Raduno europeo dell'anno - Gabicce Mare, 24/30 maggio 2010
clicca qui per scaricare la presentazione
click here for English presentation
La VIII edizione di MG BY THE SEA, il raduno internazionale che ogni due anni viene organizzato dall’MG Car Club d’Italia – Registro Italiano MG, si è svolto come di consueto sulla costa adriatica, avendo Gabice Mare quale località di riferimento e centro nel quale si trovavano tutti gli alberghi nei quali hanno soggiornato i partecipanti nell’arco della settimana dal 24 al 30 Maggio.
Qesta edizione ha avuto una valenza speciale perché durante la sessione della Conferenza Europea MG del 2008, i club la hanno nominata Raduno Europeo MG dell’Anno 2010. Ogni anno il raduno europeo è assegnato ad una nazione diversa e l’Italia, con il nostro club, lo ha ospitato per la seconda volta. Oltre all’onore di poter ospitare questa manifestazione, molti dei partecipanti stranieri che ogni anno segue il calendario europeo, è voluto venire in Italia per sperimentare un raduno speciale “Italian Style”. A 18 anni di distanza dal primo raduno svoltosi nel 1992, per la prima volta in Italia abbiamo avuto un raduno con 200 MG, con una schiacciante preponderanza di equipaggi stranieri. Come sempre il successo di questo raduno va ricercato nell’ospitalità che Gabicce Mare e tutte le località toccate hanno riservato ai partecipanti, al ricco programma offerto, agli itinerari studiati e scelti dai nostri soci romagnoli, alla scorta della Polizia Stradale che nei 6 giorni è stata fonte di sicurezza e ha permesso agili trasferimenti. Certo però, non dimentichiamoci che una cucina curata ovunque si andasse e la grande fortuna di una settimana di bel tempo, hanno amplificato tutto il resto. A tutto questo bisogna aggiungere che l’assistenza meccanica specializzata messa a disposizione ha permesso ai pochi casi di emergenza verificatisi, di proseguire il “tour”. Solo 2 vetture sono tornate in patria (Francia e Inghilterra) col carro attrezzi, ma bisogna dire che ambedue erano già state riparate proprio prima di partire senza avere avuto il tempo di provarle. Tra le vetture presenti, anche se non MG, ha destato ammirazione una delle due Lamborghini Gallardo, in dotazione alla Polizia Stradale, che ci ha accompagnato i primi tre giorni della manifestazione e la rarissima Alfa Romeo Giulia Giardinetta del 1970, dal museo della Polizia Stradale. Per gli amanti delle statistiche, le vetture anteguerra presenti erano dal 1933 al 1939, con i modelli L, L2, NB, ND, PA, SA, TB e K3 replica, mentre tra le dopoguerra, i modelli erano tutti rappresentati, le più numerose sono state le 49 MGB e poi 36 MGA, 13 MGTC, 11 MGTF, 11 MGBV8, 10 MGTD e, a seguire, Midget e RV8. Tra le moderne, 28 tra MGF e TF, MGZR, MGZS, MGZT. Non è stata ancora menzionata, perché molto particolare, una MGYA Cabriolet del 1947, esemplare unico, in ottimo stato di conservazione, creazione di un famoso carrozziere svizzero che, esposta al salone di Ginevra del 1947, fu comprata, e rimasta in famiglia, dal padre dell’attuale proprietario. Particolare menzione va ai 3 equipaggi australiani che hanno spedito le loro vetture con un container, espressamente per partecipare al raduno. Erano due MGL del 1933 ed una MGTD del 1950. Altra particolare menzione va all’equipaggio più giovane. Cosa dire di Guy e Miriam che dal Lussemburgo sono arrivati su strada su una MGNB del 1934, con una bimba di tre anni ed una, udite udite, di due mesi? Ma non basta, durante tutto il raduno non hanno tirato su la cappotta neanche durante i dieci minuti di acquazzone che la fortuna ci ha regalato, tanto per far vedere che piove anche in Italia!
Sempre per gli amanti delle statistiche, i partecipanti per nazione sono stati:
Australia 3,
Austria1,
Belgio 8,
Danimarca 32,
Finlandia 1,
Francia 15,
Germania 12,
Irlanda 1,
Italia 29,
Lussenburgo 1,
Norvegia 1,
Olanda 38,
Portogallo 2,
Regno Unito 29,
Svezia 2,
Svizzera 19.
Il programma ci ha portato:
martedì 25 al Castello di Frontone, per un totale di 183 Km, teatro delle contese tra i Montefeltro ed i Malatesta. Il pranzo all’aperto nel borgo;
mercoledì 26 a Sansepolcro, 228 Km, patria di Piero della Francesca, con un itinerario che ha toccato Emilia Romagna, Toscana, Umbria e Marche. Il pranzo sotto i portici;
giovedì 27 a Corinaldo, Km140, città costruita su una collina e circondata da mura del 1300, percorribili e lunghe 912 mt. Al centro di contese tra guelfi e ghibellini. Il pranzo sotto i portici del palazzo del comune;
venerdì 28 a Fossombrone, 136 Km, fondata dai romani (Forum Sempronii) lungo la via Flaminia, ebbe particolare benessee tra il 1600 e 1700 per la produzione della seta. La città ha organizato un mini concerto dei giovani della scuola di musica di mandolino e poi pranzo all’aperto lungo il corso;
sabato 29 a Pesaro, 54 Km, fondata dai romani come colonia nei territori degli antichi Piceni, diventò subito importante per i commerci e artigianato. Nel rinascimento fu sotto i Malatesta, gli Sforza ed i Rovere. Ha dato i natali a Gioacchino Rossini;
domenica 30 alle Grotte di Frasassi, 214 Km, scoperte nel 1975, si estendono per molti Km, La grotta più ampia potrebbe contenere il duomo di Milano. Il pranzo nel vicino ristorante, con i saluti di fine raduno: il momento più triste della settimana a causa degli addii.
Oltre alle attività giornaliere, sono state organizzati dei dopo-cena con trasporto in pulman al Castello di Gradara, con rievocazione in costume con danze dell’epoca, duelli e fuochi d’artificio; alla Tenuta del Tempio Antico, con prodotti tipici, dolci e vino a volontà e tanta musica che ha invitato i più ad esibirsi in balli di gruppo ed individuali, ed infine la serata di gala con premiazione alla famosa Hostaria del Castello, a Gradara, con spettacolo di illusionisti e poi musica fino a quando si è voluto.
Come sempre, una intera settimana insieme cementa le vecchie amicizie e ne permette di nuove. D’altro canto il motto mondiale non è a caso ….”MG, il marchio dell’amicizia”! Passato il momento magico, ora si pensa già a quando e dove rivedersi la prossima volta.
A conclusione di raduno non possiamo fare a meno di ringraziare chi ha permesso, con il proprio contributo, lo svolgimento del più grande raduno di MG nella nostra nazione. Cominciando dagli amici romagnoli Fausto, Franco e Paolo che con grande impegno hanno regalato ai partecipanti degli itinerari fantastici e per far questo hanno percorso 1500 Km di ricognizione. Per poi continuare con il nostro partner, Gruppo Albergatori di Gabicce Mare, e più precisamente Letizia, che mettendo a nostra disposizione la loro expertise ed iniziativa hanno fatto l’impossibile per dare quella valenza in più che ci è stata riconosciuta a livello europeo. Infatti siamo orgogliosi per la presenza al nostro raduno, dei responsabili degli MGCC europei e del Manager delle Attività fuori del Regno Unito (Overseas Manager) dell’MGCC UK, Paul Plummer. Altro punto degno di nota è che per la prima volta è stato presente ad un raduno europeo, il club portoghese.
E per concludere, come sempre, un sentito ringraziamento anche a tutti i partecipanti che con la loro presenza decretano il successo di un raduno, con particolare riguardo a quelli italiani che con il loro calore danno la spinta a continuare nel difficile compito dell’organizzazione dei raduni.
Fabio Filippello
VIII MG By The Sea
European Event of the Year 2010
by
Rauno & Ann Halme
1951 MG TD Mark II
If you’re looking for another instalment in the tales of our technical woes, then I’m happy to report that you’ll be disappointed: we had no major technical breakdowns this time – a record!!
Getting there – 15 to 23 May
Saturday & Sunday. With the temperature in Helsinki a mere 25oC, we topped up the fuel, boarded the boat at Vuosaari and were enjoying a drink on the deck as we weighed anchor and sailed off into the sunset. Meals on board were almost the only entertainment (and we did enjoy them!) and we arrived in Rostock on time early on Monday morning. We intended to avoid autobahns and only travel on secondary roads as we suspected that passes over the Alps could still be blocked by snow after the heavy winter, so we planned to go more to the east around the mountains. (40 kms. so far)
Monday was rather fresh, and we found ourselves adding more and more clothes as we drove along, until by evening we were in full gear – fur-lined leather helmets, jackets, leather coats, gloves . . . but at least it didn’t actually rain – until we finally found a hotel in Görlitz which is in Germany tucked into the corner where Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic meet. (520 kms. today)
Tuesday we started off for Poland (i.e. just down the hill and around the corner), prepared our passports, visas, yellow health certificates, customs declarations, money exchange, complete with a few sweeteners to smooth the way . . . well, we would have if we had had most of them and we were still looking for the border when we found we were already in Poland. In fact, the only times we needed any documentation during the whole holiday was when booking into hotels, and then only as a formality – a delightful contrast from just a few years ago. We “did” Poland in about 30 minutes, and drove in the still rather cool air through the Czech Republic to near Brno where we found a motel in which everyone was gathered around the TV watching the Czechs win their ice-hockey match against Canada. (385 kms).
Wednesday we entered Austria at about 10 a.m. It was nice to be getting into more interesting scenery and mountains after the almost continuous flat plains and farming country we had been going through until now. We enjoyed a warm-up and our first strudel at 1,025mt. at Annaberg, and later found accommodation at a Post Gasthof not far from Graz. Weather was still cool, but at least we occasionally saw a bit of sunshine. (408 kms.)
Thursday morning dawned still overcast and fresh, so we decided not to spend any time in Austria but to head south to the sunshine and sea. We drove over the Radlpass and entered Slovenia at 10:30, and eventually stopped at a pension near the coast just south of Trieste. While driving through Trieste we had two greetings in Finnish – one, “Hieno auto!” [*] from the back window of a passing car, and a Kone van tooted at us. Friday, still overcast but slightly warmer, we had a leisurely drive around the coast to a hotel on the beach at Caorle, and in the afternoon walked through the old town there, enjoying gelati and drinks at the beach kiosks. (530 kms. in 2 days.)
Saturday, and at last the weather was warming up – around 20oC, and we could at last leave off our furs. (While we had been suffering in the cold in Europe, Helsinki had been enjoying a heatwave with temperatures around 25-30 oC which we thought most unfair.) We drove to Imola, found an Albergo not far from the racecourse, and enjoyed a walk to it where we watched part of an F3 race which was running (atrocious noise, unbelievably more than what we hear from TV), and then later the start and some of a GT race complete with (minor) crash. In the souvenir shop we met another MG-er heading for Gabicce Mare. (267 kms.)
Sunday, still sunny and warm (to our malicious delight, as Helsinki had reverted to round
15 oC), we drove to San Marino where we found a hotel, and thoroughly enjoyed walking around looking at the beautiful town, the scenery, and buying souvenirs. (205 kms.)
Being There – 24 to 30 May
Monday we arrived in Gabicce Mare at midday and were greeted by Fabio and the team as old friends. After receiving our road book (very comprehensive, including maps), jackets, T-shirts and various other “goodies” we booked into the Hotel San Marco where the staff also greeted us as old friends. We spent the afternoon re-acquainting ourselves with the town, the beach, and especially “Ciro’s” (the unofficial MG bar).
After dinner everyone congregated at the Astra theatre where we received the official welcome and briefing, and enjoyed a glass of champagne while introducing ourselves to other participants. .
We learned that we had been fortunate with the weather on our drive here – many had had very wet, miserable drives across Europe. (40 kms.)
This year there were 193 cars registered during the week and more over the weekend, ranging in age from 1933 to 2005, from 16 different countries. Over dinner we had heard the sad tale of the one Irish participant, whose MGC had been involved in an accident only three weeks before – the car behind had pushed them into the car in front sufficiently badly to write it off. Fabio had still insisted that they attend the meeting and ride with the organisers or pick-up vehicle, and still enjoy the camaraderie and general MG atmosphere.
Tuesday we all assembled in the market square, roughly sorting out the convoy in order of type and age of the cars. Everyone was particularly keen to see the Australian entrants, two 1933 MG-Ls and one 1950 TD, which had been shipped in a container from Brisbane to Italy – the team were planning to round off their European holiday by driving the route of the Mille Miglia. We then set off with the police escort for Frontone, the police Lamborghini setting a rather stiff pace for the convoy but even the older ones were capable of maintaining the pace even up and down the rolling hills. In fact, that day the breakdown vehicle had to attend about 10 cars, mostly for overheating (and mostly MGAs!) as the temperature reached 31 oC during the day. The one more serious breakdown was one of the Australian cars, which had broken its drive shaft.
We parked just below the tower of Frontone castle which dominates the area together with its old village. A generous lunch was served at several tables set in the garden, the bar, and in the rear area which had a good view over the valley. It was fascinating, in its own way, to see the chef stirring his “witch’s cauldron” of what looked like yellow goo but which tasted good!
Back at Gabicce Mare, after dinner we all boarded buses and were taken to the lovely medieval town and castle of Gradara where we saw a delightful show of medieval dances, a display fight between two of the guards, and a jester who amused us with a clever performance involving four men from the audience balancing on chairs in a “knot” and then having the chairs removed one by one. After a dazzling display of fireworks we returned to Gabicce Mare by bus. (190 kms.)
Wednesday, Fabio gave us a briefing on how to drive in a convoy escorted by the police – ignore speed limits, red lights, pedestrian crossings, traffic on the right, just keep as close as safely possible to the car in front. This briefing had been necessary as some of the cars had got “lost” on the previous day’s drive but were rescued by our police. We all then set off over the coastal plain and through the hills on a beautifully scenic drive with lots of poppies and other wildflowers in bloom, stopping at a roadside restaurant along the way for brunch. We continued on to Sansepolcro where we were greeted by half-a-dozen girls in costume (the “Spring Girls” as from Botticelli’s “Spring” painting) handing flower buds from their baskets to everyone. An excellent idea was to have language-school graduate students make their first “public” appearance by taking us in small groups around the town, showing us the sights and explaining their background and history. After a buffet of local products (delicious!) we returned by yet another scenic road (for “scenic” read hilly with many twists and turns!), stopping in the town square at Urbania for a short half-hour stop (which in Italy means one hour), and had the evening free in Gabicce Mare to mix and mingle with our new and old friends.
The convoy had still been led by the police Lamborghini and we began to wonder whether such a car is capable of driving at less than 60kph even on these small, rough roads. This thought was prompted by the feeling that we were having to hold on more than ever when going round the various bends. At one stage Rauno felt that we almost skidded on one corner and he started worrying about the age and condition of our tyres, but when we parked at the hotel in Gabicce Mare he tested the shock absorbers and realised that they weren’t functioning at all. After deep discussion with anyone with any technical expertise, i.e. almost every MG driver we came across during the evening, he decided that the car would be good enough to do the next day’s drive but we should take it to Fabio’s recommended garage on our return. (243 kms.)
Thursday, with the temperature hovering around 30 oC, we were all happy to welcome the Australian team back. They had skipped the previous day’s drive in favour of having the drive shaft on their disabled car repaired at Fabio’s garage by modifying a modern car’s (a Land Rover) universal joint and welding it on.
Before departure one MGA was having trouble with a broken oil pipe, and Rauno was happy to offer his usual advice – take it out and throw it away! In fact, others had previously had the same problem and were able to offer rather more lasting help. We were also amused to learn that a TF had also had shock absorber problems similar to ours, but had had one flown out from UK and replaced it already.
We no longer had the Lamborghini leading us, just a more normal police vehicle, and the overall speed dropped accordingly. Today’s drive took us south down the coast (it’s a pity the railway line is between the road and the shore as our small cars didn’t allow us to see the beach), then inland to Corinaldo, yet another delightful medieval town with its 15th century ramparts still intact. We were free to wander around the fascinating city until another buffet of local specialties was offered in the town square, a welcome from the Mayor, and music.
On the return journey we diverted from the convoy to go to the garage in Pesaro – it was not easy to find, as the streets are so narrow and close together that the GPS instructions were difficult to interpret. However find it we did, and there the shock absorbers were opened with an extended pipe-wrench and filled with hydraulic oil (they were completely dry), and adjustments made to the brakes, all for a nominal charge. (158 kms.)
Friday morning the convoy was given a rousing farewell from the Market Square by children at the nearby kindergarten who had also been treated to a small demonstration by one of the policemen and his siren. The rain shower the previous night had cleared the air, and we drove over the coastal plain and then up through the hills to Urbino, then a pleasant drive through the pine forest to Fossombrone where we admired the citadel and castle, and enjoyed a buffet lunch looking out over the walls to the valley below. On our return drive to Gabicce Mare we were all watching the weather – the police had stopped one-by-one to put on their rain gear, and as the rain began to fall the whole convoy was stopped to raise roofs. This was, in fact, the only time during our whole holiday when we had the roof up. Today’s drive also confirmed that the shock absorbers were now working as they should, only a slight leak from the top confirming that they will need to be repaired or replaced before too long. (142 kms.)
After dinner in the hotel, we were taken by bus to Tenuta del Tempio Antico, a nearby vineyard and winery where we were seated outside. Unfortunately the weather was now distinctly cool but the free wine tasting (fill a bottle at the tap) together with snacks helped overcome this, and the jackets received at registration were also very welcome. Live music was also provided, but why is it necessary that all music should be so loud as to make conversation difficult, even when outside? Despite this, we had a pleasant evening and bought some of their wine as a souvenir.
Saturday found us driving to Pesaro along the winding coastal road and it was very beautiful, seeing glimpses of the sea as well as wildflowers along the route. Today confirmed our suspicions that Murphy’s Law is alive and well – the road will be mostly empty, but when there is a lone cyclist that is just when a car will approach and all three vehicles have to pass at the same place.
Again, we parked in the town square , and had a guided tour around the town together with a walk through the museum which is in a house restored and furnished in its original style. Italian MG Club members had done an amazing job all week packing the almost 200 cars into limited spaces each day, as well as having driven thousands of kilometres during the previous months to check out all the routes and destinations. (55 kms.)
Lunch this time was in our hotel. Over the week we had been observing our waiters who, we were fairly sure, were very recent graduates from their training as they were quite nervous serving us on the first night, but by now were full of confidence and were very professional.
The day had been warm again (28 oC) and we were not surprised to see clouds gathering as we were taken, again by bus, to the Hostaria del Castella at Gradara for the gala dinner and prizegiving. We were fortunate to have been in one of the first relay of buses, as those in the last bus to arrive were greeted with a torrential downpour. The dinner was delicious and generous once again, the floorshow was exceptional (magical quick-change artists who really achieved the impossible), we were pleased to see the police there with their families, and everyone had a good time. Awards were presented – “furthest distance” went of course to the Australians, we were fortunate to receive the “furthest in Europe prize”, a “consolation” prize was presented to the Irish couple, many other prizes were deservedly awarded, and Fabio in turn received gifts from various national representatives. Perhaps a prize could also have been awarded to the very capable family of the youngest participant – an 8-week old baby, here with parents and 3 year old sister from Luxemburg in an open 1934 NB Magnette!
Sunday we were pleased to see that Tom from Denmark had offered his co-driver seat to Geraldine, our Irish lady driver, and she obviously enjoyed being once again in an MG. (Is any MG meeting in Europe complete without Tom with his moustaches, loud car, hat full of badges, and big smile?) We drove down the coast road again to Senigallia where we turned inland, over the coastal plain again, and just as were wondering how caves could be found in such flat country, we entered a gorge which we followed up to Genga and the Frasassi Caves.
We were shown through the caves by guides who tried very hard to give us some comprehension of the size of what we were seeing, as all sense of proportion is lost in this unfamiliar environment – apparently the first and largest cave we saw could hold the whole Milan Cathedral comfortably. There were many fascinating formations and it was interesting to see how the stalactites and stalagmites were being formed and joined. Again, we were all grateful for the souvenir jackets received during registration as the temperature was only 14oC in the caves. The walk was on a path built over bridges and stairs which kept us from contact with the formations, and we had had to walk carefully as they were wet and slippery in many places – in fact we saw one lady from another group who had seriously hurt her ankle and was having to be carried out. Then on the walk back down to the restaurant our small group got a bit lost – instructions to “walk this way” had omitted the vital instruction to “turn that way” up to the main road. However we got there in the end, and had yet another delicious meal.
On return to Gabicce Mare everyone – Fabio, the Tourist Office staff, and the police – were lined up to greet every car as we drove slowly past. We felt sad that the meeting was now over as we had had an extraordinarily good time and made a lot of new friends. We walked around the town for the last time, said farewell to those we met, and returned to the hotel to pack for the journey home. We had left Finland with the car already full, and now in addition we had all our souvenirs as well as the registration package as well as several bottles of wine . . . fortunately our TD seems to have elastic sides and we managed to fit everything in with the help of the handy MG carry-bag received with the registration package which we strapped over the spare wheel. (500 kms.)
Getting Back – 31 May to 5 June
Monday we paid a final visit to the Tourist Office to say good-bye to Fabio and the staff there who, together with the Hotel Association and some help from Ombretta the Swiss, had done such an exceptional job in organising this larger-than-usual MG By The Sea and European Event. We collected our discs of official pictures from the photographers, and set off north. As we were again avoiding autostradas, Fabio had warned us especially to avoid the Via Emilia, which we did – more by accident than anything as we missed the turn that the GPS wanted us to take. We passed through a hailstorm near Ferrara and found that hailstones really hurt on bare skin at 60 kph! I was fascinated to find that in Italy they can grow rows of two-dimensional fruit trees with no branches intruding into the aisles. Despite the storm, the day was otherwise warm and sunny and we drove until just after 6pm when we found a hotel near Trento with a nice big empty garage where Rauno gave the TD a quick maintenance (filled the carburettors, adjusted points). (400 kms.)
Tuesday we continued north and through the Brenner Pass, with a stop along the way to encase ourselves once more in our warm clothes. In avoiding autobahns the GPS gave us a most fascinating by-pass around Innsbruch along an extremely narrow hilly road through villages we would not normally have been near. Another stop along the way for coffee and to put on yet more warm clothes, through a town where we saw a large MG sign on a dealer’s showrooms, and on till around 6:30pm just before Landshut where we were happy to find a hotel as it was now around 12oC and raining. (382 kms.)
Wednesday dawned cold and with a misty rain, and we decided to try for the car-train from Munich to Hamburg. However bookings had already closed on the train we needed, so we continued driving and had to accept that at some stage at least half the day would have to be on the autobahn. One cheerful note at this stage was from a passing car attempting a greeting in Finnish – “Päivi”! [†] We continued on the secondary roads, but as the rain seemed to be holding off we headed for the autobahn but, just as were committed to driving up the ramp, down came the rain! Murphy’s Law once again in action! Anyway, we continued on the autobahn until just past Halle where we stopped for the night at a gasthaus. (500 kms.)
Thursday the rain eased and we were grateful that the landlord had let us park the car under cover overnight. Weather became sunnier and relatively warm, and we enjoyed the drive to Trävemunde with the GPS guiding us over roads we would not otherwise have considered, one including a ferry over the Elbe, followed by villages with some thatched roofs. We had time in to do our last-minute shopping, walk the esplanade, have a nice dinner, and go to the port to check-in for our boat to Finland. (385 kms.)
Friday was spent peacefully on the boat. After having eaten too much for the past three weeks, we managed to avoid the buffet and settled for one or two small snacks from the bar. Saturday we arrived in Helsinki to a nice sunny morning, and drove home to our son’s graduation party after a most enjoyable holiday. (42 kms.)
Total kilometres driven was almost 5,000, as well as the boat Helsinki-Rostock and Trävemunde-Helsinki.
THE END!
The author of this “Helsinki-Gabicce Mare-Helsinki travel diary” are Ann & Rauno Halme, whom I thank for their joyful contribution which allows non participants to enjoy their experience and participants to refresh their memories of the event, as well as follow Ann’s and Rauno’s adventure through Europe in their 1951 MG/TD. It also serves the scope of showing how easily our old MGs can take us along the roads of Europe with no anxiety.
Fabio
EUROPEAN EVENT OF THE YEAR 2010 – Gabicce Mare
2010, ritorno a Gabicce con una signora degli anni ‘30
Uno dei problemi che assillano i soci del Mg Car club d’Italia è sicuramente la scelta dei raduni cui aderire. L’offerta è assai ricca e non è possibile partecipare a tutti. Ma Gabicce per qualcuno quest’anno era assolutamente obbligatorio. Si trattava certo dell’Evento europeo dell’anno, ma soprattutto bisognava cancellare l’esperienza del 2008 conclusa con un simpatico ritorno in carro attrezzi. Il programma di Gabicce è sempre un po’ impegnativo, soprattutto per una signora degli anni ‘30 con molto glamour ma non fully restored come la Midget Pa 1121 del 1934 (*), ma allora forse l’entusiasmo aveva indotto a forzare troppo la vettura. Quest’anno tutto era stato messo a punto ma la partecipazione è stata in forse fino all’ultimo, a causa di una copiosa perdita dal serbatoio della benzina. Ma grazie alla storia millenaria della Capitale, che annovera ancora tra i suoi abitanti qualche “stagnaro”, il serbatoio, risultato una lega di rame e quindi indenne da ruggine, è stato riparato e riverniciato in tempo utile. La perdita era dovuta ad una precedente e vetusta riparazione, che improvvisamente aveva ceduto.
Giovedì partenza alle 6,30 del mattino per sfruttare la temperatura più fresca ed evitare il traffico in entrata ed uscita dalla città. La strada naturale x Gabicce dalla Capitale è la via Flaminia che conduce direttamente a Fano. Una bellissima strada che conserva ancora larghi tratti del tracciato originale, in molti punti alberata e con panorami di tutto rispetto. Due anni fa avevo fatto sosta nella splendida e solitaria abbazia di Sassovivo su una collina nei pressi di Foligno, ma allora avevo utilizzato la sosta per attendere un altro amico, Paolo, con la sua splendida Mg TF del 1954, che essendo più veloce era partito ad orario più comodo. Questa volta sono solo, Gabicce dista più di 350 km e la velocità di crociera è – diciamo – tranquilla. La lettura dell’unico strumento presente sul cruscotto della PA non è agevole; si tratta di una Jaeger meccanico cronometrico che combina su tre scale concentriche i giri del motore e la velocità in III e IV marcia. A parte la manovra del cambio, a 4 marce rigorosamente non sincronizzate, l’attenzione rimane concentrata sulla strada e sui possibili ostacoli. Lo sterzo, come suggerito dal sempre disponibile Urs, non vuole decisioni improvvise, la traiettoria deve essere accompagnata e così anche i quattro freni meccanici (non idraulici) che sono sicuramente un prodigio della meccanica del tempo, ma richiedono adeguati tempi di reazione. Non a caso in un test della nuova Midget PA del periodico Motor Sport del 1934 si dice che “i freni sono potenti e privi di difetti” aggiungendo però che “in caso di emergenza si può usare la leva del freno a mano, che agisce sulle quattro ruote”. Il motore di 847 cc. – rifatto completamente dopo la precedente esperienza - gira che è una bellezza, i due carburatori SU appena revisionati fanno egregiamente il loro lavoro, la pompa dell’acqua meccanica, un optional dell’epoca (reperita a Beualieu), azionata tramite un ingranaggio conico dall’albero motore - come la pompa dell’olio e la dinamo (in posizione verticale) – e una moderna ventola elettrica Kenlow aiutano il grande radiatore a termosifone che comunque, traffico e code a parte, funziona che è una meraviglia. La temperatura dell’acqua quindi non è un problema, quella esterna non è proprio fresca ma non si può avere tutto. La guida è piacevole e all’ora di pranzo sono all’altezza della Gola del Furlo per una sosta ad un ristoro sul fiume, all’ombra di un grande platano, insieme a turisti e a persone del luogo, tra cui non manca mai qualche appassionato con cui dividere il caffè e qualche suggerimento tecnico.
Alle 14 riprendo il viaggio e decido di evitare la parte finale della Flaminia per addentrarmi nelle colline verso Urbino, Montecchio, Tavullia e infine Gradara, da cui una breve discesa mi conduce a Gabicce prima delle 15. Un po’ di stanchezza ma pronto per l’avventura dei giorni successivi.
Tre giorni intensi. Ricordi? Tanti, due in particolare: innanzitutto l’atmosfera allegra di Gabicce-mare piena di MG rumorose (ma si può definire rumore quello armonioso dei motori di Abingdon?) e di mille colori che spuntano da tutte le parti. Sembrava di essere negli anni 60’, nella Milwankee di Happy Days; forse l’età media è superiore a quella di Fonzie della sit-com americana, ma solo le MG A erano ben 36!
In secondo luogo, il raduno mattutino con tutte le vetture allineate e divise per modello; è il momento delle chiacchiere e degli sguardi curiosi, nel tentativo di scoprire qualche modifica o particolare tecnico; quest’anno erano assenti i “gioielli” di Urs, la K3 era “solo” una replica (della serie La volpe e l’uva!), ma non mancavano gli spunti di interesse: particolarmente ricercato il motore della Twin Cam, che non è facile da vedere, e poi il cabriolet YA del 1947 di un famoso carrozziere svizzero. Ho avuto il piacere di conoscere il proprietario in Norvegia e posso quindi raccontare un particolare interessante. La vettura gelosamente custodita ha subito qualche anno fa un grave incendio che ha costretto al restauro della tappezzeria; così la ricerca del tappezziere adatto è finita in una piccola bottega ed incredibilmente l’artigiano, anch’esso con qualche anno sulle spalle, ha riconosciuto la vettura sulla quale aveva lavorato nel lontano 1947, trovando all’interno anche un arnese usato all’epoca e dimenticato nello spessore del sedile.
Ma Gabicce è soprattutto visita di località incantevoli e strade tranquille (bellissime quelle che seguono in cresta il profilo delle colline) e poi la “corsa” su e giù per i colli marchigiani, dove le salite e discese sono davvero tali. Il motore della PA è il più piccolo di cilindrata; la prima e seconda sono molto corte; erano state pensate per le corse di Trial. In Inghilterra non ci sono grandi montagne per cui gli inglesi si sono inventati percorsi sterrati assai ripidi ma decisamente corti. La potenza disponibile non è molta; alcune PA e PB rimediavano montando un compressore. Il ritmo dato dalla Polizia stradale (un servizio davvero a cinque stelle superior!) è abbastanza veloce e non è facile tenere il passo con le altre anteguerra, molte a sei cilindri e decisamente più potenti. Il primo giorno ho ceduto più volte il passo; poi, piano piano, è andata decisamente meglio a dimostrazione della necessità imprescindibile di guidare, guidare e ancora guidare le nostre MG come fanno nostri amici di tutta Europa. Se poi non siamo bravi come loro a sporcarci le mani nella meccanica, come è il mio caso, non rimane che coltivare l’amicizia di un bravo meccanico cui affidare le nostre “creature”.
Il tempo è volato. Il raduno si è concluso domenica alle grandiose grotte di Frasassi. Di lì ho iniziato il ritorno, nel quale ho avuto la gentile ed assai apprezzata compagnia di Alessio e Giovanna, con la loro più veloce Mgb roadster del 1971, e con i quali ho fatto tappa in una tranquillo ed ameno B&B nella campagna di Foligno. Ottima cena cucinata solo x noi dalla simpatica proprietaria, al prezzo “esorbitante” di dieci euro a persona, compreso dolce e vino.
In conclusione, una magnifica esperienza, di cui dobbiamo essere grati ai bravissimi organizzatori ma soprattutto alle nostre compagne, queste strane creature fatte non solo di bielle e bronzine, che molti di noi si ostinano a credere di possedere. In realtà - come accade anche su altri versanti della vita – sono loro che ci hanno scelto perche le accompagniamo per una stagione, più o meno lunga, per poi affidare il compito a qualcun altro, ansioso come noi di prendersene amorevolmente cura .
Francesco Morisani
(*) Può interessare qualche notizia della PA numero di telaio 1121: l’auto venne consegnata il 14 giugno 1934 al concessionario di Bournemouth, Knot Bross. Si trattava di un midget 4 posti, nera con tappezzeria rossa e ruote color alluminio. La targa originale AEL 289, riportata sul libretto all’atto dell’immatricolazione in Italia nel 1970, si riferisce appunto al distretto di Bournemouth, contea del Hampshire. Quando giunge in Italia l’auto è già stata trasformata in una due posti di colore verde; la trasformazione era all’epoca abbastanza frequente poiché i sedili posteriori erano collocati a ridosso delle ruote posteriori, la carrozzeria risultava molto bassa e facilmente urtava la strada; accadeva frequentemente quindi che in sede di riparazione si optasse per la trasformazione a due posti. La conformazione originale in questo caso è testimoniata dai due sedili separati (bucket seats, invece della panchetta unica e schienali separati che caratterizzavano la 2 posti) e dalle due piccole buche presenti sul fondo in legno dietro i sedili, pensate per ospitare i piedi degli eventuali ed assai improbabili passeggeri posteriori, oltre che dal Body Type B252 (per le 2 posti il codice er B251) riportato sulla targhetta rivettata nel vano motore. (Notizie fornite dal Triple-M-Register cui l’auto era già iscritta con il numero 805; non ne avevano più notizie dalla metà degli anni ’60. Il Triple-M-Register fa parte del M.G. Car Club e si occupa delle mg anteguerra di tre modelli Midget, Magna e Magnette. Assai interessante il sito www.triple-mregister.org
European Event of the Year – Gabbice Mare – 2010.
Lesley Miles – MG CAR CLUB – South East
Fabio does it again!!!
Having known from September 2009 that Fabio Filippello, the president of the Italian MG Car Club was organizing the European Event of the Year, we waited with ‘bated breath’ and much ‘nail biting’ as to whether we had been accepted for this prestigious event as only 200 cars from all over Europe would be invited, and it would be ‘first come, first served’.
It is well known within the MG circle that Fabio puts on some superb events, so we were very anxious to join in. We and our friends, Peter and Edmunds heard by email just after Christmas that we both had entries, so there was no turning back.
Well, Saturday, 21st May finally arrived, the TF160 had had a full service, 2 cam belts, a tensioner and water pump fitted, not needed, but as a precautionary measure, bearing in mind this poor car only comes out of the garage for MG events, little did it know that it was going to do the journey of a lifetime. We took Eurotunnel at 7.20 a.m. (the only way to cross ‘the ditch’) and arrived in Calais for a coffee and croissant before finally leaving at 9.00 a.m. We travelled 450 miles to our first stop using the french motorways. Our first hotel was in a very pretty town called Baldersheim, on the Swiss border. We left the next day at 9.00 again, military fashion, as we still had a lot of miles to cover. We stopped at the border to collect our 30 euro tax disc for entry into Switzerland, then enjoyed the fantastic snow topped mountains, then on for the last 350 miles to Gabicce Mare.
Our hotel was the Miremare, right on the beach with a beautiful pool, very pleasant rooms with sea view balconies. The staff were very friendly and courteous, nothing was too much trouble, the food was good and we had beer, red and white wine ‘on draught’, one could wish for nothing more!!!!
Monday dawned and we spent a lot of time admiring the incoming MGs as they arrived in this pretty town which had been geared up for this event for months in advance. There were cars from 16 countries including 3 beautiful cars from Australia, which had come in by ‘containers’. Two 1933 MG-Ls and a 1950 MG-TD. The tourism office was a ‘hive of industry’ and at 11.a.m. we ‘signed on’ and collected our itinerary and ‘goody bags’ which included T.shirts and a very nice fleece with the Italian M.G. logo. In the evening, after dinner, we met at the Cinema Astra where Fabio and the President of the Hotel association welcomed us to the event.
Tuesday we all met in the market square, where Fabrio gave us a drivers’ briefing and then we were off!!! We had the pleasure of a fantastic course car for the first two days. Lamborghini gave the Italian Police force, two Lamborghini Gallardo , and they are both based in Roma. Unfortunately one had been written off by a careless Fiat driver some time ago, but Lamborghini immediately replaced it with a new one and we were lucky to have one of them for us to enjoy. How jealous the british police would be!! We also had police outriders, these guys are not only handsome but wear the most amazing ceremonial uniforms, drive fast BMW motorbikes, at lunch times, they posed for photos with police base ball caps and the ‘shades’ on, with a glass of white wine in one hand, so very cool……….They were fantastic, our days were timed to precision, with the older cars starting first, and the newer ‘F’s at the rear, together with a back-up recovery vehicle and an ambulance. Luckily neither of these were needed. The outriders were like demented sheepdogs herding in the sheep, we were told to keep close together and drive fast, obviously to stop the local traffic from edging in on our convoy, which they did try at all times, especially on the first day, but were soon pulled over by the police. We were escorted down the centre of the roads, through traffic lights on ‘red’, and at each junction, there would be a police outrider waiting for us, then another would roar by, and take over for the next stop of the journey. This was the format for every day.
We had a fantastic time, visiting castles and beautiful villages with super scenic routes with lots of hairpin beds!!!!, we had music, we danced in the street in the piazza at Frossembrone and had fireworks and cabarets in the evenings.
The comradery was amazing, we met old friends from other European events in France and Germany and made many new friends which we are looking forward to meeting up with in Belgium at the 2011 Event in June next year.
There were only 29 cars from the UK, which was rather disappointing. All I can say, is that Fabio puts on this wonderful event every two years, so don’t miss out next time round.
p.s. I forgot to mention the weather, well what do you expect from sunny Italy…………………
Lesley and Chris Miles
Clicca qui per stampare pubblicazione Safety Fast
