ITALIAN CAR DAY 2019
As is often the case at Italian Car Day, the
track Lamborghinis powered their way
through an automotive fantasia with two
very special new additions. In front of the
very last production Diablo VT was an eight
week-old yellow Aventador SVJ. At the other
end of the group, Jess Harfield was exercising
his 2018 Aventador Roadster, resplendent in
its turquoise blue exterior, colour-coded aero
kit and orange leather interior. This car is a
‘long term keeper’ for Jess who says he’ll be
adding some more custom pieces ready for
Brooklands next year.
We are used to seeing tribute-liveried
race and rally cars at Italian Car Day but
this year’s Alfa and Lancia track group
the car. A second car in Repsol livery had
been driven by Carlos Sainz, Kankkunen and
Auriol. Both cars are perfectly presented in
proper ‘period dress’ and we look forward to
future appearances by this group.
The popularity of period liveries even
extended to a Guardia di Finanza(Italian
finance police) Fiat Panda Mk1, apparently
released to patrol the site to check that
fiscal matters were in order. It only seemed
right that this car should have a go up the
famous 110-year-old Brooklands test hill,
renowned for the variety of participating cars
and driving styles each year. These hill runs
are always popular, with all sorts of cars and
bikes tackling the one-in-four incline.included a group of private owners and
enthusiasts with three special competition
cars, complete with a fully kitted-out ex-
Abarth rally service vehicle, originally used
on the 1992 Monte Carlo Rally. A 1990
Lancia Delta integrale circuit racer, built by
the Alfa Romeo BTCC team owner, was
joined by two works rally cars, each with its
own unique history. An ex-works Group A
SE045, now in Esso colours, was driven in
period by Juha Kankkunen. Many will
remember it in its previous Martini livery at
the end of a rally stage after a broken
throttle cable, with Kankkunen holding the
bonnet open to control the throttle
manually, while co-driver Pironen steeredJess Harfield’s eyeball-
popping turquoise Aventador
Roadster was one of over 80
Lambos on site – a record