Imola Classic

[Mike Bell]

New Peter Auto event. All grids EXCEPT GpC, plus U2TC

[Mike Bell]

Imola! I've been told that a visit to the Senna Memorial is a must, so will be setting off in good time so hopefully can achieve that. Anyone been to or raced there?

First time visit for Peter Auto grids, without GpC as their season has finished. Maybe first and only visit as rumour has it next year the series will be heading further into Eastern Europe for one round....

[356sc]

First time for us too.....looking forward to it!

[john ruston]

Enjoy it !
Could be one Euro equals 90 p way things are going so next year everyone will want to race in UK!

Went there with Martin Walford many years ago.

Seem to remember hotel was miles away but Ferrari did let us into factory and laps on test track.

Think Jean Sage arranged it.

Old bloke reminiscing.

[john ruston]

Assume the moderator will scrub last post as it is not something to be smart arsed about.

[Mike Bell]

Yes. Done.

With circuit hire costs at well known / established venues increasing all the time, seems some organisers are looking at better value options! Peter Auto among them. Need to gen-up on road tolls beyond Germany, however...

[Gerard C]

Rumor is right this time, Peter Auto will go to Monza instead, the official calendar just been released on their web site. So gives Jarama, Spa, Dijon, Monza and Castellet.

[Gerard C]

Hungaroring Classic starting on the 29th of september.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Hungaroring Classic starting on the 29th of september.

Yes, that is the event I was referring to! 6 rounds, and Monza back. Better spread as well. Suits me.....

[Gerard C]

If you have a look to the hotel reservations on the peter's dates and location, you're not alone to appreciate ! Incredible effect. Dont know how many we can enter but guess that at least well be at Jarama and Spa in HTC series.

[john ruston]

Peter Auto proposes Pre War Sports race in Spain and possibility of one in Dijon.

We may do both.

Mr Bell may need a place on truck!

[HRSTR5]

Some years ago, and before i started racing myself, I was between jobs for a few months and trundled off round France and Italy in my old Fiat Spider, taking in some classic yacht-racing in Cannes and St. Tropez and then heading to Italy, up into the hills to watch the San Remo Rally (lucky enough to see Colin McRae "on a charge"!), few days in Milan and then went down to Imola for a historic meeting. Rocked up there early in the morning of the Sunday and girl on the gate said "Are you here for the Parade?", "Of course", say I chancing it, "Please park in that line over there, here's your goodie bag, thanks for coming" ... So i park next to a Low-Drag E-Type Replica, and a Ferrari if i recall correctly.

Enjoyed the meeting, took a big wander, Senna memorial included.

Returned to the car at Parade time and followed the line out into pitlane, interesting mix of cars, including a T35 Bugatti and a Le Mans Lancia LC2! .... We followed a pace car for most of the first of our three laps, then the Bugatti got bored being at the back of the train, so blasted up the outside, metaphorically throwing down the gauntlet to all ... 2 and a half laps of semi-mayhem ensued. Hilarious.

Its a great circuit, I've always wanted to go back to race properly, not happened for me yet ... one day hopefully!

Hope everyone going has fun.

[Mike Bell]

Great story James!

For anyone a little envious that some of us are in Italy at the moment, it's wet and not particularly warm!

My departure from the UK started 24hrs later than planned due to 'fly by wire throttle malfunction' on the truck. Manifested itself first thing Sunday morning, but fixed by Monday lunchtime thanks to some really great help from the lads at Banham Transport workshop, and a very fast dash by me to the Truck dealer to collect part! Luckily the M'ways were flowing, the ferry on time and journey through France and Italy as easy as could be. Arrived yesterday tea time and found excellent pizzeria within walking distance. Now all unloaded, set up and scrutineered. Weather due to improve tomorrow for weekend, thankfully!

Just off back to the same pizzeria- it was that good.....

[Gerard C]

For anyone a little envious that some of us are in Italy at the moment …

I'm ! And not a little … Lucky guys.

[Mike Bell]

. Typical October day- warm in sun, cold in shade. Hope to get to the Senna Memorial at some point!

[chunterer]

Have a great weekend Mike and all the other Tenthers who've made the trip.

Imola is on my 'to go to' circuit list.

One day, one day.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Have a great weekend Mike and all the other Tenthers who've made the trip.

Imola is on my 'to go to' circuit list.

One day, one day.

Do it James! I'm told the circuit is great to drive, although you need to be fairly committed to get the best out of it, but for me Imola itself is the icing on the cake! What a lovely town, when you walk round the old streets you couldn't be anywhere else but Italy.

Last evening's socialising was cancelled due to the B8 gearbox having to be rebuilt, but Mr & Mrs owner went out and got us burgers (we were a bit 'cheesed out' by then after pizzas and lunch ) and they were superb and HUGE- a good 6" across.....

We're qualifying 60s Endurance at 0830, the B8 at 1105, and the former's 2hr race is at 1600. Busy day again! Going to be cold start, temps in single figures....

[henk4]

A frantic drive home on Monday and quick work today already allows us to show you what went on at Imola.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/event...a-Classic.html

[356sc]

After the trials and tribulations of our last outing at Paul Ricard, we were hoping for an uneventful event at Imola, and thankfully that is exactly what we got!

This was our first trip to Imola, so free practice on the Friday was very much finding our way...as Mike says, to get a quick time it needs total commitment.

Quali was first thing on the Saturday morning, the bright but cool weather suiting our little engine, and we managed to hustle the old girl around in 2.20, only 8 100ths behind Adrian Van der Croft in his Morgan, and 2 10ths behind a Lotus 26r (are they all 26r's ??)...P30.....we were well chuffed!

The race was last thing on Saturday, and apart from some fairly forceful driving from various people (some of the faster cars assume that as soon as they are alongside you, you vanish and they can move back onto the racing line forcing you off the track!!) the race was pretty uneventful....had a great time annoying one of the 911s for most of my stint in the car, until he eventually outbraked himself at the first chicane. We finished 20th on the road, although after the race several of the leading Cobras were deemed illegal , and excluded, so final official position was P16.

We had a wander down to the Senna memorial, and although very poignant, were slightly surprised to find that the resemblance was more to Michael Jackson than Senna!,

All in all, a great way to end what has been a pretty successful season for us.

Winter project is now to strip the car down get it resprayed, and rebuild gearbox and engine.......roll on March of next year when the fun starts all over again!