Shiva's "Ride or Die" blared as friends and relatives of Yuri Loi and Noemi Argiolas embraced in Piazzale Campioni d'Italia 1969/'70 in Sestu. Sunday evening's first memorial for the two young cousins, who lost their lives about ten years apart in two separate car accidents on Via Cagliari, filled the square and filled everyone's hearts.
" I feel close to them, they're always with me, and I know he's happy seeing all this ," says Yuri's sister, Rosella. "I want to thank the friends of Marotto Sound, all the people who sponsored it, Mayor Paola Secci , Deputy Mayor Massimiliano Bullita, the Friends association with Monica Utzeri, Romina Murenu and her husband, and my father Giancarlo, my mother Graziella Dessì, and my brother Mauro Loi. This day is dedicated to my brother, to my cousin, to all the victims of the road. To all the angels who have flown to heaven . Today I met a girl who had lost her father, on a motorbike, and it was a truly intense, special moment."
But it was also a day of revving, stereos blasting, and plenty of prizes for everyone in the challenges between the most elaborate vehicles . More than a thousand people participated, with countless cars and motorcycles, many coming from far away. "We're here from Dolianova for Yuri; we were happy to accept the invitation," comments Alessio Mascia. Christian Argiolas arrived in his family's vintage truck: "I'm from Sestu, I knew Yuri, and being here was the least I could do. The size of the vehicle doesn't matter, but the passion does."
As Nicolò Nieddu of Marotto Sound explains: "The first goal is to celebrate a friend, a brother. We also brought Yuri's Alfa Mito, to remember him in the best possible way." A young man passionate about cars, who knew how to make everyone love him. " Faith keeps us going, which is why we also celebrated a Mass, today, which is Divine Mercy Day ," said Yuri's mother.