Dolomites Gold Cup Race


The :it:Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti|Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti automobile race was a pure speed race on roads open to public traffic in Italy, which was originally run in the decade from 1947 to 1956. It always covered the same route of 303.8 km. in a single day, starting and finishing in the town of Cortina d'Ampezzo. It was founded by the Belluno Automobile Club, which is still the organiser.
Since 1972 the competition has been relaunched and reclassified as a historic commemoration event, and entered in the events calendar of the FIA as a "CSAI Main Event" under classical rules.

The title

The race's official title has changed over the years. On its foundation in 1947 it was the Coppa delle Dolomiti ; then from 1948 to 1950 it became the Coppa Internazionale delle Dolomiti. From 1951 on, the title became the definitive Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti.

The trophy and its awards

The winner's trophy is an artistic reproduction of a milestone of :it:Strada statale 48 delle Dolomiti|Route 48 of the Dolomites, inserted in a block of Dolomites rock reproducing the skyline of the mountains.
In the course of the race's history, the Gold Cup was awarded to the driver achieving the best result over three successive years. From the three races in 1950-1952 it was awarded to Salvatore Amendola, and in the following three-year period from 1953-1955 to Giulio Cabianca.

Categories

During the historical races from 1947 to 1956, automobiles were divided into categories, each of which was subdivided into classes by the engine capacity in cubic centimetres.

Route

The route passes through the following towns :
Cortina d'Ampezzo – Pocol – Passo Falzarego – Andraz – Pieve di Livinallongo – Arabba – Pordoi Pass – Sella Pass junction – Canazei – Vigo di Fassa – Moena – Predazzo – Rolle Pass – San Martino di Castrozza – Fiera di Primiero – Fonzaso Feltre – Belluno – Longarone – Pieve di Cadore – Auronzo – Misurina – Carbonin – Passo Cimabanche – Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The difference in level over the course is 4,129 mt. The course includes some 156 km. of climb.