The eighteenth edition of the Coppa Gentlemen sardi, a regularity motorsport event for historic cars that is part of the “Circuito Tricolore” calendar, got underway today in Monte Urpinu.
«There are 15 events throughout Italy, 10 of which are for cars and the rest for motorcycles: we have the honor of representing Sardinia», comments Alessandro Casciu, president of the Associazione Automoto d'Epoca Sardegna of Cagliari.
«Over 50 crews at the start, which will cross several municipalities of Sardinia for an event that brings together a passion for cars with that for nature and good food».
"This is an event that has now reached its 18th edition," continues Casciu. "In 2007 we decided to propose it no longer in a sporting and speed key, as it once was, but in a regularity key: in fact the name was changed from Corsa Gentleman to Coppa Gentleman. Started as a one-day event, we have reached three full days: from Friday to Sunday. After the start from Viale Europa, the cars will head towards the old state road 125, the route of the ancient "San Gregorio-Burcei" race, a famous uphill speed race."
«We will arrive in Villaputzu where there will be the first series of timed trials and, after lunch, still in Villaputzu, we will move towards Arbatax where we will stay near the coast.
On Saturday morning the time trials in the industrial area of Tortolì, then we will move to Ulassai to the caves of Marmuri. We will then visit the caves, then lunch and then a visit to the Jerzu winery. We will return to the hotel and then on Sunday morning we will move to Orroli. In the afternoon the arrival in front of the Town Hall in via Roma in Cagliari».
The competitive aspect is not forgotten, however: «There is a small competitive part with the regularity trials and a large part from the tourist and food and wine point of view. We therefore try to combine everyone's tastes: there are those who are more attentive to the sporting aspect and those to the cultural one, which is certainly predominant».
Participants also come from the rest of Italy: "There are about fifteen of them. In addition, in recent years it has happened several times that those who came from the peninsula for the event took advantage of it to spend a few more days of vacation in Sardinia. In fact, we also have the support of the Tourism Department of the Sardinia Region, as well as the municipalities we gravitate towards. In particular, in Tortolì we feel at home because of the great availability of the local community"
Among the participants there are also some cars with particularly important historical value: «We have the Giulia of the Carabinieri and the Alfetta of the State Police: it's nice to have them present».
And as you can see from the video, the old patrol car is driven by two officers in uniform.