Firstly, it turns out differently and secondly than you think (typically saying in German: Erstens kommt es anders und zweitens als man denkt). This is how it sometimes happens when you get into the middle of an event completely unexpectedly and unprepared. This is what happened on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 on the return trip from the Vernasca Silver Flag hill climb to Switzerland. Satisfied with breakfast, the journey went leisurely along Lake Como to the north. Slowly you felt the desire for a fine espresso and you began to look for a nice restaurant, if possible close to the lake. The first difficulty, however, was finding a parking space, because in the glorious weather you really weren’t alone. All of a sudden, on the right, a whole row of free parking spaces. Can’t actually be, but it was true. Only, the parkings were reserved. Not for ordinary tourists or returnees like us, no, a special event seemed to be imminent. In the parking lot there were already 4 modern Ferraris with a large, eye-catching sticker on the front of the hood. It quickly became apparent that more vehicles had to follow.
Gran Turismo Events, 14. – 15. September 2021, Lago di Como
A brief inquiry confirmed the assumption that there was a large group of sports car fans from Scandinavia, coming from Chiavenna, the participants drove south along Lake Como and took a break in Tremezzo, across from Bellagio. The planned coffee break was quickly forgotten or was postponed when we found out that the participants would be staying at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. You did not know when and how many participants would come, but prepared for a return home much later than planned. In the meantime, it was realized that breakfast was no longer having any effect and there was a slight feeling of hunger. That fit very well, because you had to bridge the time until the other participants arrived. So you settled in comfortably – with a view of Lake Como, of course – and enjoyed your free time. The calming view of the water was most interesting. You didn’t see anything with wheels, not even with wings – or maybe you did. Sure, the hydrofoils as you can see them on all northern Italian lakes. And where there are wings on the lake, feathers cannot be far. But not of swans, grebes and ducks, no, the last of the Mohicans in Lombardy paddled on the lake.
Gran Turismo Events, 14. – 15. September 2021, Lago di Como. The canoeist seems to come from another world.
There was a lot of activity on the lake. It was Tuesday, the main holiday season was over, but life was still pulsating violently in these beautiful surroundings. Getting married on the weekend seems to be out, you do that on a Tuesday. The beautiful wooden boats really boomed with the wedding parties. And suddenly the food was served, you almost forgot that you wanted to take photos of a few sports cars. But everything, just no rush. After a while, you could hear engine noises that clearly could not have come from ‘family carriages’. Pay quickly and hit the streets. Then they came. A long column slowly moved towards the parking lot, which was gradually filled with top-class sports cars from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Porsche. Each of the 30 vehicles had a large number in modern script on the flank. That looked very classy, as everything about this event seemed classy and expensive. Gran Turismo Events was written on the top of the windshield of all vehicles. Quickly asked Mr. Google what he thinks, here is the answer.
Gran Turismo Events, 14. – 15. September 2021, Lago di Como. From September 14th to 15th, the participants stayed in the luxurious 5-star Hotel Tremezzo.
The 1,800-kilometer journey started in Trieste and ended in Rome. Not in a direct way, of course, Italy is far too beautiful for that. We photographed the participants on arrival from the hotel. Suddenly we heard a faint call, it was work at home in Switzerland. An unmistakable sign that we had to make our way home. Almost a little jealous, but we granted the participants the days ahead. The organizer GRANTURISMO EVENTS organizes various trips, e.g. also to the Mille Miglia and to race tracks. If you want to see such an event yourself in Switzerland, you have the opportunity next year from January 23rd to 27th, because a trip to St. Moritz is planned. Unfortunately, participation is no longer possible, all places are already booked. Here are the details. We’ll look at that for sure. What else is planned can be found on the organizer’s website.
