The driver of emotion

The historic Casa Degli Italiani has inaugurated the photographic exhibition dedicated to Tazio Nuvolari, The driver of emotion, consecrated to the legendary Italian racing driver. This is the first of a list of multiple activities related to this figure and in this building in Méndez Vigo passage during the month of October, where exhibitions of historic cars, round tables, and book presentations are planned.

To begin with, it must be said that Casa Degli Italiani shines like no other in Barcelona in terms of snack service: I say this because it is the second time I must acknowledge it and because it is a display of courtesy, good taste, and even commendable national culinary vindication. I don't think it's necessary to go into details, because it's not the objective of this article (leaving aside the plastic preponderance of Aperol Spritz): attend their events and see for yourselves. Afterwards, as you will see, the mansion and its terrace are an exception in the heart of the Eixample, which immediately turns us into discoverers of an oasis, a garden, a perfect space for pauses and focusing on one thing. In this case, Tazio Nuvolari: for ignoramuses like me, one of the most important legends of world motor racing.

The thing is, in his beginnings, this human bullet began to stand out in the III Gran Premio Penya Rhin de voiturettes on the Vilafranca del Penedès circuit (which was a temporary circuit, set up on public roads), where he reached fifth position in a red Chiribiri brand car.

So many new things, one moment, let me put things in order: first, we are talking about the 1920s (Chiribiri was sold to Lancia in 1929); second, the Penya Rhin was a Barcelona automobile and motorcycle club, which took its name from the café-restaurant (next to the current Zurich café) where the founders held gatherings to talk mainly about sporting events and ended up organizing races counting towards grand prizes (they were the first to hold races in La Rabassada).

In fact, some of the veteran attendees at the event confessed to me that I could write that the Penya Rhin is still alive, and that they embody it (group photo with legends like Antoni Zanini or Salvador Cañellas); and, thirdly, what we were saying: Nuvolari driving through the roads of Penedès, thanks to his friendship with Deo Chiribiri, who invited him to participate with his team. He also took the opportunity to attend the inauguration of the Terramar circuit, near Sitges (built with well-fitted concrete slabs, as can still be seen today, abandoned in the form of a strange amphitheater with banking).

The fact is that his motorcycle performance to test this circuit was so outstanding, and his style so brave and acrobatic, to the point of lifting off the track and remaining suspended, that spectators immediately christened him the emotion rider. According to legend, Nuvolari kissed the daughter of the owner of the Hotel Terramar at the highest point of the banking. Afterwards, Nuvolari flew around the world before returning to Catalonia in 1936.

The speeches (the president of the Casa Degli Italiani, Mirko Scaletti, or the exhibition curator, Giampaolo Benedini) take place right in front of a vintage Norton motorcycle, which, along with magazines, books, and video screens, complement the multiple panels with photos (and little text) of the exhibition. Topics such as war and hospitalizations due to accidents, the pilot's objects, photographs such as him acting as a crazy dentist, his obsession with the then-called weaker sex, the multiple awards and races, the photographs taken by himself ("Tazio's gaze"), the intense relationship with Pirelli, the Americas, his funeral with a motorcycle on top of the coffin traveling through the streets of Mantua.

In short, an ace of aces in terms of talent, bravery, seduction, and zest for life that is transmitted in everything organized by the Casa Degli Italiani. Everyone who needed to be there was there, but above all the closeness and friendliness that make Italians some of the best hosts in the world. They make you feel at home and make you forget, for a good while, that they are the ones far from home. So, pay no attention to the foundation's name: this is a home for everyone.