Cesinali Vintage Car Rally – Giuseppe Galasso Memorial

The charm of vintage cars in the heart of Irpinia

Every year, there is one Sunday when Viale Sabino Cocchia stops being a normal town street and becomes a runway for polished metal, chrome, and engines from a bygone era. This happens in Cesinali, a small town in the province of Avellino, Campania, where the Cesinali Vintage Car Rally – Giuseppe Galasso Memorial has quickly become one of the most anticipated events for motor enthusiasts in Irpinia. It is neither a race nor a time trial: it is a rally, a convivial meeting where classic cars are displayed, admired, photographed, and discussed by their owners.

A memorial dedicated to Giuseppe Galasso

The event is named after Giuseppe Galasso, a promoter and passionate enthusiast of this sport in Irpinia, in whose memory the event is held. The rally was born with a dual purpose: to promote automotive heritage and the technical culture that classic cars embody, and to affectionately remember a person who shared that passion with the entire region. This is why the atmosphere remains familiar and non-competitive: those who arrive in Cesinali with their vintage car know they are participating in a tribute, even before a competition.

The stars: from Fiat 500s to Alfa Romeos

The collection of vehicles gathered along the avenue is always a small anthology of Italian and European motoring. Past editions have featured dozens of Fiat 500s lined up side by side, along with Alfa Romeo Spiders, Giulias, and GTs, as well as Mercedes, BMWs, Porsches, a rally Peugeot, a Cadillac Fleetwood, and a group of Alfa Romeo 4Cs. The awards, simple and heartfelt, usually cover two categories:

• the oldest vehicle, which in a past edition went to a 1951 Fiat 1100 E;
• the most beautiful car, chosen by a special committee, awarded on that occasion to an Alfa Romeo 1.6 Spider.

Beyond the official awards, the true value of the morning lies in the stories: owners opening hoods, explaining years of restoration work, and showing off original manuals and rare spare parts.

How the day unfolds

The program is intentionally essential and concentrated in the morning. The cars gather around 10:00 AM to set up the static display along the avenue, followed by a long period of free viewing, open to everyone without a ticket. Around noon, an aperitif is offered by the event's partner bar, followed by the awards ceremony at approximately 12:30 PM. In some editions, the day concluded with a convoy parade through the streets of Cesinali, reaching Villa San Nicola, one of the most photographed spots of the entire event.

Organizers and patronage

The event is organized by Scuderia Avellino Racing in collaboration with the Pro Loco of Cesinali, with the patronage of the Municipality of Cesinali and the Automobile Club Avellino, under the aegis of ACI Storico and ACI Sport. Technical coordination is handled by the provincial representative of the Automobile Club of Avellino, Vincenzo Napolillo. The rally is part of the Irpinia calendar of events dedicated to historic four-wheelers, which includes the "Mille Curve" and the Santo Stefano del Sole Vintage Car Rally – Alfredo Mazza Memorial.

Cesinali and the Sabato Valley

Cesinali is located just a few kilometers from Avellino, in the Sabato Valley, in a hilly area that combines agricultural landscapes, charming villages, and a premier winemaking tradition: we are in the land of Fiano di Avellino, not far from the Montevergine sanctuary. A vintage car rally here is not just an event for collectors: it is an opportunity to bring the town center to life, fill the streets with people, and connect the Pro Loco, local merchants, and visitors arriving from neighboring towns and the provincial capital.

An event for everyone

As it is an outdoor morning event with free admission and a flat route along an avenue, the Giuseppe Galasso Memorial is particularly suitable for families with children, who can see models up close that are usually only found in museums. Those wishing to participate with their own vintage car must register in advance at the collection point indicated by the organizers, the Andy Bar in Cesinali, by the deadline set in the days preceding the event.