AC Shelby Cobra 289, Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 RSR, BMW 328 Roadster, and Porsche 911 RS took the top podium spots at the Modena Cento Ore, which concluded in Modena. The four-day event, featuring special stages on closed roads and track races, was yet another resounding success, drawing participants from across the globe.
With the weather alternating between storms and sudden sunshine, the 2024 edition of the Modena Cento Ore was even more challenging and exciting. The event started in Rimini and, after circuit races and special stages on closed roads, concluded in Modena, illuminated by the sun, with the cars cutting the finish line in front of the Palazzo Ducale and with the prizegiving ceremony and final party. Over the course of four days, the competing cars tackled the tough roads of the Apennines in Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, discovering Italian gems like San Marino, Arezzo, Forlì and Florence. Adding to the spectacle races at the Misano, both daytime and nighttime, and Mugello circuits, offering a thrilling spectacle for spectators, who warmly welcomed the extraordinary cars and their crews along the streets, in town squares, and at the circuits.
There isn’t a single winner at the Modena Cento Ore as it is open to cars between the 30s and the 80s, that can participate in the “Competition” or “Regularity” section. The challenge was fierce over the four days in all the categories.
In the Competition category, the “pre-1965” classification (open to cars belonging to FIA periods D, E and F) was won by the 1964 AC Shelby Cobra of Swiss-German crew Michael and Peter Hinderer, followed by the 1960 Ferrari 250 Berlinetta SWB Competizione driven by Roderick and Elizabeth Jack from the UK, and the 1965 Lotus Elan 26R piloted by Martin Eyears and Amanda Stretton, also from the UK.
Meanwhile, the 1975 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 RSR driven by the Italian crew Domenico Guagliardo and Giovanni Campeis claimed victory in the G/H/I classification (for cars built from 1966 onwards). Second place went to Kris Rosenberger, Austrian, and Nicola Bleicher, Bavarian, in their 1981 Porsche 911 SC, while the French Mr. John of B and Sibel took third with their 1971 Ferrari 512M, a Sport Prototype car that can be seen on Italian roads only at the Modena Cento Ore.
In the special Index of Performance category, where times are adjusted using a coefficient related to the age and performance of each car, the oldest car in the competition made its mark: the 1938 BMW 328 Roadster driven by Albert Otten and Uwe Drange, both from Germany. They were followed by the “brits” Roderick and Elizabeth Jack in their stunning 1960 Ferrari 250 Berlinetta SWB Competizione, while Martin and Susanne Halusa took third in their 1952 Ferrari 212 Export.
The Regularity section was just as fiercely contested: Karsten and Patricia Wohlenberg from Germany took first place in their 1972 Porsche 911 RS, followed by Peter Kappeler (Swiss) and Marie Tourneur (French) in a 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint. Third place went to Jakub and Petr Kejdus from the Czech Republic in their stunning 1967 Jaguar MK II.
Belgian driver Glenn Janssen was the author of an incredible overtaking at Mugello in a very wet race, at the last corner of the last lap, after 6 laps behind the safety car.
Enzo Mattioli Ferrari and his codriver Hussein Kedier had a major chassis breakage and their mechanics had to work overnight and source spare parts from different garages in Italy eventually were back in the game just missing the first special stage of the third leg.
There are many good mechanics at the Modena Cento Ore. Just to mention a few more, the incredibly fast gearbox replacement made by Glenn’s team of mechanics in just 7 minutes between Special Stages 6 and 7, or the lightning-fast tire replacement by Lee Jones in Misano.
A special thank you to Albert Otten – Uwe Drange and Thomas Kern – Gian-Pietro Rossetti, who bravely challenged the rain in their two open-top cars, a 1939 BMW 328 Roadster and a 1966 AC Shelby Cobra 427 S/C respectively.
This year’s event once again featured a strong international presence, with the United Kingdom leading the way with over 60 participants, followed by Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Lebanon, Portugal, Luxembourg, Czech Republic and even far-flung places like the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil and Zambia, for a total of 20 countries represented in the grids.
Luigi Orlandini, Chairman & CEO of Canossa Events, and the entire Canossa team would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the cities of Modena, Rimini, Florence, San Marino, Arezzo, Anghiari, Sansepolcro, Chiusi della Verna, Bagno di Romagna, Forlì, Faenza, San Donato in Fronzano, and Scarperia e San Piero for the warm welcome to the rally. A huge thank you to the Region of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, the Ministry of Infrastructures, ACI Sport, the Sports Officers, the Clerk of the Course, and all the hundreds of passionate marshals involved in making this event safe and successful. A very special thanks go to the Polizia Stradale and the Local Police of Modena for their spectacular support.
Last but not least, a special thanks also goes to all the partners and sponsors of Modena Cento Ore: Ferrari Trento and Tenute Lunelli with their exceptional wines; Blackfin for their high-quality titanium glasses; RevelX and their Italian leather gloves; Officina Delle Essenze, Orlandini Gadgets and Wave Italy.
RM Sotheby’s long-time main partner, as always, supported the event and was present with two crews at the Modena Cento Ore 2024.
For complete rankings: https://www.cronocarservice.com/event/modena-cento-ore-2024/
