Two fast boats dart under the fortress of Castell’Arquato in the poster of the 27th edition of the Vernasca Silver Flag – seventh appointment on the ASI Circuito Tricolore calendar – and carry a very special logo on their grilles. The chosen theme is a tribute to Maserati by the Club Piacentino Automotoveicoli d’Epoca.
Club Piacentino Automotoveicoli d’Epoca: how the 27th Silver Flag went
Many friends of Maserati from all over the world took part in the 27th Silver Flag event organized by the Club Piacentino Automotoveicoli d’Epoca, organized for the occasion in collaboration with Maserati Classiche. Among those that participated in the original editions of Castell’Arquato-Vernasca (of which the Silver Flag is a re-enactment) a Maserati could not be missing, a 1953 AGCS. Precisely it was at the famous hill climb in 1956 and 1958.
A total of thirty trident sports cars were present and Maserati Classiche itself will show off 4 pieces: A6 1500, A6GCS berlinetta, Birdcage Drogo, 320S. For the occasion, a Concorso d’Eleganza dedicated to the Granturismo was also thought of, with a dozen at the start, a true symbol of the brand’s production.
The participation of Eberhard & Co at the 27th Silver Flag
The other great protagonist of the 27th edition will be Eberhard & Co. The Swiss maison, founded in 1887, thus becomes the timekeeper of an appointment synonymous with attention to detail, a strong reference to historicity and motoring tradition.
It is precisely from the words of Mario Peserico – General Manager of Eberhard & Co. – that this relationship between motoring and timepiece shines through. «Just think that Tazio Nuvolari had an Eberhard pocket watch and look at the strong bond with Alfa Romeo in the DTM series between the 1980s and 1990s – says Peserico – The link between watchmaking and enthusiasts of historic cars is twofold and valid both from the from a collector’s point of view and from that of passions. Collecting has rejuvenated a lot and we are witnessing an evolution: if in the past you bought to keep and put aside, today you buy to use and we are witnessing a return to the link with motoring».
The celebration of the anniversaries of Porsche and Lancia
Just the passage of time brings many anniversaries to this 2023, to which we wanted to pay homage. Let’s start with the 75th anniversary of the birth of Porsche which will lead to the departure of various iconic models: 956, 904, 910, 911 2800 RSR and some 356 both in Coupè and Speedster versions. Great celebrations also at Lancia with the 50th anniversary of the Stratos, of which four cars will be present, and the 40th anniversary of the Lancia 037’s victory in the Group B World Rally Championship with an ex-official car.
Speaking of Lancia, the special guest for this edition will be the double world rally champion Miki Biasion who will arrive in Castell’Arquato in the late morning of Saturday 10 June, thus renewing his participation in the Silver Flag which had already seen him as a protagonist in the 2017 edition. «I really liked the environment, a real meeting place for enthusiasts – says Biasion – Today in many regularity races there is a bit of exhibitionism, here instead there is simplicity and passion that is missing in many other events It will be a pleasure to come back”.
The celebration of 60 years of Autodelta
For the 60th anniversary of the birth of Autodelta, where the Alfas that would race were prepared, there will be an Alfa Romeo 33 2000 Spider, a Giulia GTA and an Alfetta GTV Turbodelta Gr. 4. The Piacenza Corse team led by Luciano Restelli, presents at this edition of the Silver, four Alpine Gr. 4 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the World Rally won by the Alpine A110.
The tribute to the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
To pay homage to the centenary of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans this year we will have three drivers who have participated and also won. Mario Casoni took part in both the Castell’Arquato-Vernasca and six times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, obtaining a third place in 1972.
Jürgen Barth took part in 13 editions of the French endurance race, always driving mostly official Porsche cars, and in 1975 he competed for Ovoro Joest Racing in a 908LH with Mario Casoni. He entered the legend with the overall victory in 1977 at the wheel of the Porsche 936. Clemens Schickentanz competed five times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he finished 4th in 1983.
At the 24 hours of Spa-Francorchamps in the European Touring Car Championship in 1971, he achieved 2nd place overall and class victory in a Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3 converted by AMG into a 6.8 liter racing car. It is precisely with this model that he will come to this year’s Silver Flag.
These are just some of the characters and cars among those who will be present: to discover them all, all you have to do is go to Val d’Arda this weekend and feel live the effect that the most spectacular racing cars in the history of motoring have . To accompany the public during the three climbs will be the journalist, presenter and television author Savina Confaloni. Her long editorial experience in the automotive sector will allow her to tell the story and anecdotes of cars and drivers, directly from the starting line.
Charity towards Emilia-Romagna
Before closing, it is right to remember that most of the Piacenza Club’s events combine the desire to share a passion with a charitable purpose and something special has been thought of for the most important appointment on the calendar. Saturday evening, after the first two climbs, there will be a gala dinner, where some automotive memorabilia objects and some works from the Cassinari boys’ painting competition will be auctioned off. The auction has always had a Piacenza charity as its beneficiaries, different for each edition. This year everyone’s thoughts went to the affected populations in Romagna and the Council decided to donate the proceeds to the fundraising opened directly by the Emilia Romagna Region.