The “Matiche” is a hidden treasure, one of the best classic car events we have come across. It is open only to barchettas— two-seater, open sports and sports racing cars built through the early 1960s. This three day event, with scrutineering on Friday at Bassano del Grappa in northeastern Italy, starts on Saturday heading north into the lower range of the Dolomites. It turns west over impressive roads up to 3,500 meters in altitude and winds through quiet and spectacular scenery.
It is a regularity run, the competition based on exact timing in a number of short stages, but the enjoyment is in driving on fantastic roads. Local officials welcome the event and, while not a race, there are times when you can hardly tell the difference.
The city of Vicenza is the scene of the night trial as 15 cars at a time run at a very quick pace through a 1.5 km track in the center of the old city…hardly imaginable anywhere else. A Sunday morning run ends at Marostica with a lunch and award ceremony in a magnificent mountaintop castle. The 2003 event was won by the superb Biondetti Jaguar which ran in the original Mille Miglia in the 1950s.
Submitted by Ed McDonough
