In 2003, Georg Dönni and his friend Balz Bessenich organized an Alpenbrevet for the first time. This is a kind of classic car rally, although it does not follow the usual pattern of this genre.
Something for enthusiastic drivers
The Alpenbrevet is a reminder of a time when driving over mountain passes was still a challenge and when you proudly displayed the stickers of your successful "conquest" on your car. And because today it is no longer so difficult to drive over classic Alpine passes such as the Gotthard or the Grossglockner, even with old cars, the Alpenbrevet likes to visit less well-known Alpine roads with narrow streets. And they do so in large numbers. This is because an award is given to those who can conquer the greatest number of passes from a given list within a specified time period (20 hours were available in 2019).
Of course, the specified average speed is no higher than 50 km/h, but even this can be challenging if you have to complete half the route at night.
A very special Alpine brevet
The 16th edition on 14-18 August 2019 was dedicated to Balz, who passed away unexpectedly just over a year ago, and the 50th anniversary of the cult film "The Italian Job" was also used to organize a very special event.
A brief summary of the film, which was shot in 1968 and launched in 1969: The plan for a gold heist falls into Charlie Crocker's hands when he visits the widow of a husband named Roger Beckermann, who was murdered by the Mafia in his Lamborghini Miura, shortly after leaving prison. In order to carry out the robbery, Crocker needs the help of British gangster-in-chief Mr. Bridger, who runs his business from prison. In order to speak to him, Crocker has to break into the prison!
In order to rob the gold, Crocker and his team organize a total traffic collapse in Turin, which they are able to avoid thanks to the manoeuvrability of three Mini Cooper getaway vehicles (including the gold), thus eliminating the police and gangster rivals. After the gold has been transferred to a bus, the Minis have been disposed of and everything has actually worked out perfectly, the driver loses control and the heavily laden bus hangs over the cliff on the Nivolet Pass.
The outcome remained open, a sequel was planned at the time but was never filmed.
With a Lamborghini Miura, of course ...
Famous are not only the breathtaking stunt missions with the Minis in Turin, but also the introductory sequence in which Beckermann drives up the Great St. Bernard in a Lamborghini Miura, accompanied by the voice of Matt Monro, who intones "On days like this ...".
So it was only logical that a Lamborghini Miura had to be part of the Alpine Brevet with the subtitle "The Italian Job". Georg Dönni quickly rented a right-hand drive (!) vehicle from the Fondation Renaud.
Although the Miura was not expected to endure the stresses and strains of the multi-pass journey from Friday to Saturday, the Lambo was there the whole time and covered around 1200 km.
... and many Minis
Even more important in the movie than the Lamborghini, however, are the Minis, actually Austin/Morris Mini Cooper S from the late sixties.
In fact, a small pack of these little cars turned up and even managed to recreate one or two scenes from the movie, in particular the drive around the Lingotto oval, but more of that later.
A very special car train ride
However, the 2019 Alpenbrevet began with a car-train ride from Kandersteg to Iselle (in Italy), which was certainly unforgettable for many participants. The very fact that this was possible was nothing short of a minor miracle, because according to BLS, no more car trains of this kind will be running to Italy until 2022 due to construction work.
The short train offered space for around 45 vehicles, which were able to enjoy this special treat. From there, the journey continued by axle to Stresa, where the first overnight camp was set up (with a view of Lake Maggiore).
The prologue to the Nivolet
The next day, a trip to the Colle del Nivolet was on the program. Many scenes of the movie were filmed there, especially the ending. The pass was actually closed to motorized traffic on the "Ferragosto" holiday, but a special permit made the trip possible.
The participants not only enjoyed a well-cooked polenta, but also a fabulous view.
In the afternoon, the journey then took us to Turin, where a hotel in the former Fiat factory Lingotto provided a much-needed place to sleep.
A tough 20 hours
The third day, including the night, was dedicated to the actual Alpine Brevet. The aim was to conquer as many predetermined passes as possible between noon at 12:00 and 08:00 the next morning and to document the passage with photos: Iseran, Bourg St. Maurice, Madelaine, Défilé du Maupas, Ornon, Festre, Espréaux, Garçinets, St. Jean, Allos, Cayolle, Bonette, Lombarde. This meant covering a distance of around 950 km at an average speed of around 50 km/h. Not an easy undertaking, especially as the full moon was barely visible at night and some of the roads were in rather rudimentary condition.
At the drivers' briefing, Georg Dönni made it clear to the participants that everyone was responsible for themselves and that the Highway Code naturally applied. "This is not a guided school trip for minors," he warned the participants who were ready to set off.
Not without mishaps
The first vehicles had already broken down before Kandersteg and in Stresa respectively, but the many passes were then too much for even more cars. A broken wheel bearing, failing fuel pumps, a burst oil cooler and other defects forced one team or another to retire.
Two teams then only made it back to Turin by cab, not without "taking on" another pass on the way back.
On the test oval of the Lingotto factory
The reward on Saturday morning was a trip to the test oval at the Lingrotto factory in Turin.
The vehicles were guided onto the roof in groups via the still intact auger.
There they were able to drive on the renovated three quarters of the former entry track on the roof, including the one banked curve. It was an unforgettable experience for everyone and they also learned on this occasion that the Lingotto factory, built between 1916 and 1923, is not only an architectural masterpiece, but was also the largest car factory in the world at the time.
Inspired by the car factories in Detroit, Agnelli wanted to ramp up similar production. Because he did not have as much space as the Americans, he set up the car production on several floors. Downstairs, the steel and raw materials were brought in by train, and from there the cars, including the Topolino, took shape until they could be tested on the roof and driven in.
Three of the six Minis made it to the Lingotto roof and drove in formation through the banked curve, almost like in a movie.
Even more "italian job"
After a short nap, we explored the city of Turin on Saturday evening. An extremely motivated lady explained the various locations of the film "The Italian Job" in charming Italian English and pointed out the cultural highlights of the geometrically oriented city of Turin.
From the double-decker bus, you could also catch a glimpse of the water weir over which the Minis drove in the film. And, of course, the arcades through which the Minis raced and the shopping gallery were also part of the tour.
And in passing, the resolute lady also told us that her father once worked at Bertone and was involved in the Miura prototype!
Over a leisurely dinner, Georg Dönni confirmed the passport collection achievement in the form of gold, silver or bronze-colored plaques on the rock crystal trophy.
The next morning, the participants travel home individually, most of them by classic car, some of the unfortunate ones by train, plane or rental car.
Almost like in the movie
For the author of these lines, the return trip was again related to the movie. He was allowed to drive the Lamborghini Miura over the Great St. Bernard in the footsteps of Roger Beckermann. However, 50 years ago there was probably neither a continuous 50 km/h limit nor a safety line running almost all the way to the top of the pass ...
Not only the writer, but all participants were enthusiastic about the biggest Alpenbrevet 2019 so far. Next time, however, it should be less complex again, said Georg Dönni at the farewell ...
For more photos, an additional picture gallery has been created with all the pictures of the participating vehicles .
