Alps.
This carefully planned route passed through various picturesque and unsuspecting villages where the inevitably brief sighting of Germano Borga’s race-prepared Lancia Stratos proved a feast for the senses with its guttural engine roar echoing around the narrow lanes and stirring the locals. A car with a very different history was a 1971 Giulia still sporting its original state police livery. Only in Italy could the actual police participate in such an event, with four teams competing in modern vehicles including a Fiat Stilo and an Alfa Romeo 159.
One of the rarer cars was the 1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider from the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo driven by Mille Miglia winner Luciano Viaro and talented navigator Alessandra Inverardi. Fresh from its outing at last months ‘Concorso D’Eleganza Torino’ was the Lancia Aurelia B20 of Remigio Cibin, still in fine form despite having never been restored or had any major work done. The other Aurelia Coupe on the event was driven by Frenchman Maurice Salmon whom, whilst climbing up to more than 2600m in the French Alps had to stop to prop open the bonnet to avoid over-heating. This was probably due to his enthusiastic driving style that also caused him to put a rear wheel off the road dangerously close to the edge.
Whilst for most people this event remains the perfect excuse to socialize and escape into the mountains with like-minded enthusiasts, it also qualifies for the Italian historic vehicle championship. After two days, 413 kilometers and 40 checkpoints the cars returned to Lingotto for the prize giving. Regularity races require restraint and precision above outright speed so it was no surprise to see Sergio Sisti’s 1937 Lancia Aprilia in first place closely followed by Francesco Di Pietra’s 1958 Fiat 600, both from the Squadra Corse Estense team of Ferrara.
Our ride was the new Lancia Ypsilon Momo Sport.
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There were many Lancias participating, this Fulvia at the starting gate.
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More Lancias lined up ready for the start of the historic rally.
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1921 Fiat 501 of Claudio Abate.
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The wonderful roads of the Sestriere Rally, in the heart of the Alpine ski country.
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Abarth Fiat catches a cone during a timed section.
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A Fluvia stops for repairs at a very picturesque town.
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Lancia 037 Rally also participated.
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Roadside stand with gastronomical delights.
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Fiat 2300 at the main square in Pinerollo.
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Overnight the cars were garaged--this Stratos about to take a well deserved rest.
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Lancias, old and new.
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