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MEMORIAL CARLO MERLO – an international Vespa weekend organised
by Pinerolo Vespaclub
Last year the Pinerolo Vespaclub was asked to organise a commemorative event to
honour the memory of Carlo Merlo, of “Sei Giorni” fame.
He was a a very active sportsman who went from athletics, boxing and soccer to
motorcycle racing, on Moto Guzzi, Gilera, Rumi, Iso and Vespa. He won the Team
Gold Medal in the European Military Motorcycle Championship in Spa (Belgium) il
1938, an individual bronze medal at the Six Days International Trials in Sanremo in
1948, a gold medal at the same event in Wales in 1949, and the Team Gold Medal
(on Vespa) at the Six Days International Trials (“Sei Giorni”) in Varese (Italy) in 1951.
He was the Sole Commissioner for the Italian National Regularity and Motorcross
Teams from 1953 to 1960 and then went on to become Team Manager and
President of the Pinerolo Football Club.
In and around Pinerolo (Turin Province) the name of Carlo Merlo is traditionally
linked to that of Aldo Tebaldini, his brother-in-law, with whom he founded the local
Piaggio Retail and Service Centre. His special devotion to the Vespa brand is what
urged his sons Grado and Alfredo to look for a Vespa event to celebrate their late
father and to remember him by.
We did not in the least hesitate in accepting the proposal and with the support of
Pinerolo’s Town Council , Vespa Club Italia, the Italian “Registro Storico Vespa”, and
the Vespa World Club, we are now proud to invite you to a a Vespa Weekend that
we are sure will satisfy lovers of both Vespa tourism and Vespa sports.
The event will cover the 26th and 27th september 2015 and will include two
separate meetings:
1) Saturday 26th september : “Rievocazione Storica dei Circuiti di Pinerolo “ a
Commemmorative Historical Re-run for vintage Vespas with Stamp Checks and
Time Checks along town and country roads (open to normal traffic) on which several
motorcycling events dating back to the 1940’s were held. The run will follow the
rules set down by the “Registro Storico Vespa” for the Italian Historical Re-run
Championship (Campionato Italiano Rievocazioni Storiche).
2) Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th september “Raduno Storico Internazionale – 60
anni di G.S.” an International Vintage Meeting dedicated to the Gran Sport model
which Piaggio started to produce 60 years ago. The participants will be offered the
opportunity of taking part in Saturday’s Re-run (either as contestants or simply
following the route, with no time checks) and a short tour of the hills surrounding
Pinerolo on Sunday. After the tour the Vespas will parade through the town and will
be lined up to be admired in Pinerolo’s main square.
Both meetings will end with a prize-giving and a full Gala Dinner or Lunch
Pinerolo Vespaclub, together with the Merlo Family, is preparing an exhibition
featuring a good number of photographs of “Carletto” Merlo’s Vespa sporting
heritage, many of which have never been published. The Italian Postal Service will
be available with a commemorative postmark that will be stamped free of charge on
postcards issued to all participants.
Details will be available on www.ilvespino.it and up to 80 entries will be accepted
for each event. Entries close on september 20th.
Mauro ARMANDO
President - Vespaclub Pinerolo