The extraordinary race that honour the unforgettable myth of Nivola started this morning from Piazza Sordello More than 300 crews from all over the world, 95 the pre-war cars at the start 19-20-21-22 September 2019, 2019 September 20

The extraordinary race that honour the unforgettable myth of Nivola started this morning from Piazza Sordello More than 300 crews from all over the world, 95 the pre-war cars at the start 19-20-21-22 September 2019

09/20/2019

Mantova, September 20th 2019 – The 29th edition of the Gran Premio Nuvolari, the most technical race in Italy started this morning. From the 20th to the 22nd of September, the international world of classic cars converge in Mantua - the town in which the Gran Premio starts and arrives. Cars of timeless charm arrived to celebrate the myth of Tazio Nuvolari: the sportsman who more than anyone else has marked the history of the twentieth century.

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.

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.

“Tazio Nuvolari is a world-renowed idol and an icon of our city, a myth that we should be able to exploit more and more”, adds Mattia Palazzi, Mayor of Mantova.

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 details of the 29th edition:

Presences: with over 300 crews from all over the world, of which 6 are female, the foreign presence stands at 65%, confirming the success of the Gran Premio Nuvolari format, organized for 29 years by Mantova Corse with experience and professionalism.

Admission period for the cars: from 1919 to 1972.

Route: this 29th edition proposes a largely renovated 1025 km-long route.

- First stage: the Gran Premio Nuvolari left this morning at 11 am from Piazza Sordello in the hearth of Mantova. This first day of competition, enchanted by the lunch break at Golf Club Ca’ degli Ulivi of Marciaga, will wind between the Garda Lake, the stamp time control in Torri del Benaco, the Baldo mountains and the Po Valley, Castel d’Ario, birthplace of Tazio Nuvolari, ending in Bologna at Fico Eataly World the largest agri-food park in the world.

-Second stage: the most intense day of the GPN. On Saturday 21st September, after the departure from Bologna, the competitors will drive through the unique sceneries of central Italy, transiting from the famous Appenine passes of the Raticosa and the Futa. Then, they will pass through fascinating locations such as Piazza del Campo in Siena and Piazza Grande in Arezzo. After the suggestive break in Borgo Scopeto, in the afternoon, the crews will cross the Viamaggio Pass, reaching the finish line in Piazza Tre Martiri in Rimini. In the evening, the Gala dinner will be held in the unique setting of the Grand Hotel of Rimini, among its ancient salons in “belle époque” style.

-Third stage: on Sunday 22nd September, the crews will head back to Mantua. Starting from Rimini, the competitors will experience the chrono trials of Meldola and the passage from Faenza, as guests of the Scuderia Toro Rosso. Then they will face the chrono trials of the Autodromo of Imola Enzo and Dino Ferrari: a unique experience rich in adrenaline, in a place rich of history. Later, the cars will pass through Ferrara, facing the new trials of Piazza Trento e Trieste. Lastly, the cars will arrive on the stage of Piazza Sordello, and they will take part in the closing lunch at Palazzo Ducale.

Special crews:

Tazio’s car - the legend: Nuvolari’s car will symbolically open the event, with the number 1 aboard the Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Gran Sport, the mythical car with which the flying Mantuan won the Mille Miglia in 1930, after a head to head with Achille Varzi.

Also this year Miki Biasion – the legendary rally driver, twice world champion, Brand Ambassador of Eberhard & Co. – will return to the GPN with the number 197, driving an Alfa Romeo 1900 C Super Sprint of 1956 next to Mario Peserico, CEO of Eberhard Italia.

With Red Bull to the Scuderia Toro Rosso of Faenza: on Sunday 22nd September, the historic cars of the Gran Premio Nuvolari will stop for a stamp control in Piazza del Popolo, Faenza. On this occasion, they will parade alongside the super modern F1 cars that have worn the colors of the Scuderia Toro Rosso for over 10 years.

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 (03rd-08th 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.