The third revival of the Coppa Milano-Sanremo - 1º Trofeo Alfa Romeo, was a great success. Jointly organised by MAC Events and Meet Communicazione this C.S.A.I. touristic and regularity rally was promoted and funded by the Automobile Club of Milan. This year’s event started from the Monza Autodrome, which again made its Tazio Nuvolari Press Room available to the organizers for scrutineering, as well as its track and its invaluable expertise.

The "museum in motion" left the centre of Milan on Saturday March 12th, and traveled through the town of Corsico, via the stunning Piazza Ducale of Vigevano and then along scenic roads through Lomellina. This was followed by regularity tests, the first of which took place around Monterotondo before and after a lunch in the romantic cellars at the Monterotondo Resort in the Gavi area. The route offered spectacular scenery, particularly approaching the gulf of Tigullio, after having crossed over the Scoffera Pass. The first stage ended in Rapallo’s seafront promenade.

Sunday March 13: the rally started again from Rapallo at 09h00 and proceeded along the splendid Via Aurelia with its panoramic views. The participants arrived in Savona at 11h30 for a parade through the town centre. After lunch at the Fortezza Priamar, they proceeded via Pietra Ligure, Albenga and Imperia to Sanremo for the final Time Check.

THE WINNERS:

The winning crews were honoured at a prize giving ceremony at the Hotel Royal.

First place went to Giansante - Mosca in a 1956 Porsche 356 A 1600 SS of the Porsche Italia team, second Massara - Schira in a 1955 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider prototype, third Pellegrino- Bascio in a 1968 Lancia Fulvia Sport, fourth the 2004 winner Bongiorno-Lombardo in a 1962 Jaguar MK II and fifth, the 2003 winners Lui - Sassi in a 1958 Triumph TR3 A .

The 1º Trofeo Alfa Romeo was awarded to the highest placed Alfa Romeo in the general classification, the 1955 Giulietta Spider prototype of Massara-Schira.

First place in the women’s section was the team of Grimaldi- Mair in their 1930 Alfa Romeo 1750 GT Faux Cabriolet from the Museum Alfa Romeo di Arese. In total, the contestants covered a distance of approximately 400 km.

To demonstrate its presence and to highlight its illustrious history, Alfa Romeo entered a selection of 5 exceptional cars from its Museum in Arese. These included the undisputed Queen of this 2005 Revival, a priceless 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Le Mans. Other spectacular cars included a 1930 6C 1750 GT "Faux Cabriolet", which has never left the museum since its restoration, a 1954 1900 Sport Spider and a 1954 Alfa Romeo 2000 Sportiva, chosen as the symbol of the event. Also attracting much spectator attention were several pre-war vehicles including a 1922 Diatto Targa Florio, a 1925 Bugatti Type 35, a 1934 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Pescara, a 1934 Aston Martin MkII (one of the two Ulster Prototypes), a 1936 Bentley 4.25 L Supercharged, a 1933 Lagonda M45, a 1937 Jaguar SS100, a 1936 Auto Union Wanderer X25K, two splendid Alvis Speed models and two Fiat 508 S Coppa d’Oro.

Sporting qualities, elegance and historic value characterized a list of cars that included a 1948 FIAT 1100 Sport Stanguellini, a 1950 Alfa Romeo 2500 SS, a 1953 Maserati A6 GCS Pinin Farina, a 1953 Frazer Nash Targa Florio, a 1954 Ferrari 250 Monza Barchetta Scaglietti, a 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America, a 1956 Maserati 450 S and a 1961 Ferrari 250GT SWB.

Members of the Aston Martin Owners Club participated in some notable cars, including a 1959 DB2/4 Cabriolet, a 1960 DB4 SS, a 1965 DB5 and a 1966 DB6 from the English TOPS Club.

For more information please visit www.milano-sanremo.it

Text/Photos: Coppa Milano-Sanremo