Back to its Italian roots: Prova Resistenza Veicoli Automobili Province Venete 1899

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It was way back in June 1899 that a group of wealthy noblemen from Veneto, who discovered the first motor vehicles, decided to organise the first race on the best roads in Veneto through Padua, Vicenza and Treviso, and so the Prova Resistenza Province Venete Veicoli Automobili was born. The first course was 176 km long and the winner of the race was a young Ettore Bugatti with his three-wheeler Prinetti & Stucchi.

Prova Resistenza Province Venete Veicoli Automobili

A few years ago, the passionate Umberto Voltolin, together with his club, Circolo Veneto Automoto d'Epoca, decided to organise a commeration of this race.  In the spirit of the original race, the event was reserved for all types of motor vehicles until 1904 and for this third edition there were two motorbikes, two tricycles, two quadricycles and eighteen cars from different countries: Austria, Germany, France, England and, of course, Italy.

The completely flat course was reduced to 80 km and therefore shorter than the original edition. However, it passes through the original provinces: Castelfranco Veneto, Cittadella and Bassano del Grappa. The start in front of the Museo dell'Automobile Bonfanti Vimar is a real moment of friendship and joy with an amazed audience to admire the manoeuvres on how the engines were started by means of a large use of oil and pumps. Some participants walked in their epoca clothes and they remembered the "belle epoque".

Finally, the starter Umberto Voltolin shouted "Madames and misters , start the engine" and they all started for a great journey at 30 km per hour. The first to start was Christoph Schmidt's Benz Velo 1896, followed by a group of tricycles and quadricycles such as the Automoto 1898, the Rochet 1900, the Peugeot 1902 and the beautiful Singer 1901 in women's version. No less difficult to drive were the two motorbikes, Minerva 1903 and Quentin 1904, both without clutch. One by one, the cars began their journey, in particular an incredible 1899 De Dietrich that took part in the event with its owner Alexis De Dietrich, great-grandson of the builder.

The vehicles arrived at the magnificent Villa Albrizzi Marini, built in the sixteenth century. Some technical problems were soon solved by the mechanics and everyone could start again. They reached the town of Loria with its authorities and a lot of people waiting for them. Renault, Oldsmobile, Leon Buat, Isotta Fraschini, Aster and so on all names of beautiful cars that charmed the public for this not usual show.

The next stop was Castelfranco Veneto with the Villa Bolasco, seat of the University of Padua. This incredible architectural jewel from the nineteenth century, with its fresco rooms and beautiful park, is something that the participants will probably not forget in a hurry.

A new stage awaited the participants and they reached the ceramic town of Nove via a beautiful rural dirt road as it was in the original rally. The final arrival in a Bassano del Grappa full of amazed people admiring all these vehicles in good condition.  The joy on the faces of the participants is stronger than the fatigue after the hot day.

On Sunday the vehicles set off again through Bassano del Grappa to reach the famous Nardini grape factory with its famous "Bolle" a building designed by the archistar Fuksas for the final prize-giving ceremony.  A farewell to all until the next year for a new rendezvous for all the passionate participants from all over Europe.

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