|
Category I was up to four cylinders and category II had
vehicles with more than four. Each category was subdivided
again into different classes according to the number of
cylinders. The first category had three divisions and the
second had four. In the following years - and these
divisions were kept until 1932 - was foreseen the open
classification where the winners were decided on by the
number of cylinders.
At the outbreak of the Second World War
the Milan- Sanremo, like nearly all other competitive
sports, was suspended. In 1948, while Milan was still
recovering from the extensive damage caused by the war, the
Milan - Sanremo cup finally returned and was welcomed with
great enthusiasm. The desire to recommence in all fields was
strong for the four wheel - as well as the two wheel -
enthusiasts' and there was a blossoming in the organisation
of races, city circuits and reliability trials.
In 1950 a curious event took place regarding the resumption
of the Milan - Sanremo race. The 1950 meeting became the
fourteenth instead of the thirteenth in order to correct an
accidental historical error. During the war the headquarters
of the Automobile Club of Milan were completely destroyed
and many documents especially those relating to sports
meetings were lost. When in 1948 the A.C. Milan resumed the
traditional spring meetings they could not find any trace of
the tenth Milan - Sanremo race which took place in 1939. As
a result of this a mistake was made in the numbering of the
1948 meeting which was called the tenth. This historical
curiosity helps us understand the fervour and strong desire
to reanimate, under difficult conditions, the race in a new
climate of peace and development not seen since the pre war
years.
Regarding the subdivision of the vehicles enrolled in the
fourteenth Milan-Sanremo race, these were made according to
two divisions and different classes: - the Tourism category:
class I, Fiat 500; class II, Fiat 1100, class III, Ardea;
class IV, Aprilia; class V, Fiat 1500; class VI, various
makes. - Sports category: class I, up to 750 cc; class II
high cylinder. As one notes , such
subdivisions represented, in practice, all the national
production of the era. Those enrolling, and it was a
steadily increasing number, participated both with ordinary
everyday cars and with real competition vehicles.
The years passed
and the decline in numbers began at the huge rallies of
Lambretta and Vespa scooters on the city circuits where
numerous competitors took part on bicycles and mopeds. The
success of the Milan - Sanremo, however, continued to
attract more and more participants. A certain nationwide
affluence had, meanwhile, allowed a new section of the
population to make the jump from two to four wheels. The
Fiat 600 had taken the place of the mythical " Topolino "
and the economic miracle had begun to modify Italian habits
and customs.
In the meantime,
also the Milan - Sanremo began to see changes. For example,
the departure point was moved from the centre at Boschetti
di Via Marina to the picturesque setting of the Autodrome of
Monza and at the beginning of the seventies to the toll
booth of the Motorway of Flowers. This meant a run of 312
kilometres, including motorways. The vehicles participating
were of all categories and classes without any distinction
of cylinder. The increase in traffic and a different
relationship with the public, consumer and automobile
followed by the oil crisis and resulting austerity finally
sent this kind of activity into decline. It left the
enthusiasts, though, with an indelible record that today can
be experienced only through an historical commemoration
using vehicles from that time.
Trial runs were
held in the years 1997, 1998 and 2000, of the Milano-Sanremo
race. At that time it had not yet been named again as the "Coppa
Milano Sanremo", but the itineraries of the historic race
with a few variations had been put forward, while keeping
its spirit and bearing in mind the balance between racing
and touring. Milan and Piazza Duomo were the principal
starting points for the vehicles in a race that past through
Lomellina, Oltre Pavese and the bends of the Giove and
Turchino Passes before arriving in the old port of Genoa, "
La Superba ". Then, going over the Faiallo pass and along
the via Aurelia towards the old centre of Noli and stopping
in the beautiful townships of Cervo and Imperia, the
vehicles arrived at the city of Sanremo with its avenues of
palms and charming atmosphere. Here, in an ideal setting,
the final moments of the race were celebrated. The success
of these three trial meetings, the wide coverage by the
motoring press and local newspapers, as well as the
satisfaction of the participants convinced the organisers to
continue the event, reviving it with the necessary support
to return it to its old splendour.
|
