The opening edition of an event that rewrote the rules of the automotive gathering, transforming three days of driving into a sensory journey through Tuscany, Versilia and the Ligurian Riviera.
Some events leave their mark… The Mall Race, in its inaugural edition held from 17 to 19 April 2026, conceived and organised by Victorious on behalf of The Mall Simon Luxury Outlets, the event drew to a close with a success that far exceeded all expectations, establishing an entirely new format in the calendar of Italian luxury and motorsport.
Neither a competition in the traditional sense of the word, nor a mere vintage car rally with a nostalgic wink. The Mall Race was conceived from the outset as an experiential journey defined by authenticity, elegance and glamour: three days devoted to the pure pleasure of driving, to the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts, and to that quality of human connection which traditional motorsport so often consigns to the background. The undisputed stars of the event were the 39 selected vehicles, an extraordinary assembly that paraded iconic models, timeless classics and the very latest generation of supercars from Bentley, Dallara, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche. Seventy participants came from across Italy and abroad: an international gathering which, even at this first edition, lent the event a dimension far broader than the merely local, bearing witness to the project’s capacity to speak a universal language of style and passion.
The route chosen for this inaugural edition was, in itself, a success waiting to happen. The vehicles set off from The Mall Firenze (the luxury shopping mall nestled within the Val d’Arno landscape), a setting of rare elegance for a grand departure. From there, the powerful engines wound their way through the gentle Tuscan hills towards the coast, arriving at Forte dei Marmi, the elite coastal retreat where the sea and luxury have always kept their rendezvous. The final leg of the journey carried the vehicles along the shores of the Mediterranean, heading northward into Liguria to the ultimate destination: The Mall Sanremo. A journey that wove together breathtaking panoramic roads, stops of great character and moments of convivial exchange between participants.
Amongst the moments destined to live on in the collective memory of this first edition, the stop at Bogliasco stands out above all: the small Ligurian village overlooking the sea reinvented itself as a natural film set, welcoming the cars parked along the jetty in a scene of rare evocative power. A striking, almost painterly image that made Bogliasco one of the defining symbols of this inaugural edition, made possible by the active participation of the local authorities and the generosity of Mayor Luca Pastorino, who opened the doors of the village for the occasion. Equally spectacular was the triumphal entry into Sanremo, with the vehicles escorted by the local police (under the command of Chief Fulvio Asconio) to Piazza Colombo, where the open-air display attracted the attention of residents and visitors alike, transforming the very heart of the City of Flowers into a refined open-air showcase dedicated to the finest automotive design. The final arrival at The Mall Sanremo crowned the conclusion of an itinerary that had articulated a new vision of the “automotive event”: not merely driving, but experience, connection and a living narrative of the territory.
The gala evening held at the Hotel Miramare di Sanremo treated participants to one of the most warmly received surprises of the entire event: a brilliantly conceived quiz evening that blended light-heartedness, team spirit and a touch of competition, resulting in an entirely original “rankings table” amongst those present. The prize-giving ceremony, held on the Sunday at The Mall Sanremo, offered twelve entirely unexpected prizes: a membership to the Circuito di Campione, a Bomberg chronograph watch, a 48-hour travel bag by Pacto Helmets (the brand of Danilo Coto Cruz) and, as the crowning prize, an original painting specially created for the event by Enrique Napp, an artist who accompanied the event with his solo exhibition “Disegno Italiano”, interpreting the spirit and beauty of Italian automotive culture through the medium of paint.
An event of this stature is never built in isolation. The Mall Race was able to rely upon a carefully curated network of partners, each a standard-bearer of excellence in their own field. Among the luxury hospitality names that enriched the participants’ experience were the Forte Village Resort, Bagni di Pisa Palace and Thermal Spa Resort, Grotta Giusti Thermal Spa Resort and Viesca Hotel Reggello Firenze. Completing the offering of taste and refinement were the prestige bubbles of Champagne Comte de Monte-Carlo, the artisan fragrances of Acquaflor and the masterful olive craft of Olio ROI. A special acknowledgement goes to Noci Motor Classics, who provided the essential vehicle technical assistance service throughout the event, accompanying the convoy with professionalism and discretion along every kilometre of the route.
A sincere expression of gratitude goes to Bentley Lugano, who placed at the organisation’s disposal (as the official service vehicle) a magnificent Bentley Bentayga: a presence that lent an additional touch of stylistic elegance to the event, reminding all present that true luxury reveals itself even in the details.
The inspiration behind the project is best conveyed by Ermanno De Angelis (founder of Victorious), whose words capture the spirit of the initiative with precision: “The Mall Race was born from the idea of creating something that went beyond the traditional automotive gathering, building an experience capable of bringing together the pleasure of being behind the wheel, the territory and the world of luxury authentically. The response of the participants and the warm welcome received along the route confirm the value of this vision and represent the starting point from which to develop the project further.”
The success of this first edition is proof that there is an audience ready to embrace a new vocabulary in the world of motorsport, one in which speed yields to beauty, the rankings give way to emotion, and the finishing line is never a full stop, but always and only the beginning of something greater.
With The Mall Race, Victorious opens an entirely new chapter in the landscape of experiences dedicated to clients and connoisseurs of beauty on four wheels. The wait for the next edition has only just begun.
Articolo a cura di Massimo Basile
Editor & Founder
