Nino Vaccarella was the guest of honour at the 2011 Vernasca Silver Flag Hillclimb; with the startline at Castell’ Arquato, this is a revival of one of Italy’s great hillclimbs that took place between 1953 and 1972. This year saw the running of its 16th contemporary assault on the fabulous 8.5km course. The featured marque was Ferrari.

As the event was open only to pre-1973 competition cars, the increasingly oversubscribed international entry had to be whittled down to 172 machines dating back to the 1920s. Around 20 apri pista (‘opens the track’) cars added to the spectacle.

With 30 historic racing Ferraris entered, the enthusiastic spectators supplied the customary Italian encouragement for speed on the closed public roads. Notable examples included a 1984 ex-Michele Alboreto Formula 1 126 C4 from the 1000bhp turbo era.

An ex-Vaccarella/Juncadella 512M Le Mans was an extremely apt runner, and Galleria Ferrari brought along its Corse Clienti roadshow complete with a 1947 125S. The Alfa Romeo museum responded with an ex-Fangio 159 grand prix car – celebrating the 100th anniversary of the great Argentinian’s birth and the 60th anniversary of his 1951 F1 World Championship win. Another gem from the Arese museum included a Disco Volante Spider. Add a 1965 Scuderia Fillipinetti Ferrari 250LM, a 1953 375MM, a 1972 Ferrari F1 B3 Spazzaneve, a Lancia Stratos campaigned by Carlo Facetti, and you get the idea of this unique event.

Countless prizes were rightly bestowed, being awarded to the most evocative cars (in order): a 1931 Alfa Romeo Castagna Cabriolet, 1953 Ferrari 375MM, and a beautifully aggressive 1965 Serenissima Jet Competizione.