Paean to Automobile Week at St. Moritz

 
When it comes to classic cars, a combination that really fits
Is a winding alpine road and the Automobile Week at St. Moritz.
Now picture: blue sky, snowcapped peaks and shimmering azure lakes
The best that dear old Switzerland has to offer, for goodness sakes.
Think of a fine open roaster running the Bernina Gran Turismo
And the fraternity of jolly aficionados who could ask for more?
Smiths tachometer winding toward the red line
Abarth exhaust pipes growling: this is really fine.
Driver’s hair in the wind, navigator with stopwatch in hand
Up, up and above the tree line ventures this merry band
Proceeding from sharp defile to hairpin curve
One and all driving with prudence, yet with verve.
A reward well and truly at the conclusion of each spirited blast:
Coming together at a table with a view for a gourmet repast.
 
You think you are at the very pinnacle, but ahead is another lift
There is still the amiable old-timer competition: Super Stick Shift
The colorful names evoke memories and legend nothing surpasses
Lore of the magnificent Julier, Albula, Fluela, and the Stelvio Passes
Up shift, down shift, steering lock to lock, pedal to the metal, up and over
For the driving enthusiast this is like being a mountain goat feasting on clover
Now imagine all this from the perspective of senior, coach-built, sporting metal;
Getting the chance to respond to the urging of a purposeful stab at the pedal.
Vintage, thoroughbred Porsches, Ferraris, Lancias, Fiats and Jags
Feeling like racehorses again not just lazy, cossetted car show nags.
From across the world assemble very, very special cars and drivers
With personal histories glamorous, romantic, sporting… yet diverse
Those who might have propped up their heels and laid back for well-earned rest
Instead allow their coolant to boil, their minds to race: they face the ultimate test
 
Those especial days, priceless classic cars and peerless drivers will ere remember
Incomparable time spent in the environs of St Moritz at the close of September.
 

John Kuhn Bleimaier

 

 

 

 

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