The “most beautiful” motors head to Vernasca

This year’s Vernasca Silver Flag Hill Climb in Northern Italy is throwing open its doors to welcome “the most beautiful cars in the world” on 16 to 18 June.

“Rather than concentrating on a specific marque, we wanted to celebrate people’s passions and aspirations and allow everyone to bring the car of their dreams”, said organiser Claudio Cassali.

“This year, the theme of Vernasca Silver Flag is us! The fanatics and dreamers who check their pockets and who have finally managed to realise their dreams, whether we are talking about cars worth millions or a few thousand Euros.”

He added: “The Club Piacentino Auto d’Epoca (CPAE) is calling for all those who have made their dreams come true to bring ‘the most beautiful‘ cars to Castell’Arquato. We will also welcome all those who continue to dream of one day being at Vernasca Silver Flag, Goodwood, Montecarlo or Nurburgring with the numbers in their hands, ready to stick them on the doors of their very own dream car!”

The preparation for this year’s Vernasca Silver Flag started with a live painting contest held on the morning of Saturday 28 January at the hall of the Chamber of Commerce Palace in the centre of the city of Piacenza, with the teachers and students from the Liceo Artistico Cassinari high school specialising in art taking part.

Seven cars were posed for the art students, who painted their interpretation of the relationship between cars, passion and design. A specially chosen panel then selected the best painting, which has become this year’s lead image of the event.

All kinds of classic racing cars were represented by the seven models brought by the CPAE: Touring cars with a Fiat Abarth 1000 Radiale; Gran Turismo with a Ferrari 212 Berlinetta that raced at Le Mans and Mille Miglia; Grand Prix with a Maserati 6 CM; an Abarth 2000 SP that remembered the hill climb races of the 60s; sport cars from the ’50s with a Porsche 550; F1 with a Cooper BRM; pre-war with a Balilla Coppa d’oro; and, finally, a Lancia Delta S4 Ex-Works for the rallies of the ’80s.”

In the afternoon all the paintings were displayed in Piazza Cavalli together with the racing cars.

Chris Routledge, CEO of international auctioneers COYS, which has sponsored the event for many years, said: “This year looks like another spectacular event with the organisers throwing it open to all those people who have had a dream and then brought it to fruition. We see it all the time where people buy a car and then put it back together so that they can compete in an event such as this.

He added: “Recognising and celebrating this passion is fantastic and extremely important, and I know that anyone who wants to bring their car to Vernasca will get a tremendous welcome. This is one of the best-unspoilt events worldwide.”