Stelvio:
Oh dear! Stelvio is over again. And like after the first time in 1999 withdrawal symptoms kick in immediately.
Just in case you ever wondered “why Stelvio”? Well this has to do with one of the novelties of the Elise while it was still being developed. The Elise was the first car with MMC “Metal Matrix Composite” (basically aluminium) brake discs. These were tested on the most demanding street that the car industry uses for brake tests: The Stelvio.
The first meeting was initiated by Tony Churly who asked on a mailing list, if we shouldn’t put a ten day tour of Europe together. Celebrate the anniversary of the Elise presentation at the Stelvio and have all the participants share their knowledge of the local roads, restaurants and hotels to blend into a great tour. 45 Elises from all over Europe joined. It was huge fun, so we did it again. And again. And again 🙂
However, there is this year to pass between the events, just like it is for christmas. But this here is worse, because it makes so much more fun. Every year after the end of the trip we start planning the next one. Eventually participants sign up. Some regulars and old hands, a lot of new ones every year too. You start building this relationship already long before the event begins. Writing back and forth by email, addressing the questions, helping to find solutions for special needs.
Then, on the afternoon of day one, when we set ourselves up at the first venue with our stickers, t-shirts and other goodies. Eventually the first Elises arrive and the people whom you only knew by mail up to this moment bring their cheerful anticipation with them. Like us they are looking forward to spending some great and memorable driving days together.
We kicked off this year’s meeting with an evening drive from Bormio to the pass. A group of virtually every participating car joined us for a nice Stelvio experience right before dinner. The street was virtually empty and dry. This year’s edition of the Stelvio tour opened with a blast.
On Saturday, apart from driving the Stelvio from all of its three sides, we stopped for lunch at the wonderful historic Hotel Bella Vista of Trafoi. The lunch was great and the stay was well rounded off with a very interesting presentation of the automotive moments in the history of the Bella Vista. Great tales of an eventful past packed into an exciting talk and slide show.
Sunday was the longest stage of the tour, because this year we wanted to transfer from the Stelvio to the Dolomites on different roads. So we went all the way north to Oetz where we turned around after lunch and headed back south. The Timmelsjoch (Passo di Rombo) was very nice, the following Jaufenpass (Pass Giovo) was a bit crammed. It was Sunday after all. After arriving at our second hotel at St Cristina we found out quickly that the hotel bar had fantastic Aperitiv.
Dolomites:
We decided to start early on Monday to beat the traffic, which worked mostly well. The first stop at Lago Fedaia for coffee gave us the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful lake and landscape. We then headed on to our personal highlight of the day: Passo Giau from south to north. Unfortunately Baby Eli started making strange noises followed by a big bang and loss of power: The downpipe had come off the manifold. Beyond repair at the roadside. We had to call for a lift on the flat bed truck to Arabba.
So we missed Giau but we took the Falzarego as a shortcut to catch up with our fellow Lotus drivers. And we managed to meet the Black Forest Lotus group just before they left from the Utia du Börz on the Würzjoch (Passo delle Erbe).
On the last day a small group of die-hards went back to Austria – via Jaufenpass and Timmelsjoch to then drive the Hahntennjoch and finally the Namloser Tal. Namlos is one of the original stages of Stelvio 1999. And, you may call me biased, but I think it is one of the greatest, most satisfying streets that you can drive with an Elise. I remember that back in 1999 I followed Dave Minter who was driving the famous “Ruby Car”. (The Elise featured in the “Inside Story” video as the car that was taken to the Netherlands for its type approval and that was also featured in may shots with Elisa.)
The final night nearby the Plansee in a hotel that is actually owned and run by BMW, we then said our good-byes and returned home. Which takes us back to the beginning and said withdrawal symptoms.
We will be missing the good vibes for a long time but we are looking forward to meeting you and your friends again in September and then do it all again.
Text by Joerg, Pictures by Luca Berton
