Franciacorta Historic 2024
We sponsor excitement

Cascina San Lorenzo, April 5-6, 2024

The 17th edition of the Franciacorta Historic was truly memorable: two thrilling days of sporting spirit and automotive elegance flew by as collectors, drivers, preparation technicians, journalists and spectators met and shared the excitement.

We’re proud to have sponsored this event, inspired by our passion for the world of classic and vintage cars, where style and car culture find their highest expression. And where we at BSA, specialists in handcrafted suspensions, play our part alongside mechanics, preparation technicians and owners.

Arrival at Cascina San Lorenzo. Catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Centre photo, from left: Dario Formiconi and Davide Bosa with sports journalist Guido Schittone and organizer Roberto Vesco. In the photo on the right, Davide Bosa with Carlo Miniotti, preparation technician.

130 km through the heart of Franciacorta, by way of Lake Iseo

Leaving Cascina San Lorenzo at 11 a.m., the regularity rally saw vintage models and classic cars compete along a stunningly beautiful scenic route: 130 km winding through the quaint villages and gorgeous vineyards of Franciacorta, passing through Paratico, on the shores of Lake Iseo. This year a record 58 cars lined up for the time trials.

Aside from the pleasure of catching up with long-time friends, the Franciacorta Historic was an opportunity to meet new ones. Thanks to the lovely spring weather and impeccable organization, we savoured every moment of the event from the Friday evening reception with the first arrivals, to the distribution of race numbers and the tales of exploits and future plans around a table, over a glass of bubbly. On Saturday morning, at 11 a.m., everyone was on time at their starting places, ready to race.

The route of the regularity rally: 130 km through the stunning Franciacorta vineyards. (Photo © Pierpaolo Romano)

Elegance and competitive drive

This year’s regularity rally saw 120 crews compete. Among the participating cars were 40 pre-war models and more than 10 from the 1920s. Alongside the oldest and most luxurious models, built entirely by hand, there were gems like the iconic Mini Cooper Innocenti, the symbol of an era. We had the pleasure of seeing some gorgeous, truly  legendary vehicles in the race. It was like visiting an open-air museum, where everything was in motion and each engine’s unmistakable voice was heard: from a Balilla to a Bugatti, from a Lancia coupe to a Porsche Speedster convertible.

Lorenzo and Mario Turelli, father and son from Brescia, won the rally by a whisker in a 1934 Fiat 508 S, ahead of the Bellini-Tiberti crew in a 1937 Fiat 508 C. Aboard a similar car were third-place finishers Federico and Alberto Riboldi. Luigino Gennaro and “Steve Clark” won the 9th Comune di Paraticotrophy in a 1974 Porsche 911 S and were awarded a Riva Aquarama speedboat, known as the Ferrari of the Sea.

Among the racing teams overall, victory went to Franciacorta Motori, which placed four crews in the first six positions.

Carrying out a check in Paratico on Lake Iseo. Crews on the lakefront. (Photo © Pierpaolo Romano)

Historic luxury is of value to us all

When we got back to our garage after the Franciacorta Historic, we felt an even stronger awareness of how privileged we are to be doing work that we’re passionate about. As suspension specialists for cars of historic interest, when we put our hands on these masterpieces, we do so with the sense of respect and craftsmanship that are indispensable when approaching such unique, valuable objects. As with a fine watch, every single cog in the mechanics of these jewels is as important as the aesthetics.

When we take part in these events, and in our daily work, we at BSA consider the stylistic and technological evolution of the automobile to be a cultural heritage that belongs to us all, a shared history we should bring to life on the roads at every possible opportunity. These rallies are a delight to the senses and an invaluable opportunity to learn from those who came before us.