le mitichie a bassano

The Riboldi/Sabbadini Fiat 508 Morettini which won first place honors.

Story and photos by Dino Brunori (Author of Enrico Nardi, A Fast Life)

This year the 19th edition of Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano sadly took place without the event founders, Danilo and Renato Calmonte, the brothers who invented the gathering of barchetta in Bassano. Both died last year just a few months apart, and we all missed their presence. But the seed they planted is now a strong tree and this year, 75 friends from all over the world –from Israel to Argentina, from USA to Emirates — came to Italy to make Bassano the capital of sports car enthusiasts for a very special three days in June. The Calmonte brothers can be very proud of what they’ve done. [Read more…] about Le Mitiche a Bassano, June 21-23, 2013

For many of us, Danilo Calmonte is ‘the captain’ of Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano. It is difficult to write ‘was’. Every barchetta aficionado knows about the fantastic event he and his brother Renato created about 20 years ago; participating in Le Mitiche at least once means that one is a real sports car enthusiast.

For the last ten years Danilo was fighting for his life against cancer, but only a few knew it. On February 23, 2012 Danilo lost his battle against lung cancer.

When he was young, Maserati stole his heart. In his collection sits a real jewel, a Maserati A6GCS 1954, the sole Maserati bodied by Scaglietti. Danilo used it regularly, attending all sorts of events, from the Mille Miglia to less known country fairs, always eager to meet people that share the same passion. That passion also brought him to manage his own F3 team in the 1970s, and to finance the career of Miki Biasion, (two time World Rally Champion with Lancia) as he started his profession.

Well, no more phone calls every week to talk about cars, friends, people and what to do for the next Mitiche. I’m gonna miss you, captain. And I’m sure not to be the only one.

Dino Brunori