Monday 31 March 2014

Camucia Cortona European Hill Climb Championship April 2014

Today I want to introduce newcomers to the Camucia Cortona European Hill Climb Championship April 2014. Since 1930, FIA, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, has organised a series of short, intense road races in which various categories of cars race against the clock, on an uphill course along a public road. These routes are scattered all over Europe, from Portugal to Slovakia, and one of them is the winding road from Camucia to Cortona. The Hillclimb Camucia Cortona was conceived and is organised by Fabrizio Fondacci, director of the Italian Grand Prix Formula 1, in conjunction with the race director of Camucia Cortona, Marcello Cecilioni.
Camucia Cortona European Hill Climb Championship April 2014
Vintage car in last year's Camucia Cortona European Hill Climb Championship
Every year, the highly skilled and motivated drivers take part under the three categories established by the FIA. The first category consists of the cars manufactured up until 1969, the second up to 1975, the third up to 1981. The two-seater racing cars made before 1990 make an additional group. The Hillclimb Camucia Cortona offers authentic charm, with its natural setting, difficult road, drivers who are truly driven, intrepid racing, finely honed engineering and proximity with the public.

A modern, high performance car taking part in the Camucia Cortona Hill Climb
A modern, high performance car taking part in the Camucia Cortona Hill Climb
This is thus a great event for car enthusiasts, both participants and spectators, whether your interest is vintage cars, racing cars or modern classics. If you will be observing rather than driving, the idea is to show up fairly early before the event and station yourself at a strategic point on the route, preferably one that will give your a good photographic angle as well as letting you see the drivers handling corners. The official test run takes place on Saturday, 12 April, starting at 3 pm. The competition itself takes place on Sunday, 13 April, starting at 10 am.

Camucia Cortona Hill Climb Rally
Camucia Cortona Hill Climb Rally
If you decide to come to Cortona for the Hill Climb and to stay for lunch or dinner in Cortona during the event, I strongly suggest you make table reservations.

Last but not least, here's a video that gives some idea of what it's like to drive in this rally on board a Lucchini SN88 Alfa Romeo 3000V6. Enjoy!


Borgo di Vagli restored mediaeval hamlet in Tuscany
Borgo di Vagli has been authentically restored as a Tuscan vacation hamlet. The residences can be bought in the form of fractional ownerships, making a holiday home in Tuscany possible at modest cost.

Fulvio Di Rosa
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