Rome–Carthage Vintage Car Raid Celebrates Success Amid Growing Recognition

This year as well, all participants in the 3rd Raid Rome – Carthage have survived; once again, the challenge has been won.

Three years ago, when ElemViaggi launched the idea of bringing vintage cars to Tunisia, the concept was met with a certain degree of skepticism. It seemed risky to bring such delicate cars to Africa, a continent that traditionally recalls rallies more than regularity tests.

However, the facts have justified those who had the intuition to organize this event and those who had the “courage” to participate.

Information and Participants

At the conclusion of this edition, and with the next already in planning—destination Tabarka, the Coral Coast in the north-west of Tunisia—registrations are open, and all information can be found on the website www.elemviaggi.it.

The Rome – Carthage Raid is approaching full maturity, having gained considerable recognition among vintage car enthusiasts. This year’s crews came from all over Italy: Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, Lazio, Puglia, Calabria, and even from Switzerland.

Results and Awards

As in previous editions, the victory in the regularity race went to a Brescia team, composed of Roberto Gaburri and Luigia Tonolini, driving a 1958 Porsche 356 1600 Super Cabriolet.

In second place was another Brescia native, Paolo Mazzoldi, with the Roman navigator Alessio Mercantini, driving a 1952 Fiat 1100 bodywork by “Stanguellini,” one of the most admired cars of this raid.

Curiously, both Gaburri and Mazzoldi belong to the same racing club: “Brescia Corse.”

In third place, maintaining the honor of the south, was the Lecce team formed by lawyer Raffaele De Carlo and Carla Marignani, driving a BMW 3.0 CS Coupé.

These crews were awarded by representatives of the Tunisian government, who presented them with three plaques representing the three regions touched during the raid: Carthage, Bizerte, and Tunis.

Impact and Visits

The Raid regained the warmth of the Tunisian people, especially children, who were always ready to celebrate with enthusiasm and spontaneity as the cars passed by. These vehicles visited different, less-known sites away from the usual itinerary, such as the Roman aqueduct of Zaghouan or Porto Farina with its Arab fortresses, while still making stops at Bizerte, Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, and Utica.

In Tunisia, the Rome – Carthage Raid has become an important and eagerly awaited event; in fact, both the state television and the main national newspaper have given it significant coverage.