Vincenzo Pacca Memorial

A memorial for a Sannio driver

The Vincenzo Pacca Memorial is a vintage car gathering held in Pannarano, in the province of Benevento, in the heart of the Campanian Sannio region. The event was established in 2025 by the A.P.S. Car Classic Club Benevento, with the patronage of the Pannarano municipal administration, to honor the memory of Vincenzo Pacca, a local rally and hill-climb driver from the 1970s and 80s. Behind the wheel of his Fiat 128 and Fiat 112, he competed in races that defined regional motorsport history, from the Rally Colli del Sannio to the Valle Ufita, and was also known as a passionate expert on historic vehicles, always ready to share details and anecdotes. The rally is much more than just a car parade: it is how a town of fewer than two thousand inhabitants continues to remember one of its own, a beloved figure in the world of motorsports.

Piazza VII Settembre 1860, a showroom for historic cars

The event's headquarters is Piazza VII Settembre 1860, the town's main square, which transforms into an open-air museum for the day. Vehicles are arranged in a static display throughout the morning and early afternoon, allowing visitors to walk among the cars, chat with owners, and photograph original hoods, dashboards, and license plates. The inaugural edition saw over sixty vehicles arrive from across Campania, ranging from post-war utility models that motorized Italy to rally berlinettas complete with liveries and race numbers.

From Benevento to Pannarano

The day actually begins in Benevento: crews meet on Via Napoli, at the IP gas station, and set off in a convoy toward the Caudine Valley. It is a scenic half-hour drive through hills and curves, with the group climbing toward the 360-meter elevation of Pannarano—a true spectacle for those who spot the procession along the route. Upon arrival, registration, vehicle inspection, and voucher distribution take place, followed by an official welcome from local authorities.

A welcoming town

The Memorial has a local, authentic soul. After the official welcome, a guided tour of the historic center of Pannarano is held, featuring stories about the village and its narrow alleys. During the first edition, the cars even received a priest's blessing, a ritual deeply felt by the community. Midday is reserved for a convivial lunch, featuring traditional Caudine dishes prepared by locals—a moment that perfectly bridges the gap between engines, memory, and hospitality. The day concludes in the afternoon with final farewells and the announcement of upcoming club events.

Pannarano, a Sannio enclave at the foot of the Partenio

Pannarano is worth visiting for its setting alone. The town occupies the southern tip of the province of Benevento in Campania, forming a unique enclave nestled within the province of Avellino. The landscape is almost entirely hilly and mountainous, rising from 221 meters in the lowlands to 1,590 meters at the peaks. Part of the Partenio Mountain Community, it overlooks the Caudine Valley, the ancient corridor that once connected Benevento to Naples. A landscape of woods and ridges provides the perfect backdrop for the polished bodies of historic cars.

Who can participate

• Crews: Owners of vintage, sports, and racing cars, whether or not they are members of federated clubs.
• Public: The static display in the square is free to visit, with no ticket required.
• Families and enthusiasts: The single-day, pedestrian-friendly format makes it suitable for children as well.

Useful tips

Those wishing to bring their own vehicle must contact the organizers in advance: space in the square is limited, and registration requires a participation fee. For the public, we recommend arriving around 10:30–11:00 AM, when the convoy from Benevento enters the town—it is the most photogenic moment of the day. Don't miss the guided tour of the village immediately afterward, which offers a chance to explore a historic center often overlooked by mainstream Sannio tourist circuits.