Passanante and De Alessandrini winners of the 29th edition of the Gran Premio Nuvolari, 2019 September 22

Passanante and De Alessandrini winners of the 29th edition of the Gran Premio Nuvolari

09/22/2019

Mantova, September 22th 2019 – The 29th edition of the Gran Premio Nuvolari, ended today with the triumph of the crew n. 72 composed by Mario Passanante and Raffaele De Alessandrini – F.M. Franciacorta Motori driving a 1937 Fiat 508 C. The crew, which led the competition during the first two days, demonstrated great ability and competence in the last special trials. This victory arrives after ten years when in 2009 Mario Passanante driving the same car, crossed the finish line in Piazza Sordello.

“It couldn't go better than this, I'm really happy! I have already won the Gran Premio Nuvolari twice, in 2008 and 2009, and this year we finally managed to repeat the success. We are car enthusiasts, and winning an event of this level is invaluable, because it is not easy to manage an 80-year-old car for more than 1000 km. I won thanks to my co-driver Raffaella” - declared Mario Passanante. "It was a very challenging race, but really beautiful. I've already participated in the Gran Premio Nuvolari but I never managed to win: this is a great emotion”. - adds Raffaella De Alessandrini.

At the second place, the crew n.94 composed by Giovanni Moceri and Himara Bottini driving a 1939 Fiat 508 C. Moceri, despite the great performance, he did not manage to succeed like during the 28th edition.

Third classified, the crew composed by Andrea Vesco e Manuela Tanghetti (n.34) driving a 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS, protagonists of a great performance.

The Gran Premio is a unique opportunity to get a close-up view of these legendary vintage cars that have made the history of motor racing worldwide. These masterpieces met, as every year, in Piazza Sordello for one of the most fascinating races in the world. The myth of the great “Nivola” is always strong and present: it relives every year, thanks to the many enthusiasts who share the emotion of an extraordinary journey aboard real historic masterpieces of mechanics and design.

This year marks a record number of presences: more than 300 crews arrived in Mantova, from Europe, Asia and Australia. 17 countries represented: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, Great Britain, Italy, Luxembourg, Holland, Poland, Czech Republic, Republic of San Marino, Russia, Spain and Switzerland. 45 car manufacturers competing: from the Italian Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Fiat, Lancia, OM and Ferrari to the British Triumph, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Bentley; from the American Chrysler and Chevrolet, to the German Mercedes, BMW and Porsche, finishing with the French “purebred” Bugatti. 95 pre-war cars take part in the event.

During this 29th edition, the more than 300 crews dealt with a renovated 1025 km-long route:

- First stage: from Mantova to Bologna through the Garda Lake, the Baldo mountains and the Po Valley.

-Second stage: from Bologna to Rimini through fascinating locations of central Italy, the well-known Appenine passes of the Raticosa and the Futa, and the extraordinary beautiful cities of Siena and Arezzo.

-Third stage: from Rimini to Mantova, Faenza, the Autodromo of Imola Enzo and Dino Ferrari and Ferrara.

Organized by Mantova Corse, the regularity event is only for historic cars built between 1919 and 1972, according to the F.I.A., F.I.V.A., ACI Storico and ACI Sport regulations.

As usual, the Gran Premio Nuvolari is supported by prestigious sponsors: Red Bull, “Special Partner”; Eberhard & Co., "Official Partner & Timekeeper" for the 30th consecutive year; Finservice Group, "Technical Partner" and leader in the field of financial consulting; Argo Racing, "Technical Partner", supplier of car GPS systems, Siglacom, "internet provider"; Fico Eataly World, the agri-food park that symbolizes the Italian culinary tradition in the world, Gruppo Bossoni Automobili, "Technical Partner".

The event in honor of Tazio Nuvolari constitutes the second stage of “EpocaChampionship”, the Italian “Grandi Eventi” Championship of Aci Sport, which also includes the Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti (18th-21st July 2019), the Targa Florio (10th-13th October 2019) and the Coppa delle Alpi by 1000 Miglia (3rd-8th December 2019).

The Gran Premio Nuvolari is organized in partnership with the Municipality of Mantova, the Automobile Club Italia and ACI Storico and is part of the calendar of Mantova Città Europea dello Sport.