Bank Holiday in Italy perhaps!

[Andy M]

Hi All,

A Tour for the conniseur! If anyone wishes to participate and have a vehicle of the correct category would you please inform the neccessary people from the details below. Of course we would like to hear of your progress so if you intend to go please let us know how you get on!

The Veteran Car Club Pietro Bordino - Alessandria Piedmont

9th Rally of “Veterans on the Vineyard Route”
XXth Revival of the Pietro Bordino Circuit
Alessandria Italy on 29th - 30th & 31st May 2009

Description and Overview of the Rally and events

Alessandria is some 1200 Km from the French port of Calais and situated in the centre of a triangle made by the cities of Milan, Turin and Genoa.

The rally consists of partly a scenic tour with some timed stages around the hill villages and vineyards characteristic of the very pretty Piedmont region.

The organisers describe the event as “a unification of the pleasures of driving with the excitement of the timed stages, and the enjoyment of tasting typical Piedmont produce of wines, cheeses and sweets”. (Personal note: I have been going to Piedmont for the last 40 years – do not underestimate the latter unifying topic).

Each team will be given a booklet (with English translations) containing detailed maps of cross-roads/distances/traffic lights/stops for food etc for navigating the rally route and showing where the timed stages are.

The timed stages will be over a defined distance and with a defined speed to be maintained. The highest points are awarded for the achieving the exact speed. (I assume all vehicles will provide their own chronometers.)

Cars taking part should be constructed around or before 1950 and ideally be in the Sports Car category. Unusual or other classic sports cars up to the year 1960 would also be kindly looked upon, I am sure. (see cat 3)

The Saturday event will cover about 127Km, whereas the Sunday drive will be from Acqui Terme back to Alessandria, about 36Km.

It is worth mentioning that Acqui Terme was founded in Roman times with the name “Aquae Sulis” and is famous for thermal baths with mud treatments and a natural fountain of sulphurous water that emerges at 70 °C.


The organisers would also like to host a Scottish team or two for the additional pleasure of seeing the kilt worn at the Gala Dinner.

On the last day of the rally, the cars will run on the Pietro Bordino circuit “La Cittadella”. The Cittadella (Citadel) is a famous 17th century military bastion.

The rally is held annually with 2009 being its 9th anniversary.

Participants will be staying at the Hotel Nuove Terme on the Saturday Night where a Gala dinner will be held and guests can also take advantage of the many hotel facilities. A previous famous guest was Winston Churchill.
Guests wishing to stay additional nights beyond the 29th & 30th May, the organisers can arrange to reserve rooms at the Mercure or Mulino Hotels in Alessandria. A guide price per room for two people is € 95.00.

From the end of February, details of the event will be on the Club’s website (also in English) www.pietrobordino.com Club Email: info@pbordino.com

Club President Antonio Traversa Tel 0039 335 6264874


PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Friday 29th May

16.00 Arrival of teams and if with trailers or transporters this will be close to the “Cittadella” in Alessandria. Suitcases and baggage will be unloaded assisted by Hotel Mercure and car club staff and taken to the reserved rooms.

16.30 Cars will be driven to Piazza Marconi and displayed for viewing during
the enrolment of teams. This will include checking of driving licenses, vehicle insurance and validity of vehicles together with the issue of rally numbers for affixing to vehicles.

19.30 Cars will lead off in convoy to the Hotel Mercure for the evening meal
and overnight stay. Cars will be parked in the hotel garage.

Saturday 30th May

08.00 – 09.00 Cars will assemble in front of the Palazzo Municipale for last
minute entries and any outstanding checks.

09.15 First car sets off following the prescribed route out of the city.
Via Pontida, Corso Lamarmora, Piazza Garibaldi, via Mondovi, Corso Borsalino, Viale Brigata Ravenna, Corso C Alberto & Corso Carlo Marx.

09.30 Cantalupo
09.45 Frascaro

Time trial PP1 – PP2

10.00 Fraz Tacconotti
10.15 Mombaruzzo ( tasting of locally made amaretti )
10.30 Fontanile

Control Point Marshall

10.45 Castelletto Molina (drive around the walls and a following gift)
11.00 Castel Boglione ( pit stop in a cantina for an aperitivo)
12.00 Terzo d’Acqui

Time trial PP3 – PP4

12.30 Montabone (stop for lunch) Distance from Alessandria 63Km.

15.00 Set off.
15.30 Sessame
15.45 Bubbio

Time Trial PP5 – PP6 – PP7

16.00 Vesime ( stop for a tasting ) Distance from Montabone 25Km
16.30 Monastero Bormida

Control Point Marshall

17.20 Acqui Terme. Distance from Vesime 39Km.
Arrive in Piazza della Bollente with a brief stop and gift to the teams.

17.50 Park up in front of Hotel Nuove Terme. Cars will remain parked in the
open - but in a fenced area with surveillance throughout the night.
Teams to book in for the overnight stay and can use hotel facilities.
Gala Dinner.

Sunday 31st May

09.30 Leave Acqui Terme.

10.30 Arrive in Alessandria for a parade drive through the main streets, order
of cars yet to be decided. Parking near to Cittadella.
Distance from Acqui 36Km

10.30 – 12.00 XXth Revival of the Pietro Bordino Circuit

Timed circuits within the walls of the Citadel with an average speed of
30 Km/hour. Circuits will be done by groups of cars (4 or 5 at the same time)

12.45 Lunch in a covered area within the Citadel catered by the Losanna di
Masio restaurant.

15.30 Prize giving.

1st Prize Overall

1st Pietro Bordino Trophy Cup

Post Vintage Category (1931 - 1945) - 1st 2nd 3rd

Classic Category (1946 - 1960) - 1st 2nd 3rd

Post-Classic Category (1961 - 1970) - 1st 2nd 3rd


Following the awards all teams depart for a safe homeward journey.