The Gran Premio Nuvolari is an evocative event, run in memory of the legendary Tazio Nuvolari - one of Italy's greatest racing drivers - who passed away on 11th August 1953.

The modern-day historical re-run of the Alba d'Oro (which took place between 1954 and 1957, and was won by legendary racing drivers Alberto Ascari and Stirling Moss in '54 and '55 respectively) is today organised by Scuderia Mantova Corse, in association with the Museo Tazio Nuvolari and l'Automobile Club Mantova. The event - since the first recent edition was held in 1991 - has quickly established itself as one of the most important dates on the historic racing calendar. We took part in this year's Gran Premio Nuvolari at the wheel of a 1935 Fiat Balilla Coppa d´Oro. The racing was simply fantastic, although it was blighted by very heavy rain.

The event started on Friday at Mantova - where Tazio Nuvolari was born - and headed for Viareggio for the first timed stage. The second stage started very early on Saturday in Viareggio and passed through Pisa, Livorno, Siena, Arezzo and San Marino to finish in Rimini. And finally on Sunday another very early morning start beckoned, but with a heavy storm hitting proceedings only half of the participants elected to start the stage. The race then headed north to finish in Mantova for lunch.
 

Official Alfa Romeo Museo driver Luciano Viaro is the in-form driver this year, as not only did he win the Mille Miglia Retrospective in May, but he also claimed victory in the Gran Premio Nuvolari. These famous events are probably now the two most important races for the activity today.

Viaro once again driving the gorgeous blown Alfa Romeo 1500MMS, but this time with Michaela Mair in the co-driver's seat. The Museo was also represented by its director, Mr. Magro who drove the 1900 Sport Spider, and RAI journalist Grimaldi, who was behind the wheel of the 750 Competizione. Five Bugattis, two 8C 2.3 Alfa Romeos, several Aston Martin Le Mans and a bunch of Fiat Balillas, were the stand outs amongst the prewar cars. Around 300 cars - built up to 1975 - started the race in Mantova, but only half in the end reached the finish line.

After a high successful Mille Miglia earlier this summer for Argentine crews, the Gran Premio Nuvolari saw this trend continue with three making the final top ten. Sucari-Celada, driving a Maserati 1100CS, finished in second place behind Luciano Viaro, former winners of the race, Scalise-Scalise in an Aston Martin Le Mans, came home fourth, while myself and Claramunt in the Fiat Balilla Coppa d´Oro took the flag three places further back.

The 2005 Gran Premio Nuvolari was a truly excellent event, expertly organised, featuring many historically important cars, and played out to a backdrop of stunning Italian landscapes.