On the hills of the Val d'Arda among the ups and downs, curves and villages on the border between the provinces of Piacenza and Parma for about half a century there has been an amateur tourist competition for classic cars with skill tests.
In the 1980s the first re-enactments of “classic” uphill races were held; in the 1990s the “Vernasca Silver Flag” was born from these rallies. At present, the competition includes amateurs competing in the “beginner tourists” section and amateurs who participate more competitively in the skill tests held over the course of an entire day.
The Castell'Arquato-Vernasca in 2024 takes place on Sunday, September 15 with registration, start, finish and awards center in the town of Lugagnano Val d'Arda.
The classic points where the cars can be seen parading are the hairpin bends leading to Vernasca, or in Lugagnano at the start.
For edition No. 47 (the numbering also includes the 17 “Classic” editions of the uphill race), the program includes a route of about 100 kilometers, and about 40 skill tests to be carried out for the final result.
The route of the event loops the hilly roads of the Arda, Chiavenna and Stirone valleys. With passages in Vigolo Marchese Castell'Arquato, Cortina, high Bacedasco, and then Vernasca to climb up to the 800-meter junction for Vezzolacca-Castelletto and then downhill to the Mignano dam.
A corollary of the day refreshments and lunch at local establishments in the area.
