Tour of Istria is one of the last events in petrolheads calendar that took place 2-4 November. Small and fast convoy of six covered more than 500 kilometres through Mediterranean coastal roads in two days. They drove over three islands and took rest on two ferries. Everything started with cocktail at Friday in 2000 year old city of Porec (Parenzo) on Croatian coastline, not more than hundred kilometres east from Venice and few metres from Byzantine basilica under UNESCO patronage. There gathered three Ferrari bodied by Pininfarina in coupé form – Italian 250 GT and a pair of 575’s driven by ÖKP owners, Munich specialists for Italian cars. Accompanied by Porsche 911 Carrera RS driven by prominent Scuderia del Portello member that takes care of this RS for over three decades. TOPS founders came from UK by road in Alfa Romeo 164 used in “Celebrity Races” held prior to European 1988 Grand Prix races. From Vienna came Group N Lancia Delta HF Integrale.
Convoy left early at Saturday morning in a 70 kilometres run to catch early ferry and start island adventure. Foggy morning and slippery roads were soon replaced by long straights and wide turns of island roads. Sunny sky and low Mediterranean vegetation followed them all the way to tiny bridge and a next island. They drove 80 km far south and back to another ferry port for a third island visit in one day. After lunch break it was time to test drive racetrack for 15 minutes. Whole day on the road and autumn early sunset made route to be shortened and participants drove directly to Porec. Day ended with dinner in Belle Époque Villa Polesini that was opened exclusively for Tour of Istria guests.
Boring rain made Sunday more appropriate for sightseeing than driving. Morning started with visit to roman amphitheatre, to be continued with medieval Venetian castle and truffle festival. Event ended with lunch in Motovun (Montona), birthplace of racing legend Mario Andretti who sends his words to entrants: “I’m happy to see an event with classic cars touring through beautiful Istria. I’m certain everyone will enjoy their visit.”.
Participants were gifted by Sljeme Autokoffer driving gloves. Croatian malletier atelier founded in 1919 that made lambskin and deerskin gloves exclusively for entrants in best gantier tradition.
Tour of Istria 2012 entrants
Tour of Istria 2010 entrants
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