The Carrera Autopodistica is a competition that takes place in Castel San Pietro Terme in Bologna, Italy, every September.
Contents |
It is the central happening of Settembre Castellano, a series of cultural, sports and gastronomic events, which have their climax every year on the second Sunday of September with the Sagra Castellana della Braciola (the sheep chop fair), that in year 2001 saw its 50th edition. Even the Carrera Autopodistica saw its 50th edition in year 2003.
In these fifty years it has increasingly evolved, following the evolution of technology and exploiting the innovations of technical and sports fields much as possible, in order to improve its performances.
The teams work for a whole year to build more and more sophisticated cars, which can guarantee smoothness on downhill roads and on apparently flat grounds, but also lightness to the athletes who take turns in pushing the cars.
There are two competitions: the Coppa Terme, on a distance of 1.600 metres, with starting line at the beginning of Viale delle Terme and finish line at the entrance of the spa building. The Carrera Autopodistica, the main event, takes place in the heart of the historical city centre of the town, with starting and finish line in Piazza XX Settembre: the distance covered is 1.250 metres long and it is repeated twice.
Four pushing mens ("spingitori") and a pilot driving the car take part in both competitions. The pushing men take turns in pushing the car and the car becomes the witness of this very original relay race. The competition rules allow only one pushing men at a time and on downhill roads ("la bassa"), where the car runs faster than its pusher, the pusher gets in the car behind the driver, then he goes on pushing when the car speed reduces.
Every year the programme includes: the time trials on the first Sunday of September, in order to decide the starting grid. On the second Sunday of September the races take place: Coppa Terme and Carrera Autopodistica.