In the evening, we would get into the car and drive to the curve or straight stretch we had scouted out in the days before. Armed with blankets—the spring nights were still chilly, especially in those mountainous or hilly areas—we would park and lower the seats of the cars only some of us owned, settling in to sleep.

But not before sinking our teeth into sandwiches stuffed with omelettes, ham, mortadella, salami, or cheese that our caring mothers had prepared. We brought bottles of fresh water and plenty of enthusiasm. Someone always had a beer. At dawn, we would wake up groggy but eager to hear the first roar of engines as the cars zoomed by right before our eyes.