Page 142 - Cool Britannia

142As the date got closer and the pictures he emailed showed his car taking shape again, we discussed our travel plans. We had both, coincidentally booked into the same hotel, Castello San Giuseppe, About 7km outside Biella. The synchronicity of the trip was growing.After battling the French air traffc control, we fnally arrived at the top of a winding mountain road to check in to our hotel. The frst sight was two gleaming Lancia Stratos’s where Udo and Michael, the Ferrari Dino engine extraordinaire were sitting by their van. We instantly recognised Marks deep blue car from the hundreds of photos he sent on a daily basis, parked next to it was Udo’s pale blue and white car, both in full Group 4 rally trim. I checked into the hotel and met, for the frst time in reality, Mark Ketcham. Mark is a mountain of a man, 6ft 5 and big, after hugging as if we had grown up together we sat and talked face to face… within about 30 minutes, Mark said it’s getting late (mid afternoon) take the car and play, as he slid the keys across the table. I didn’t need to asked twice…Udo, showed me the controls and joined me riding shotgun in case there were any problems. There is no ignition key in a rally Stratos, just a big red ignition cut of on the rear frewall behind the seat and a start button. The V6, 24 valve, blueprinted engine burst into life, as I blipped the throttle Michael grinned as if I was playing a song he wrote.Once I got the feel of the racing clutch I eased her out into the sun and down the steep driveway out onto the road. This is a full-blown rally car which feels every move, but what an experience. Pushing the throttle and changing up the dog box, the noise is fantastic, the open roads of the hillside are amazing for this car as we accelerate in and out of the hairpin bends working our way round toward the town. Once in town she was remarkably tractable, but very noisy. The Italians loved it practically cheering me on as I drove out of town and back around the lake. What an experience, what a fantastic car.Returning to the hotel we all retired to shower and change for dinner, it had been a long very hot day. Mark had his family with him, so we practically took over the restaurant of this family run hotel. The chef was amazing and food delicious, the local wine fowed and we talked Stratos and classic cars all night. Mark is a big collector and car dealer, but we also share another passion. Ketchum Estates is a Californian vineyard in Russian River making Pinot Noir, one of my favourites. The man is defnitely my new best friend…The following day we follow the two Stratos’s or is that Strati? To the square in Biella were the organisers NS Events, have laid out black Zenith logoed mats for all the cars to park on. One by one the spots are flled and drivers given their road books and sticker packs. We carefully apply the event stickers of the original SVAG livery. Mark collects his limited edition watch from Zenith, complete with his name and his car chassis number engraved on the glass back. As the day draws to a close the square is full of Stratos’s, from the Alitalia Rally cars to road going Stradale’s, we return to our hotel to get ready for the frst dinner event.