BOLIDI VERSO LA VETTA - LA STORIA AFFASCINANTE DELLA CATANIA-ETNA E DELLE SPORT ARTIGIANALI SICILIANE
RACING TOWARDS THE SUMMIT - THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF THE CATANIA-ETNA AND SICILIAN-MADE SPECIAL SPORTS CARS
The Catania-Etna hill climb was successfully held from 1939 to 1972, with the exception of a few breaks initially caused by the war and later by organizational difficulties. Spanning 33 kilometers in length over an elevation gain of 1,880 meters, this classic race historically ranks among the longest in Italy.
Furthermore, following the cancellation of the Giro di Sicilia (Tour of Sicily) in the late 1950s, it became the second most important road competition in Sicily, surpassed only by the renowned Targa Florio.
Over the years, the Catania-Etna race enjoyed growing success among the public, and the participation of drivers was remarkable, with some editions boasting over 200 competitors.
The route, taking drivers from Catania to the Casa Cantoniera, can be divided into two main sections: an initial fast and mixed stretch, followed by a more winding and technical segment starting from Nicolosi up to the finish line.
Some of the most celebrated car manufacturers in the world faced off on this climb, including Maserati (which took first place uninterruptedly from 1955 to 1962), Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and Lancia.
Countless champions triumphed on Mount Etna, including motorsport legends like Eugenio Castellotti, Piero Taruffi, Nino Vaccarella, Giovanni Rocco, Giovanni Bracco, Piero Scotti, Luigi Bellucci, Mennato Boffa, Odoardo Govoni, Domenico Scola, female racing pioneer Maria Teresa de Filippis, and well-known local drivers like Totò Calascibetta and Ignazio Capuano.
Bolidi verso la vetta is a rich visual and historical record, featuring 624 historical images that capture the immense importance the Catania-Etna race held for the city of Catania itself.
Complementing the authors' extensive research are 80 pages dedicated exclusively to Sicilian sports car artisans, as well as an insightful introduction by historian Alessandro Silva, which focuses on the origins of hill climb racing and its expansion throughout Italy and specifically within the Catania region.
368 pages. Text in Italian and English.
Product specification
Additional information
Write a Review
Login or Register to write your review
You might also like
