As the curtain fell on the 2022 Modena Cento Ore, it was clear once again that this event is one of the most popular Classic European events. This year, we were lucky enough to be part of the Competition crews in our 1965 Ford Shelby Mustang, we love the MCO it has all the key ingredients — circuit races, amazing scenery, road trips and closed road special stages— all these combined together make it extra special and when the racing stops the drivers actually get the chance to socialise, and sample the delights of the superb hotels and the fabulous Italian culinary delights that make the country so famous.
This year, the mid-week gala evening was held in the spectacular setting of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, which was specially opened for the occasion. An incredible setting adorned with frescoes by Vasari was a very special treat.
Held at the later time of year, due to Covid event shuffling this usually high summer event was held in early October, and we were lucky – the weather was remarkably warm and sunny.
As always, there were a few casualties throughout the week – sad to see – but thankfully all those concerned escaped unharmed. The event came to a climax in the centre of the city of Modena, the heart of Motor Valley: a parade of all the cars past the foot of the Ghirlandina tower, after they had completed the last leg, in Piazza Grande. You can read the full report from our team and other runners in Auto Addicts Journal Volume 10. Due out in early December. Click here to pre-order
Continuing a Modena Cento Ore tradition, part of the proceeds from the event are being donated to charity, specifically to the Panathlon Club of Modena. The donation will help to support sports projects for disabled children.
The Rankings
In the pre-1965 C/D/E/F Competition category, first place went to Thomas Kern and Stephan Peyer driving a 1964 Jaguar E-Type, second to Stan Novakovic and Christine Novakovic-Leitner in a 1965 Shelby American Mustang GT 350, and third to Mark Freeman and Mike Ellis in a 1964 AC Shelby Cobra 289.
In the post-1965 G/H/I Competition category, first place was won by Kris Rosenberger and Nicola Bleicher in a 1981 Porsche 911 SC Group 4. They were followed by Paolo Marzatico and Federico Ferrari in a 1975 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 RSR, while third place went to Glenn Janssens and Wim Decock in a 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS.
The Index of Performance category was won by Albert Otten and Silvia Zanardi in a 1939 BMW 328 Roadster. Second place went to Martin Halusa and Susanne Halusa in a 1951 Ferrari 212 Export, while Augustin Sabatié-Garat and Mark Donaldson in a 1951 Jaguar XK 120 O.T.S took third place.
First place in the Regularity event went to Peter Kappeler and Marie Tourneur in a 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint; Axel Urban and Andrea Urban in a 1972 Porsche 911 T took second place, and Mike Sheehan and Carolyn Sheehan in a 1962 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 came third.
The winners of the Period categories were:
Period I: Kris Rosenberger and Nicola Bleicher in a 1981 Porsche 911 SC Group 4
Period H: Paolo Marzatico and Federico Ferrari in a 1975 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 RSR
Period G: Max Banks and Andrew Banks in a 1969 Alfa Romeo 1300 GTA Corsa Autodelta
Period F: Thomas Kern and Stephan Peyer in a 1965 Jaguar E-Type
Period E: Diego Meier and Sarah Amoroso in a 1953 Ferrari 250 MM
The prize for the circuit stages went to Didier Sirgue and Arthur Sirgle, who drove a 1976 De Tomaso Pantera GR IV.
The prize for the special stages was awarded to Kris Rosenberger and Nicola Bleicher in a 1981 Porsche 911 SC Group 4.
The Best Team prizes went to Edi Wyss Engineering for the Regularity section and the GTO Racing Team for the Competition section.
The Mechanical Miracle prize for technical support was awarded to the service crew working with Timothy A. Hartnoll and Rupert Bravery, and their 1934 Alfa Romeo 8C Monza, in recognition of the fact that they managed to get the oldest car in the whole Modena Cento Ore across the finish line.
The Oldest Crew, Youngest Car prize was won by Anthony John Pozner and Roger Nathan who competed in a 1998 Porsche 993 Turbo S.
The Scuderia Largest Team award went to Scuderia Formula GT.
Finally, the Meyer family took home the special Largest Family prize.
About Canossa Events
The Cento Ore continues to be the only green event in this industry. Canossa Events also confirmed its ecofriendly outlook by once again implementing a CarbonZero protocol: the residual CO2 emissions produced by the Modena Cento Ore 2022 will be completely offset by the planting of new trees in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. La Modena Cento Ore remains the only ‘zero emissions’ event of its kind.
In addition, as further confirmation of its commitment to maintaining high standards of environmental awareness, Canossa has applied for and obtained UNI EN ISO 14001: 2015 certification.
The success of the Modena Cento Ore is possible also thanks to the involvement of excellent partners such as world-leading auction house RM Sotheby’s, Sparco and I Greppi.
At the end of the event, Luigi Orlandini, President and CEO of Canossa Events and Cavallino, commented: “We have finally seen a return to the good old pre-pandemic days, with 100 fantastic cars arriving from all over the world, from Hong Kong to Brazil, and 18 countries represented. It was a very hard-fought competition, right up to the last special stage, and we couldn’t have asked for better conditions: five full days of summery sunshine. My thanks to all the participants and the whole team for this 21st edition, which has been a huge success.”
Photos: Canossa Events Press
