Published on: 06/27/2024 Updated on: 02/2025
Abruzzo starring in the ASI Circuito Tricolore
The Abruzzo Gran Tour and the Avezzano Circuit are two simultaneous events, scheduled July 2-7, that are part of the ASI calendar. And Mafra supports both events and the participants, with whom it shares a passion.
Two in one. And always with Abruzzo as the protagonist. From July 2 to 7, in fact, the roads of this region will be the setting for historic cars with theAbruzzo Grand Tour and the Avezzano Circuit.. Two concomitant events, in which the participants in the first also converge in the second, creating a great event.
Both are part of the calendar of theASI Circuito Tricolore, whose entire season enjoys the support of Mafra.
A bit of history
Abruzzo has a long tradition in motorsports events. In fact, the first edition of a motorsports trophy dates back to 1952; that race was run for thirteen editions.
In 1980 the Avezzano-Monte Salviano hill climb was organized and was on the calendar until 1994; five years later it was the turn of a regularity race.
Since 2021, the Avezzano Circuit has been part of theASI Circuito Tricolore, while the first edition of theAbruzzo Gran Tour will be held in 2023. The intent of the event is for participants to discover the beauty of the region, from L'Aquila to Sulmona to the Gran Sasso d'Italia, known as the "little Tibet."
The car rallies are joined, a hundred years after the first edition, by the reenactment of the Fucino Cup, reserved for motorcycles built in the 1920s and 1930s.
Team Mafra at the Abruzzo Gran Tour.
We at Mafra are also taking part in the Abruzzo event, with the crew consisting of Francesco Di Florio, Mafra Head of Marketing & Communication, and Enrico di Mauro, who, with his Bruce Garage, tests and narrates with posts and videos on YouTube and social channels the most beautiful cars of yesterday and today.
At theAbruzzo Gran Tour, the Mafra crew will line up with a splendid example of a 1973 Fiat 124 Abarth Rally, a car with which the Mafra standard-bearers have previously competed in races such as the Rally Monte-Carlo Historique, the Targa Florio, the Summer Marathon and the WinteRace. A specimen in perfect condition, thanks in part to the use of Mafra products for car care, recently restored to its original light blue color.
Derived from the 124 Sport Spider and produced in a little more than a thousand examples between 1972 and '75, the 124 Abarth Rally mounted a 1,800 twin-shaft 4-cylinder with 128 hp as standard. Compared to the "normal" Spider, it was distinguished by a fixed hardtop roof and fiberglass hoods (matte black in color) and aluminum doors, which kept the weight down to 945 kg. The top speed was 190 km/h.
Elaborated for competition, the 124 Abarth seized important results, winning two European and three Italian titles in the specialty and imposing itself in the World Rally of Portugal.
Two programs in one
TheAbruzzo Grand Tour and the Avezzano Circuit are two separate events whose participants, at some point in the program, meet and complement each other. Both events are reserved for cars built up to 1972 uncovered. The organizers reserve the choice of those allowed, giving preference to prewar examples, Sport barchettas and spiders. The events are for cultural and recreational purposes, and drivers must comply with the rules of the Highway Code.
The Grand Tour program begins on Tuesday, July 2, with a visit to Avezzano's tunnels of Claudius. These are a network of tunnels built by Emperor Claudius between 41 and 52 AD. Their purpose was to regulate the level of Lake Fucino, protecting the towns on the banks from flooding. Before their commissioning, the emperor had a naval battle show organized on the waters of the lake. A welcome dinner is then scheduled at 8 p.m. at Villa Massimo, amid the greenery of Mount Salviano.
Wednesday, July 3 the path goes Avezzano to Francavilla al Mare and it is long 175 kilometers. The locations touched by the participants along the route are. Cerreto Source, the Mucciante Gran Sasso and Penne Refuge, where the cloister of the town hall is visited. Ristoro Mucciante is located in the Plain of Campo Imperatore and is known for its arrosticini, a typical Abruzzo specialty. Dinner is scheduled at 8:30 p.m. at the resort Villa Maria in Francavilla al Mare.
The Abruzzo Grand Tour resumes Thursday, July 4, at 9 a.m. with the cars heading to Guardiagruele, one of Italy's most beautiful villages whose historic center is visited. Immediately afterwards it is the turn of theAbbey of San Giovanni in Venere in Fossacesia (CH), whose origins date back to the early 1200s.
After brunch, the caravan heads back to the Villa Maria resort in Francavilla al Mare for a moment of relaxation. Instead, dinner is planned on the Costa dei Trabocchi, special wooden stilts used for fishing that characterize the Chieti coast.
On Friday, July 5, the route includes the return from Francavilla al Mare to Avezzano, for a total of 154 kilometers. This is the day when, during the return to L'Aquila, participants in the two different events, the Abruzzo Gran Tour and the Avezzano Circuit, meet, to continue the program together.
On Saturday, July 6, participants tackle an 86-kilometer loop, starting and returning to Avezzano. At 9:15 a.m. the Micangeli Trophy is staged, while at 10:15 a.m., in Camporotondo, it is the turn of the X-Fuel Trophy.
At 11 a.m., crews have the opportunity to visit the historic center of Tagliacozzo, where, at 12:30 p.m., lunch is held at Ducal Palace. Its origins date back to the first half of the 14th century, but over the centuries the structure has undergone numerous modifications.
From 3 p.m., a concert is held for participants at the Talia Theater. Having resumed the cars, we head for Scurcola Marsicana, where the program includes, at 4:30 p.m., the Strada dei Parchi Trophy.
Starting at 5 p.m., the cars and motorcycles are displayed in Piazza Risorgimento in Avezzano. Then, after a light dinner at the hotel, the 12th Avezzano Circuit-Coppa Di Lorenzo and the second Historic Reenactment of the Marsica Motorcycle Circuit kick off at 9:30 pm.
The event concludes Sunday, July 7, in Avezzano, with the awards ceremony, scheduled from 10 a.m. at the Plana Hotel, followed by a brunch.
Mafra is alongside all participants in this week of passion and sport on Abruzzo's roads.
