PASSANANTE AND MOLGORA WIN THE XIV HISTORICAL REVIVAL OF THE REVOLUTIONARY COPPA MILANO-SANREMO AND BACK
23 – 26 MARCH 2023
Milan, 26 March 2023
The XIV Rievocazione Storica della Coppa Milano Sanremo and back officially ended with the victory of Passanante and Molgora – crew number 3 – at the wheel of a 1937 Fiat 508 C, who drove an extraordinary race. Great performance also for the second classified crew (number 5) formed by Di Pietra and Di Pietra with a 1938 Fiat 508 C. Third place went to Loperfido and Corneliani, crew number 4, in a 1938 Lancia Aprilia, in what was a hard-fought race right to the last lap, full of twists and turns right to the finish line.
Competition, spectacle, tradition and savoir faire made this 14th Rievocazione Storica an unmissable appointment with unique and exclusive charm thanks to the same spirit as always and the same passion of the gentlemen drivers who conceived it in 1906. The ‘Lady’ of the races offered the over one hundred participating crews an edition full of unmissable, logistical and sporting novelties along a revolutionary route of over 900 kilometres through the territories of Lombardy, Piedmont and Liguria, where over 115 special stages were held. This year the competition saw Milan as the starting and finishing point for the first time ever, thus transforming the route from linear to circular and increasing the actual race days from three to four.
The crews gathered on Thursday 23 March at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza where the competition officially started with the 24 new special stages along the legendary elevated roads of the famous temple of speed. On Friday 24 March, the race set off in the direction of Sanremo, passing through the evocative territories of the Langhe; yesterday, Saturday 25 March, the crews were able to challenge each other between the hinterland and the sea of the Ligurian territory to then arrive in Genoa, where the dinner was held in an exceptional location: the Aquarium of Genoa. During the evening the winning crews of the dynamic elegance contest by Riva Brand Experience, Joint Presenting Partner of the Rievocazione Storica, were awarded prizes.
The first classified for the pre-war category up to 1945 was crew number 1 composed of Belotti and Plebani with a 1927 Bugatti T37A, for the classic cars from 1946 to 1990 the prize was won by Collins and Gay – crew number 36 – with the 1960 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster. Volpi and Lombardi – crew number 123 – with the Pagani Huayra HP from 2023 were the first runners-up for youngtimer cars from 1991 to 2023. Crew 26 – Trazzi and Giulini – with the 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster took the prize for the most stylish crew.
This morning the crews set off from Piazza De Ferrari in the centre of Genova to take the decisive tests, tackled the ascent of Monte Fasce to Uscio, crossed the territories of the Portello Pass and Mongiardino Ligure, and then arrived in Milan, where after a spectacular arrival in the heart of the historic centre, the final prize-giving ceremony was held at the headquarters of AC Milano in Corso Venezia, which this year celebrates its 120th anniversary. An important milestone that the Coppa Milano Sanremo is honoured to celebrate, sharing with the renowned club the spirit and culture of the cars that have made history.
“Also in this edition of the Coppa Milano Sanremo we touched the passion of all those who love cars: drivers, co-drivers, mechanics and more. Adults and children all along the route and during the stops looked in admiration at these authentic jewels on four wheels, which represent history, culture and technological development. Today a milestone was set up in front of our headquarters to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Automobile Club Milano. It is one of the initiatives (we have others in the pipeline) to celebrate this important anniversary as it deserves,’ said Geronimo La Russa, President of Automobile Club Milano.
The XIV Rievocazione Storica was accompanied by several titles of honour to reward the first 10 crews in the general classification of the historic regularity and the first 10 crews in the general classification of the ‘Rendez-Vous’.
In addition, prizes were awarded to the first three classified in each of the five categories RC1-RC5 of the historic regularity event, with the division for each cylinder capacity: up to 1600 cc, from 1600 cc to 2000 cc above 2000 cc, and the first three classified in the average trials. The Ladies’ Cup saw prizes awarded to the first three female crews, crew no. 60 of Parolaro Pietropaolo in a 1972 Leyland Innocenti Mini Cooper 1.3, second classified Pacchioni and Foiani – crew no. 39 – in a 1964 Porsche 356 C, third crew Tajana- Bottini in a 1966 Alfa Romeo 1600 Spider, crew no. 44. Also worth mentioning is the prize for the crew with drivers under thirty years of age, crew no. 57 made up of Ghisleni and Calvi from Bergolo in a 1971 Lancia Fulvia Sport, and the first classified team Classic Team.
In addition, the winners received several prizes provided by the sponsors: Wyler Vetta, Official Time Keeper, presented 2 iconic Jumbostar 40 mm chronographs from the collection dedicated to the XIV Rievocazione Storica Coppa Milano-Sanremo to the first classified crew of the absolute historic cars. The second crew was awarded by Matchless London with two ‘Smith Racing Blouson Limited Edition’ leather jackets redesigned and customised for the event. Esteticar offered a full car treatment to the third placed crew.
The first three classified crews of the Coppa delle Dame were presented with products by Nashi Argan – Official Beauty supplier. FOULON – supplier of the event – rewarded with the new version of the gloves model Mezzedita the first classified crew in the media trials Loperfido and Corneliani, crew number 4, on a 1938 Lancia Aprilia; the first three crews of the Coppa delle Dame and the first three classified crews in the absolute historic cars and in the absolute rendez-vous won by crew number 107 of Ronchi and Rondolino with a 1996 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet, second classified crew number 108 of Fullin Meloni at the wheel of a 1996 Porsche 993 Turbo and crew no. 103, third classified, consisting of Righi and Vergani with a 1994 Porsche 911 993.
The XIV Rievocazione Storica boasted illustrious sponsors: Urban Up | Unipol, the project dedicated to the valorisation of the real estate assets of the Unipol Group and Mercedes-Benz, as institutional partner of the event, through its official dealer Merbag S.p.A. Among the event’s supporters, the Consorzio dell’Asti DOCG, official supplier of the race for the beverage sector, Marina di Loano S.p.A., which will host one of the most fascinating stages of the route, Wyler Vetta – Official Time Keeper, Nashi Argan – Official Beauty supplier and Milano Verticale | UNA Esperienze, exclusive location of the inaugural evening.
Riva Brand Experience, exclusive partner of the traditional dynamic elegance contest that took place during the race, was Joint Presenting Partner of the edition.
The Official Suppliers of the 2023 edition are: ACI Global Servizi, Casinò di Sanremo, Castrol, Matchless London, Milano Classiche, OLIO, Asti Vibes, Lycam, Officina delle Essenze, Casinò di Sanremo, Banca Caraglio, Foulon, Esteticar, Classic Rental Car, Zero Time, Argo-Be Traced, Poltu Quatu Classic.
The 14th Historical Re-enactment of the Coppa Milano-Sanremo was promoted by Equipe Grand Prix, Automobile Club Milano, ACI Storico, ACI Sport, Milano Corse, Autodromo di Monza, Epoca Championship and sponsored by: Lombardy Region, Liguria Region, Piedmont Region, Municipality of Milan, Municipality of Monza, Municipality of Asti, Municipality of Sanremo, Municipality of Genoa, Municipality of Loano, Municipality of Sassello.
The noble event is part of the ACI Sport’s Italian Great Events Championship, reserved for the most important classic regularity races, of which the Coppa delle Alpi, the Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti, the Gran Premio Nuvolari and the Targa Florio Classica are also part.
ELIGIBLE CARS
Cars built from 1906 to 1990 and bearing either a F.I.V.A. passport, a F.I.A. Heritage sticker, an A.S.I. homologation, an A.C.I. Sport sticker, or a car belonging to a brand register will be admitted. The possibility of taking part in the ‘Rendez-Vous’, the exclusive Tribute reserved for modern supercars and the most iconic youngtimers built from 1990 to the present day, has been reconfirmed.
For further information, please contact the Equipe Grand Prix organisational secretariat:
Info: www.milano-sanremo.it
PRESS OFFICE COPPA MILANO-SANREMO
Equipe International – Tel. +39 0234538354
Federica Papagni – federica.papagni@equipemilano.com
Antonella Nasini – antonella.nasini@equipemilano.com