for photos. Next stop for the SIATA...California's Pebble Beach Concours d'
Elegance August 18, 2002.
NEW in 2002!!
"Angelino" My guardian angel on the road of life! (Angelino, il mio angelo
custode sulla strada della vita!) Sylvia's mascot and co-pilot, the plush
little bear with angel wings "Angelino" will be available soon! With every
Angelino purchased, another Angelino will be donated to a person in cancer
care.
Available soon!! The children's book (English & Italian) "The journey of the
magical red racecar, Angelino and the Pilotessa", "Il viaggio della piccola
magica barchetta rossa, di Angelino e della Pilotessa" with illustrations
of vintage Mille Miglia autos and a story about the journey to bring smiles
and laughter to children, who afterall just want to be children.
Other products will become available with the intent to provide funds for
non-profit organizations around the world.
A few of the many interview questions and answers given to La Nationale’s, Italian news journalist:
"When driving for 1000 miles from Brescia down the Adriatic to Roma and returning via the Mediterranean through Firenze and Modena finally reaching Brescia again, which city did you like the best?"
"Ogni città e paese presentano delle caratteristiche uniche - come se fossero delle singole Perle. Alla fine delle 1000 miglia, mi ritrovo con una magnifica collana di perle, un indimenticabile regalo italiano."
"Every city and small town is unique - like an individual 'Pearl'. By the end of the 1000 miles, there is a 'necklace of beautiful pearls'- an unforgettable gift from Italy."
"Was there any one thing that stood out over the 1000 miles?"
"Solo mille miglia, ma di sorrisi un milione, che meraviglia!"
"Only a thousand miles, but a million smiles! What a beautiful sight!"
"Was this year any different for the American drivers since the 9/11 accident in USA?"
"Gli italiani si sono dimostrati gentili e amichevoli nonché ospitali nei confronti miei e degli americani, tutti accolti a braccia aperte e con sincero affetto. Ringrazio tutti per la bellissima esperienza e per la sensazione di avere trovato una vera casa."
"The people of Italy have been kind and friendly, welcoming me and other Americans with open arms and genuine affection. Many thanks to all for a magnificent experience and now I feel like I have found my true home away from home."
The medical camp for European children, ‘Il Trampolino’, staffed with all volunteers-including doctors from several countries, can use your help to send a child with a serious medical condition to camp for two weeks. Each 2-week camp has a maximum of 25 children. The cost for one child is about $800, however, any donation will go a long way to help support the camp this summer.
PLEASE SEND YOUR CHECK with the words NON-TRANSFERABLE on it MADE OUT TO: "IL TRAMPOLINO-ASSOCIAZIONE DON TARCISIO FESTA-ONLUS"
(ONLUS IS A TAX DEDUCTABLE ASSOCIATION IN ITALY)
SEND TO:
ASSOCIAZIONE DON TARCISIO FESTA-ONLUS
Bank Account #199
Banco di Brescia-Filiale di Ospitaletto
ABI code 3500-CAB code 54871
Via Monsignor G. Rizzi, 8
25035 Ospitaletto (BS)
Italy
ADD A NAME TO THE RACESUIT
Another tradition started by Sylvia in the Mille Miglia has been the wearing of her red driving suit with the names of those who have fought cancer or who are fighting cancer. This tradition is meant to honor the truly courageous and to remember the real heroes of bravery as Sylvia reaches the finish line after 1000 miles. Cancer knows no age, gender, race, city or country, which is evident by the 1,600 names from over 18 different countries written on the suit.
Please take a moment to think of someone you would like honored and send his or her name to us before May 2, 2002. The names are also listed on the web site www.pilotessa.com under "1000 Names-Hall of Names". Please email names to be honored and include the State or country the person is from: smoberti@pilotessa.com
The educational message of ‘early detection and treatment can save your life and that there is no age, gender or country that can ignore this important fact’ was heard by millions of people around the world when Sylvia was invited by the Vatican to speak on Vatican Radio in 1996. Sylvia dedicated her race to "the people of real courage - the people and families who are fighting the devastating effects of Cancer."
Sylvia shares her common sense and practical approach in order for families to accomplish the first step in beating this disease. First, make a list with three columns, list the Names of your Family in the first column, the dates for their Annual Medical examinations in the second column, and then the check mark upon completion of the exam in the third column. This simple act of organization by one family member can help to ensure that your family has done what it can in the race against cancer. Calling your family members to assist in medical scheduling and/or driving family to an appointment can counteract the fear so often associated with the conscious effort to look for the early signs of cancer.
Imagine this young woman driving thousands of miles – solo - in her 1951 SIATA 300 BC barchetta in freezing rain, snow storms, scorching heat and against all odds, finishing each race and bringing joy to millions of children and adults. People from around the world share a moment of joy and an opportunity for all to reflect on the bravery of the person fighting cancer. Sylvia is no stranger to the difficulty of fighting life-threatening diseases and she made a promise to actively "do something" to help educate people on cancer awareness and the importance of early detection and treatment can save lives. Thus far, her message has been delivered to millions of people the world over via her participation in racing and rally events and coverage by television, magazines, newspapers and radio. Radio Vaticano broadcast a special interview that was translated into 43 languages and broadcast to 80 countries.
Sylvia Oberti has been invited to participate in the Mille Miglia of Italy, Japan, and Argentina, the Premier "Le Mitche Sport a Bassano", Tour Auto France and other important vintage race events around the world since 1992.
In the new millennium Sylvia has pledged to honor the people she believes to be true examples of bravery. In 1998 she began collecting "1,000 Names for 1,000 Miles" names collected from over 17 countries around the world and written on her red racing suit to honor those individuals who are fighting cancer or who fought this disease to the end. To date almost 2,000 names have been collected. Anyone can submit the name of someone who has fought or who is fighting cancer and his or her name will be permanently added to the red driving suit. Send by email: smoberti@pilotessa.com
HISTORY
Sylvia has included raising money for worthy causes since the beginning of her driving career. Special Olympics, International Special Olympics, National Breast Cancer Coalition, The Alameda County Health Care Foundation and in Europe the Ospedale Civile in Brescia, AISM-Multiple Sclerosis Italian Association, AIRC-Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro… have all been the recipients of her 1,000-mile race/fundraising drives. As always, 100% of all proceeds go directly to the charity, hospital or foundation chosen.
Sylvia has encouraged the local community and businesses to participate in the necessary growth and development of hospital programs and to provide the extra necessities when needed. To develop a working relationship with the community based organizations to assist in raising funds specified for purchase of hard items. Contributions to local cancer care centers are encouraged allowing for a 'personalized' forum in every race.
Sylvia’s First interest in racing was at the age of two. Her mother designed an artistic "race car" from a cardboard box and with her first leather racing gloves Sylvia began to fantasize of driving on roads far from home. (She still has her first gloves)
Sylvia raced, rallied and competed in hill climbs in the following rare cars since 1976: 1954 Morgan; 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS; 1951 300BC SIATA; 1947 Tipo TC SIATA; 1955 375+ Ferrari; 1954 Maserati A6GCS; 1954 365 Porsche; 1952 Alfa Romeo; 1955 Lancia Aurelia B24;1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta sprint veloce.
Sylvia purchased the eligible 1951 SIATA in 1991, entered the Mille Miglia, was accepted and drove first in 1992. She has placed 3rd of the USA and has successfully finished each 1,000-mile Italian marathon race every year, solo, in her red 1951 300BC 750 Spider SIATA. Over 27 countries and 370 car entries participate. Sylvia remains the only woman to have soloed successfully in the history of the Mille Miglia.
Sylvia was inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame as Outstanding Woman of the Year in Sports and Athletics in 1996. Sylvia has encouraged young girls and older women to follow their dreams and to challenge the status quo.
Born and raised in California of Italian-American parents with her two brothers, educated at University of California Berkeley and California State University Fresno, Magna Cum Laude with specialized Master of Arts Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communicative Disorders to include Deaf Education, Speech Pathology and Audiology.
For over 20 years, Sylvia, a Senior Disability Analyst and Diplomat, owned and operated the international Oberti Company, working to help traumatically injured children and adults.
Sylvia has volunteered her services with several non-profit organizations while creating and organizing educational and fundraising events for over 25 years. Sylvia received the Community Service Award from the Ferrari Club of America in 1992.
Sylvia currently resides in Florence, Italy while on sabbatical and is studying language, digital film making and continues with her passion of racing and rallying around the world.
