GULF OF NAPLES, REGGIA DI CASERTA, AMALFI COAST: FIRST DAY OF THE RACE UNDER THE BANNER OF ITALIAN EXCELLENCE

The departure of Facchini and Olivetti in a 1938 BMW 328 from Piazza Veniero in Sorrento marked the start of the first day of the Sorrento Roads by 1000 Miglia 2023 race.

Leaving the city, the crews headed north to the town of Vico Equense, located among the Gulf of Naples, the Lattari Mountains and the Gulf of Salerno, and then carried out the first Time Trials of the race along the Strada Statale Sorrentina SS 145, on the south-eastern shore of the Gulf of Naples. Passing through the metropolitan area of Campania’s capital city, the convoy then drove up to the baroque and neoclassical jewel of the Reggio di Caserta, the largest royal residence in the world that belonged to the Bourbons-Two Sicilies.

In the portion of the Reggia that houses the Air Force Specialists School, the competing crews had the opportunity and privilege to immerse themselves in a unique scenario in terms of grandeur, beauty and historical value, and to take part in the Time Trials valid for the Air Force Centenary Trophy. Once the cars were parked, the participants were also able to enjoy a visit to the Reggia, before lunch at the Specialists School.

With the Passage Controls at 1:30 p.m., the activities started once again, and the crews departed in the direction of the hinterland up to the Monti Lattari, the western extension of the Campania Apennines that forms the backbone of the Sorrento peninsula. After crossing the Chiunzi Pass, the crews tackled the block of Time Trials at Capitignano, before arriving at the Amalfi Coast, and being welcomed in the splendid town of Maiori, with a break dedicated to Palazzo Mezzacapo, a 16^th-century building renovated in the 18^th century, famous for its splendid garden and now the Town Hall.

The breath-taking view of the hairpin bends overhanging the Tyrrhenian Sea among which, nestled in the jagged cliffs, emerge pearls like Amalfi and Positano, could not be missed in the places crossed by the Sorrento Roads. Before returning to Sorrento, Sant’Agata sui due Golfi provided an opportunity to taste the renowned local ice cream in a quick break.

The day came to an end with the Priora Time Trials before the final finish line with the Time Controls in Piazza Veniero in the heart of Sorrento.