{"id":500188,"date":"2022-11-15T12:14:42","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T17:14:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportscardigest.com\/?p=407253"},"modified":"2023-12-21T02:44:09","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T02:44:09","slug":"supercar-owners-circle-croatia-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/supercar-owners-circle-croatia-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Supercar Owner\u2019s Circle: Croatia 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

After the Supercar Owners Circle visited Zagreb in 2021, this year\u2019s main event returned to the Croatian capital, bringing 60 incredible contemporary supercars driven and co-driven by people of 22 nationalities.<\/p>\n

Zagreb\u2019s prestigious Esplanade Hotel again hosted crews from all around the world, reviving the belle epoque when it was a temporary home for adventurers traveling the fabled Orient Express train.<\/p>\n

A Message of Peace & Hope<\/h2>\n

This year, the poster for the event featured the Pelje\u0161ac bridge, a fitting motif encapsulating the beautiful Croatian landscape and contemporary architecture in one simple design. While the previous rendition put an emphasis on health, the organizers sent a message of peace together with Aston Martin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The British manufacturer supplied a DBX 707 wrapped in colors of the rainbow with a white dove symbol. This way, Aston Martin sent a clear message of peace in its own unique way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Opening Ceremonies<\/h2>\n

The event officially started on Friday, September 2nd with a parade through the streets of Zagreb, all the way to the nearby Sljeme, a famous hillclimb proving grounds where owners could stretch their machinery before exhibiting them in front of the earthquake-wounded Zagreb Cathedral on the city\u2019s historic Kapitol hill. Despite gray weather and unusually cold temperatures, thousands of visitors showed up to greet the motorcade of awe-inspiring cars.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As SOC’s Niccol\u00f2 Torri Rocca underlined, supercars are a piece of art, and Supercar Owners Circle was all about bringing this one-of-a-kind dynamic museum to Zagreb and its people. That being said, the kinetic exhibition brought together more than 60 of the world\u2019s scarcest, most mouth-wateringly beautiful and prestigious, high performance automobiles, both contemporary and of recent vintage.<\/p>\n

Themes & Notable Cars at SOC 2022<\/h2>\n

The diverse lineup was divided into several themes, as Paolo Balladore, SOC’s <\/i>automotive expert pointed out:<\/p>\n

First off, the Barchetta Quartet brought together the Zonda Barchetta, Monza SP2, McLaren Elva and Aston Martin Speedster. Then, there was the 2010s hypercar Holy Trinity, made up of three arch-rivals, Porsche 918<\/a>, McLaren P1<\/a>, and Ferrari LaFerrari<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pagani Masterpieces brought together a selection of bespoke hypercars including the Huayra R, Zonda Cinque Roadster, Zonda Cinque, Huayra Roadster BC and the Zonda S.<\/p>\n

Celebrating Bugatti, Zagreb could see the already legendary La Voiture Noire<\/a>, as well as a selection of Chirons, Centodieci, Divo, Veyron Grand Sport and a Veyron World Record Car, among others.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In addition to household names in the industry SOC Croatia also hosted a number of niche supercars. That being said, spectators could also see the Zenvo TSR-s, and the HWA-developed, Ferrari V12-powered Apollo duo: the Intensa Emozione<\/a> and the otherworldly EVO prototype.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beyond Mid-Engined Examples<\/h3>\n

As expected, mid-engined cars dominated the roster, but more than a few cars challenged the proven supercar formula. That being said, Mercedes-Benz was represented by a couple of AMG GT Pro coupe\u015b, as well as a duo of SLR McLaren cars, a 722 edition coup\u00e9 and an equally stunning drop top.<\/p>\n

An Aston Martin V12 Speedster<\/a> was present as well and then there was a line-up of V12 Ferraris headlined by the 599 GTO, 812 TdF and an SP2 Monza. Last but definitely not least, a white Lexus LFA<\/a> represented the pinnacle of the Japanese automotive industry with its sonorous V10.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The event\u2019s host and Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac showed up with a line-up of all-electric Nevera hypercars, as well as his personal Bugatti Chiron Sport and didn’t shy away from putting on a show whenever it seemed possible.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Last but not least, The Little Car Company was present as well, with two of its three products. First gracing the Esplanade\u2019s halls and then joining the motorcade, a British Racing Green Aston Martin DB5 Junior and a French Racing Blue Bugatti Baby II brought an extra layer of joyfulness to the event.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Twists & Turns At SOC 2022<\/h2>\n

Accidents Happen<\/h3>\n

Unfortunately, urban traffic claimed one supercar, a one-of-three Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta valued at around $15 million. On its way towards the hillclimb, the Zonda swerved at low speeds onto the oncoming traffic, hitting a Ford Fiesta, suffering extensive damage to the rear left corner, losing the wheel and ripping the half shaft in the process, as well as sustaining damage to the carbon fiber body. We hope that the damage sustained isn\u2019t beyond repairable and that this incredibly rare Zonda will be roadworthy again.<\/p>\n