Although we were no strangers to regularity rallies, we were not aware of what it meant toexperience the entire Alpine region for five days in a pre-war vehicle when we signed up for the Coppa delle Alpi in December 2023,
On April 29, 2024, we set off in the morning from Trieste in the direction of Slovenia to Kranjska Gora. The first pass with 51 hairpin bends is already a tough one. Our little Fiat 508 S Coppa d'Oro from 1934 with its 38 hp is put to the test for the first time. But it was only the beginning. The first stage takes us to the finish in Cortina d'Ampezzo. It goes without saying that we didn't skip any mountain passes along the way - after all, the name of the rally translates as "Alpine Trophy", and you don't get that by driving through tunnels underneath.
The second day takes us from Cortina to Seefeld. Since then we know every Dolomite pass. But the exertions were compensated by the uninterrupted view of the mountains. The roads, most of which have little traffic and lots of bends, are a treat for every classic car fan.
The start in Seefeld on the third day is cold but sunny. Anyone who thought there were no high mountains in Austria and Germany will be proven wrong. The day's stage takes us via Livigno and Bormio to St. Moritz. We realize what wonderful areas the Alps still have in store for car hikers - fantastic. The fact that we had already completed half of the 170 or so stages and were well in the running gave us additional motivation not to let up and to do our best.
On the fourth day, the "royal stage" is on the program: from St. Moritz over the Julier Pass to Vaduz, where the mayor welcomes us in the town hall. Then to Lucerne to the Museum of Transport - not quite as spectacular as the Alps, but the Zurich Oberland also offers a great panorama. Then the sky darkens and the rain begins! But with narrow tires and brake pads well protected from water in their drums, our Fiat is up to the wet drive to Gstaad.
The last day. France is the seventh country we cross. Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc presents itself from its best side; the Mont Blanc massif is impressive. The finish in Courmayeur is only 20 kilometers away. Now at the latest we realize that we can land the big coup and bring the overall victory to Switzerland. Now the trembling begins. Are we hearing noises that shouldn't be there? Doesn't the engine power seem to be decreasing?
When we cross the chequered flag in Courmayeur, our joy is indescribable. Our little Fiat has not only held out, but has actually led us to overall victory, beating much more powerful and younger vehicles. Tackling such a route with 38 hp in a 90-year-old car made the Coppa delle Alpi one of the toughest, but also most beautiful rallies we have ever driven.
