Fuori Concorso 2024 – British Racing Green
GRAND PRIX VILLA DEL GRUMELLO
In the world of automotive events, some years are better than others. And 2019 was historical! Being definitely one to remember, it had two very important players popping up on the heat map – the I.C.E. St. Moritz and Fuori Concorso. Fast forward five years and both are well established enterprises. The latter, founded by automotive connoisseur and a flamboyant fashion entrepreneur Guglielmo Miani is now a destination of its own, each year running an interestingly themed show. This year, it was all about British Racing Green.
And the racing vibe could not have been felt any better right from the crossing of the gates at Villa del Grumello. A beautiful road leading up to the villa was transformed into an start-stop straight filled with the most remarkable single seaters there ever were. The line-up of around fifteen F1 cars included the 1976 Surtees TS19 in controversial Durex livery, Niki Lauda’s 1973 BRM in Marlboro livery, a 1988 Brabham Alfa Romeo BT45B or the McLaren MP4/14 in which Mika Häkkinen clinched the World Championship title back in 1999. What a set, and well… it was just the beginning!
THE ULTIMATE CLASSICS
After the spectacular F1 grid, there stood one more car oh-so familiar with the very same acronym – the McLaren F1 GTR. The presented vehicle in FINA livery bearing chassis number 18R has been the third, spare competition car for Team Bigazzi. Although it didn’t race at Le Mans, it has later famously been driven by Nelson Piquet, winning three non-championships events. Nowadays, it holds a place as one of the crown jewels of a Swiss collection full of other McLaren F1s.
Few steps away displayed was a couple of other British masterpieces – a 1955 Jaguar D-Type ‘Long Nose’ and a 1967 Lola T70. The former, bearing chassis number XKD504 was the very first of five racing examples set to race in 1955. Although it ended up being a spare car to begin with, it got its racing chance at Silverstone and Nürburgring later in the season. Unsuccessful, unfortunately. The Lola, on the other hand, is one of the most refined specimens of this model there are. Equipped with a Chevy V8 and a fully synchronised ZF gearbox, the MKIII version is as true to its roots as a T70 can be.
A SPECTACULAR COACHBUILDING PREMIERE
Then, in-between Villa del Grumello and Villa Sucota something very special took place – the static premiere of the Alpine AGTZ Twin-Tail. A collaboration between the famous coachbuilding studio Zagato and Polish dealership La Squadra, the project design team took two stunning racers – the A220 ‘Longtail’ and ‘Short Tail’ – and blended them into a modern, limited production car based on the Alpine A110S.
The result is stunning! This extraordinary vehicle indeed has two distinct souls and stands true to how one would expect a Zagato car to look like. Double-bubble roof. Check! Incredible reinterpretation of the classics. Check! Innovative rear-body, effectively enclosing two cars in one. Check, check, check! If you are curious (and you should be!) to dive deep into the story of the AGTZ Twin-Tail and its predecessors, you can read more here.
AN ASTON MARTIN TAKEOVER
This year’s theme obliged! And what other brand could write a more inspiring chapter under the British Racing Green theme than Aston Martin?! The brand from Gaydon took over the entire Villa Sucota and made it their stronghold. Leading up to its centre was an incredibly rare pre-war racer – the 1933 Aston Martin 1.5L Le Mans. This particular chassis H3/303/S is one of only 106 ever built, proudly displaying the brands racing legacy not only at Fuori Concorso but also through partaking in Mille Miglia in recent years. Funnily enough it didn’t match the BRG theme, rocking a classy Royal Blue.
One of my favourite Astons on display was even rarer – the open-top DB3S stopped production at only thirty ever made, and this specimen remains fully original. With eye-catching white chassis finished with two blue stripes it shouts “speed” now as much as it did back in the 1956, when it was delivered to the American privateer racer Joe Lubin. And just look at these dials! I wish I could hop inside the cockpit and drive away.
To cater all gustoes, there was a more modern accent, too. The Aston Martin DB12 and One-77 proudly represented the pinnacle of exclusive supersport grand-tourers and for a moment, one could feel as if James Bond was nearby!
THE ICONS OF COOL
But after all, the entire event spins around the spirit of ‘la dolce vita’ and hands down, it was there to experience all weekend long. Parkways were strolled by classy automotive aficionados, enthusiastic visitors or… incredibly cool F1 legends. Check out that cowboy look sported by Arturo Merzario and, coming back to iconic liveries, note his Marlboro belt! Chatter and laughter were omnipresent, and music set the tune of the two jolly days.
On the Fuori Concorso map, there was one particular place that embodied the above spirit to the bone – the St. Moritz Pavillion. Located up on the hill it featured a Porsche zone with florist art exhibition built around various car parts. Right outside, between various models of 911, Macans or even a Taycan with a roof tent, people boogied to the rhythm set by the DJ and enjoyed delicious gelato. An embodiment of Icons of Cool, if you ask me!
ANOTHER ONE FOR THE BOOKS
Fuori Concorso’s brand is already strongly established in the automotive world. With events branded by Guglielmo Miani’s concept happening all year long – including smaller gatherings and rallies – the weekend in May is one to look forward to every single year. Interesting panel talks, branded stands by Marc Philipp Gemballa, Koenigsegg showing its entire production range or Lotus proudly presenting the electric Evija were only a few aspects of the show I couldn’t give you a more comprehensive grasp of.
With the event heat map loaded with concourses of elegance deeply enrooted in the history of car manufacturing, a more laid-back gatherings such as Fuori Concorso bring that long awaited fresh breeze to the table. And whilst at their core I think I enjoyed more the “Aero” and “Turbo” themes from previous years, the time spent with friends around some of the best classic- and supercars under the British Racing Green umbrella is definitely one to remember, too. Complimenti, Guglielmo and team, you did it once again!
Text & Photos: Adam Pekala ©
