Stelvio Pass in a car with low clearance

[scoggij]

I am planning on taking a F430 over the Stelvio pass. I've heard the turns are pretty damn steep. Will I totally bugger the nose in a ferrari given the low clearance?

[icb]

Did it with a load of TVRs last year and no problem. Going up is tedious but downhill is brilliant!! Try not to do it on a weekend.

[JMGS4]

Just don't cut the corners, some have a proper step in them! Managed to ground the Targa once but my speed took me through!
and watch your clutch on the way up from the east, a lot of Fezzas burn them out there! A fantastic drive, but as said do it during the week, and watch for snow now, the alpine forecast has snow down to 1700m last night!

[VTECMatt]

I would be ultra cautious my Elise which is lowered but not that low only just made it down some of them. Just don't go in quick and also use the right line through it, which in some cases means using both sides.

[dcb]

scoggij said:

I am planning on taking a F430 over the Stelvio pass. I've heard the turns are pretty damn steep. Will I totally bugger the nose in a ferrari given the low clearance?

How about getting in some practice on some smaller
Alpine passes first ?

I'm not saying the Brenner is going to help you,
but something like the Gross Glockner or the Kuhtai
should.

Buses drive over the GG, so it's pretty easy for a car.

I was at the GG last week and an orange Lambo, some 911s,
some Maseratis, an Aston and several Morgans went over
no problems.

[johnbear]

Icb - I thought going up was the best bit especially with the rear end out on nearly every corner.

[MrE]

last nights topgear should answer that one. No problem in the Gallardo, 911 RS or the fancy aston thing.

[Number55]

scoggij said:

I am planning on taking a F430 over the Stelvio pass. I've heard the turns are pretty damn steep. Will I totally bugger the nose in a ferrari given the low clearance?

Done it in a Sagaris that grounds out whenever possible ... no problems at all on Stelvio. Enjoy it ... it's fab!

[AJS-]

scoggij said:

I am planning on taking a F430 over the Stelvio pass.

I don't normally go in for being jealous and nasty about stuff like this, but I hate you

[dom180]

>>Buses drive over the GG, so it's pretty easy for a car.

Yep recommended, nice and easy but still a really fabulous drive - smooth, wide, good visibility, stunning scenery - get there early before the tourists.

[Davey S2]

430 will be fine.

I did Stelvio in the summer with a 430, 4 360 CS's, a few 360's & 355's and a Murcielago.

No problem.

[TonyHetherington]

On a couple of corners you may need to do a 3 point turn though, depends if you can see if anything's coming the other way (some are blind some are ok).

I must admit I preferred the opposite side to Stelvio (forget the bloomin name now). Great experience tho

[Davey S2]

TonyHetherington said:

I must admit I preferred the opposite side to Stelvio (forget the bloomin name now). Great experience tho

Me too. Hairpins start to get a bit boring after the first 10 or so.

To be honest I thought the Route Napoleon absolutely pi££ed all over Stelvio as a drivers road.

[TonyHetherington]

Agree absolutely with that, Davey.

Route Napoleon, Gross Glockner, and the Grimsel Pass especially I'd all do over and above Stelvio again.

[dom180]

Nah, Stelvio fantastic if you get up early and miss the traffic!! South side has a lot of variety and the more challenging North side is a fantastic test of both nerve and brakes.

Agree that the other passes are fantastic (I really enjoyed the Grossglockner as it is so driveable) but Stelvio is a really awesome drive imho.

[g_fryer]

On what date does the Stelvio Pass actually open? I'm planning to drive it this year but would be a bugger if it was closed after driving all the way there.

[dom180]

www.alpineroads.com have the opening dates for most passes and also links to various web cams. I think the Stelvio opens in June although its worth monitoring the web-cams before you set off - I went up it in mid-June last year and there was far less traffic than in Sept - and closes in Oct.

[VTECMatt]

Stelvio Pass opened mid may last year.

[S3]

Thanks for the opening dates!

[dom180]

Worth bearing in mind that it can be closed by snow at anytime even if they've opened it and the earlier/later you go the higher the risk.