STYLE AND SOUND A PLENTY AT AUTO ITALIA

Flights had been booked from early January but the wait was finally over and the day had come for our  group of nearly 20 intrepid NIIMC members to set off on our expedition to the annual Auto Italia event at Brooklands, Surrey.

Auto Italia is widely regarded as one of the best events in the motoring calendar. Developed over the last 30 years in association with Auto Italia magazine, the Italian Car Day has become established as the UKs premier event for owners and admirers of Italian cars.

On arrival at Gatwick airport we picked up our fleet of Fiats which would be our transport for the day. We had 4 Fiat 500s and a 500X and once we had squeezed our back seat passengers into our 1.2 Pop 500s we set off for Brooklands.  As we were arriving in Italian cars we were able to drive directly into the event. The closer we got to Brooklands the abundance of Italian cars was evident – the line up at the gate did not disappoint. In one line there were Ferraris and Maseratis galore, and sitting adjacent to them there were Abarths, Lancia Delta Integrales and the iconic and much loved Fiat 500s and the 70’s classic the Alfa Romeo GTV. To add further interest an Iso Grifo rumbled up commanding many admiring glances.

Once parked up everyone split into smaller groups and set off to explore the truly stunning line up of Italian beauties. The sheer number and variety of Lamborghinis and Ferraris in particular was simply breathtaking. I have never seen so many Lambos gathered together in the one place before – there were Aventadors, Huracans, Gallardos, Diablos, Countachs, Espadas, Jalpas, Urracos, Reventons, Murcielago, Jaramas and even the LM002 off roader.

Look one way and the car park was jammed full of Alfa Romeos and Abarths and look the other towards the remaining section of the famous banked circuit and there were Fiats and Lancias galore.  At one stage the assembled Maserati drivers decided to have a “rev off” to see whose car sounded best – it was music to everyone’s ears and very entertaining.

There was so much to see and admire including the Test Hill demonstration and action on the Mercedes-Benz World circuit which is adjacent to Brooklands Museum. The thrills on the circuit drew the crowds as those taking their cars for a trip round the track opened the loud pedal and filled the air with the addictive sound from their powerful engines and sports exhausts.

Unfortunately for one unlucky driver of a Lamborghini Gallardo Spider the thrill was short lived and quickly turned into a spill as he lost control when exiting a corner and the car drifted across the grass before hitting the arm cove barrier – ouch!! As the photos show the passenger side rear wheel and suspension took the impact and I dread to think how costly the repair bill will be.

The day passed all too quickly and after a welcome meal en route to the airport and a quick re-fuel of our hire cars we boarded our flight home to Belfast (apart from our Southern representative, David Kennedy who departed for Dublin).

Everyone agreed that our excursion to Auto Italia had been well worth the effort. It was memorable not just for the range and quality of cars on display but also for the craic and banter between club members (I could hardly concentrate on my driving with the jokes and the laughter from Simon Mooney and David Laird who were nestled close behind me in my 500!!).

Many members have vowed to return next year  – if you have never been I can highly recommend it. It is a must see event for any car loving enthusiast.

Tim Logan
Club Secretary