The calendar turns a page and we move into May, a month particularly full of appointments for all classic car and style enthusiasts. As the sun returns to shine again on European skies, the urge to return to drive or glance at wonderful collector cars becomes uncontrollable. We have created a list of events that we would never miss. Do you want to know what they are?
Grand Prix de Monaco Historique • May 11-13 • Monaco, MC
The next Grand Prix de Monaco Historique will mark the 11th edition of this prestigious event in the Principality. The 2018 edition promises to be rare and exceptional, featuring five different starting grids covering the first thirty years of the Formula 1 World Championship and over 180 Grand Prix cars selected for both their historical value and their degree of authenticity.
Following a request by drivers willing to enter pre-war cars, the A-series is coming back, as a race, in order to become THE unmissable world meeting for this category of Grand Prix cars, which were called “Formula 1” as soon as World War II ended.
1000 Miglia • May 16-19 • Brescia, I
Ninety-one years after the first of the twenty-four speed editions, held from 1927 to 1957, and after the three with the rally formula from 1959 to 1961, Wednesday May 16 2018 will be the start of the thirty-sixth re-enactment of Mille Miglia, which will be the 63rd automotive competition under the sign of the Freccia Rossa (Red Arrow).
Respecting the tradition which dates back to 1927, the route will start and end in Brescia, travelling through half of Italy before and after the turning point in Rome. As in 2017, the Mille Miglia will be held in four stages over as many days but there is a notable change for 2018. The race - instead of on Thursday - will start a day earlier, on Wednesday May 16 and will return to Viale Venezia on Saturday afternoon, May 19. Shortly thereafter, on the stage of Piazza della Loggia, the prize giving ceremony will start the long Night of the Mille Miglia.
Spa Classic • May 18-20 • Spa, B
Spa-Classic, created in 2011, has gone from strength to strength and today it is among the major European events for historic cars, followed by more than 20.000 spectators during last year’s edition. In this 6th edition, participating cars will return to compete on the fascinating track between the cities of Francorchamps, Malmedy and Stavelot inspired but altered compared to the original circuit that was designed by Jules de Their and Henri Langlois Van Ophem in 1929 and later abandoned due to several fatalities.
The current Spa-Francorchamps Circuit runs through the spectacular Ardennes woods, where spectators can easily recognize on the track the names of battles and heroes that went down in history right over those lands filled with secular trees and tales. The legendary unpredictable weather is part of a decor and an ambiance unlike any other for an exceptional event that has made an impact on the international scene.
Valletta Concours d’Elegance • May 20 • Valletta, M
The Valletta Concours d’Elegance made its debut in April 2017 and it is envisaged that this will become a yearly staple event in the Maltese Islands. The concours, born out of a collective love of vintage and classic cars and their preservation and enjoyment, will take place within the majestic setting of Valletta, itself a 16th-century baroque icon, built by the Knights of the Order of St. John.
Various categories of vehicles will be presented and the onus is on the judges to decide on the best entrant in each category, based on a predetermined set of criteria. The overall winner of the Concours d'Elegance will be the entry adjudged to be The Best in Show. The judging panel will focus primarily on originality and authenticity as well as attention to design, styling, elegance and state of preservation, among others.
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este • May 25-27 • Cernobbio, I
Refinement, exclusivity and exceptional collectible cars. The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este returns to Cernobbio, on the shores of Lake Como, with all the qualities that you would expect from an event with such a long and illustrious tradition. The gardens of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este and Villa Erba will welcome in 2018 a selection of about 50 classic cars built between the 1920s and the 1980s, divided into several categories.
The cars will be judged by an exclusive panel of experts who will award the Best of Show, namely the BMW Group Trophy. A prize for the best contemporary Concept Car was also introduced in 2002 and it has been a regular feature of the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este since then. This trophy creates a link between the glorious past and the exciting future of the automobile.
Photo credits: Federico Bajetti for The Outlierman © 2018
