_They left on 17 April, on an unusually rainy afternoon, from Termini Imerese to reach the port of Palermo towards Livorno, thus begins the adventure of the 31 which will culminate with a golden trophy.
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Termini Imerese, 17 April, 3.00 pm, departure right on time as scheduled for the Termitana delegation, not even the rain and adverse weather conditions calmed the festive mood of the Vespa enthusiasts who, wrapped in their rain suits, set out march towards the capital. Boarding took place in Palermo and the following morning, having disembarked at the port of Livorno, they continued towards the Tuscan town where everything began in 1946: Pontedera!
The large group arrives at the Vespa Village in the afternoon and once the accreditation procedures for the event have been completed, badges and gadgets have been re-calibrated, they begin to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Photos with old and new friends, from the colorful “Vespa world”, the inevitable exchanges of bands (identifying element of each Vespa Club, which is positioned on the Vespa shield), the ritual dictates that when you meet representatives of other Vespa Clubs you exchange the bands. From all over the world they arrived en masse in Pontedera to celebrate the “two-wheeled” myth, which was born by the brilliant mind of the engineer Corradino D’Ascanio on behalf of Piaggio. The result was a versatile, economical and reliable vehicle, with sinuous and original shapes that Piaggio immediately liked and wanted to call it Vespa… the rest is history!
From the first model to today, the Vespa has come a long way, to the point of becoming the undisputed icon of Made in Italy in the world. This “crackling” object spread so enormously that it served to motorise post-war Italy and the economic miracle. On 23 October 1948 the Vespa Club Italia was officially born and subsequently the various Vespa clubs, which in turn contributed to increasing the number of enthusiasts, to date the Vespa phenomenon knows no crisis!
Tired but deeply satisfied, the group heads towards the accommodation for a well-deserved rest in view of the second day of the world rally.
On April 19th, early in the morning, and after having adequately prepared the Vespas, everyone will meet at the Vespa Village. From here we leave for the organized tourist tours, the destinations are disparate: Pisa, Livorno, Piaggio factories, only the secretary Danilo Sansone participates in the gymkhana competing with fierce competitors from every corner of the globe, at the end of the two tests he ranks 10th absolute. A very respectable placing if we consider the importance of the event and the presence of numerous champions of the discipline.
The intense day, although rainy and not exactly hot, is coming to an end. Tired, soaking wet, someone even got cold… all full of enthusiasm for the adventures experienced, everyone is preparing to face the next day.
On April 20th the friends of the Vespa Club Termini Imerese go to the “gathering place” the square in front of the Village to take part in the most beautiful moment that every Vespa enthusiast can experience: the world parade!
20.04.2024 3rd world day, the Vespa Club Termini Imerese participates in the final parade! A moment that to define as beautiful is very simplistic, in that instant all the Vespa enthusiasts, coming from all over the world, come together forming a single colorful snake, where everyone is practically the same where everyone finds themselves together, united only by the Vespa passion. There are no rival nations or nations at war, there are no ethnic groups or discrimination, we are all equal, we are all in love with the Vespa and we have fun together!
The Vespa Club Termini Imerese was there, with its members carrying their colours. About 20,000 vehicles were present in the parade, a procession several kilometers long. A parade, this one, with great historical value, since this year marked the 140th anniversary of the foundation of the Piaggio group!
Participating in such an event is a bit like taking part in a small “date with history”, a beautiful story!
The Vespa Club Termini Imerese was there! Once the exciting and impressive parade was over, the Vespa enthusiasts went to visit the Piaggio factories, made accessible for this occasion. The various assembly lines (assembly lines) of the vehicles aroused great amazement, where the queen takes shape from the single bolt. undisputed: the Vespa.
Once the visit is completed, the reunited group finds time to take some photos and then heads towards the refreshment points to have lunch and take stock of the situation, organize the evening and prepare everything because the return is scheduled for the next day, but first we will await the announcement of the tourist ranking.
On April 21st, as usual, waking up early, having loaded their luggage and fueled their Vespas, the Vespa enthusiasts head to the Vespa Village to take part in the awards ceremony and continue towards Civitavecchia where the ship that will take them home will be waiting for them. Late in the morning the verdict arrives and from the stage the Vespa Club Termini Imerese, with its 31 participants, goes on to win gold in the tourist ranking. Unexpected recognition that filled all the club members with joy and pride.
This victory is not limited to the world of the Vespa alone and consequently positively affects the city of Termini Imerese. City of a thousand historical and landscape beauties which, unfortunately, is experiencing less than prosperous periods.
Since its foundation (almost 10 years), the Vespa Club Termini Imerese has done its utmost to promote the area, with many events that have highlighted Termini Imerese. A town disfigured and diminished by wicked political choices and by an industrial agglomeration that has destroyed an entire coastline. Despite everything, numerous Vespa enthusiasts from all over Europe have visited and stayed in the Imerese city in recent years, thanks also to the management of the Vespa Club, always ready to welcome and promote the places, re-evaluated with immense amazement by those who have visited them. Numerous regional and national rallies saw Termini Imerese as the protagonist, numerous collaborations with the economic realities of the area and with the Motoring and Targa Florio Museum, strongly supported by the late Nuccio Salemi, a great friend of the Vespa Club Termini Imerese; with the Himerense Time Bank association and with the ASD Steel Bikers Termini Imerese. The hope is to be able to genuinely continue to move forward, always in a positive and proactive way, creating opportunities for the city of Termini Imerese, obviously carrying forward the Vespa passion with joy. This latest global recognition will serve to give a big push in this direction!
Dino Gueli
