Few years back when I was in USA I came across an ad about The Race of Gentleman (TROG). It’s a vintage cars and motorcycles beach race on the Jersey shore.

Since then I wanted to visit this kind of event and this year I was literally switching from circuit racing to kustom kulture events, so I thought I’d give it a go and visit one of the European versions on TROG.

There were two to choose from: Rømø Motor Festival in Denmark and Roll & Flat Beach Race in Italy. Surprisingly, I’ve never been to Italy and “Italian” plane’s schedule suited me better so I went for it. The race is held at Caorle beach which is a stretch of sand near Venice. Event takes you back in time with pre 1965 custom car, hot rods, cafe racers, bobbers, etc.

I arrived in the evening, one day before the race. I prepared for many things on the trip, but not for hoards of mosquitoes. Still, walked around the beach area, checked out the concert and early arrivals.

Some guys couldn’t wait and organised a drag race of their own

I had a thought that I should come back very early in the morning, that there will be some early birds and light should be magical. First I saw some runners and other athletic kinds.

A bit further away there was already a photoshoot in progress. Guys from Geezer club just arrived from Germany. This Dodge ’39 just did first 500km on a new engine and made it safely to Caorle.

I walked on and found some aftermath from the party yesterday.

As well as some new guests

This guy was testing his hot rod and I managed to catch some drift.

And this is not the same Dodge from above, this is already a Chevy Special.

See, they are very different :)

It was around 8am now and“period correct” cars and motorcycles were coming in packs

Track was being prepared

Participants, mainly car and bike owners from Italy, Austria and Germany. Very few beauty queens aka cars that came on a trailer, but if they did – it looked serious!

Race started and motorcycles were first to compete.

After the two wheelers it was time for the heavy ones to roll the sand.

It was time for lunch, I really wanted to stay more, but I felt that I want to see a bit more of Italy so drove to the Alps and climbed the Stelvio Pass.

Event left a very satisfied feeling in me. I updated my Mooneyes merch, found some Hot Wheels, enjoyed the racing. You know, cars are slow on sand, but nobody cares, racing is surprisingly close and traction very different on every heat, so something unexpected always happens.