FCA Heritage at the 2019 Cesana-Sestriere
The 38th edition of the Cesana-Sestriere - Trofeo Giovanni Agnelli hill climb is about to start. The event also known as "CE-SE" in the racing world was first run in 1961 and now one of the key events on the world classic motor sports scene, also valid for the European and Italian Historic Hill Climb Championships.
Over 120 drivers will get to grips with the spectacular 10.4 km course, which climbs from 1,300 metres a.s.l. in Cesana Torinese to the 2,035 of Sestriere, both famous mountain tourism destinations.
The guest of honour of the prestigious event will be Abarth that is celebrating its 70th anniversary. FCA Heritage will also be there.
Abarth and Cesana-Sestriere share a long history. The brand with the Scorpion badge was the star since the first edition of the hill climb organised by the Automobile Club Torino. The competition was created in 1961 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Italian unification. At that time, most of the cars that took part were city cars kitted out racing mechanical components specially designed by Abarth, such as exhaust pipes, oil sumps, cam axles and everything else needed to make them competitive on the hairpin bends of this race.
The Sports versions built by Abarth offered a great show over the years and twice an Abarth 3000 won the first prize, specifically in 1970 with Arturo Merzario and in 1971 with Austrian Johannes Ortner
The Scorpion badge is returning to these roads today as the leader with two classic models - an Abarth 2400 coupé (1964) and a Fiat 500 (1974) outfitted with an "Abarth Classics 595 tune-up kit" - picked from the FCA Heritage collection.
Both cars will be taking part in the "Cesana-Sestriere Experience" commemorative parade accompanied by several models picked from current production.
One of these will be the new Abarth 595 esseesse and an official example of Abarth 124 rally.