Imola, Ayrton & Me
Discussion
Well, I've just got back from Italy which included a trip to Imola last Thursday, It had quite an impact on me to say the least. I was treated to a full tour of the circuit by it's director, the media centre, race control, park firme & the pits. A few laps of the circuit which hadnt been used for a few months, twigs & moss were on some of the track, the stands looked like they could use a lick of paint but, oh my god, (this may seem a bit corny to some of you!) you could really feel the ghosts of motorsport in the air that day.
To know that the likes of Lauda, Prost, Piquet, Villeneuve and of course Senna had battled around the circuit, to see how close the F1 crazy crowd could get to the tarmac & hearing the tales from my chauffeur of when he'd been driven around the circuit my Michele Alboretto in a 288 GTO and that he held his breath for nearly a whole lap sent shivers down my spine.
The track really is a part of the local community, entering the town itself you see signs for various parts of the circuit, there are houses built inside the track itself. When asked if there are ever complaints from local residents about noise I am told that no-one in Italy dislikes the sound of a race car...if only the same could be said about British circuits! The towns municipal park is also inside the circuit and after my track tour I had to visit a certain memorial.
I wasn't a huge Senna fan to be honest, I followed Mansell & Hill but I new that Senna was the master, he was a supreme driver & a man that inspired many of the current stars. A unique talent who sadly had his lfe cut short along with Roland Ratzenburger on a sad weekend for the sport. In the park is a very fitting & poignant tribute to the man that really stirred imotions within me and, I'm sure, anyone else who has a passion for the sport.
Ayrton Senna, a true legend:
To know that the likes of Lauda, Prost, Piquet, Villeneuve and of course Senna had battled around the circuit, to see how close the F1 crazy crowd could get to the tarmac & hearing the tales from my chauffeur of when he'd been driven around the circuit my Michele Alboretto in a 288 GTO and that he held his breath for nearly a whole lap sent shivers down my spine.
The track really is a part of the local community, entering the town itself you see signs for various parts of the circuit, there are houses built inside the track itself. When asked if there are ever complaints from local residents about noise I am told that no-one in Italy dislikes the sound of a race car...if only the same could be said about British circuits! The towns municipal park is also inside the circuit and after my track tour I had to visit a certain memorial.
I wasn't a huge Senna fan to be honest, I followed Mansell & Hill but I new that Senna was the master, he was a supreme driver & a man that inspired many of the current stars. A unique talent who sadly had his lfe cut short along with Roland Ratzenburger on a sad weekend for the sport. In the park is a very fitting & poignant tribute to the man that really stirred imotions within me and, I'm sure, anyone else who has a passion for the sport.
Ayrton Senna, a true legend:
I'd much prefer a memorial to be placed ot where he died but at the scene of one of his great victories. How much better to place it at Donington so that those looking at it can remember the good times. Or the following race at Canada when he again drove a tremdous opening lap. Or . . . well, you could put so many in the list.
And as for naming chicanes after him! It's a travesty of the driver's legacy to the sport.
And as for naming chicanes after him! It's a travesty of the driver's legacy to the sport.
kevin ritson said:
Great thread. Sadly Italy is also blighted by NIMBYs, Monza now has severe restrictions after a Judge decided that motor racing has "no social benefit"...
The town mayor, however, part owns the track! There are quite a few changes being made, the whole pit, media centre and race contol buildings have been rebuilt and look incredible, compared with the Hugaroring, for example, they are state of the art. They are also in the process of putting in a chicane on the pit straight so that the track can accomodate Moto GP & World Super bikes.It will be unlikely that we will ever see the return of F1, that is at least until we see the demise of Mr Ecclestone. The track has to have a 1 1/2 hour break in track time every day and although, supprisingly track/corporate days havn't really taken off in Italy yet I think that given a little time that will be Imola (and alot of other cicuits) saving grace!
Eric Mc said:
Italy, like Britain oozes the soul of motor sport from every pore.
F1 lost that sole many years ago. The culture of motor sport no longer reverberates in the F1 world. It is left for the fans to reminisce.
absolutely, there is so much more to motorsport than F1. that said, i do make the effort to attend a TGP or Masters F1 race each year. last year it was at silverstone where, sat on the insdie at copse, 25+ DFV powered cars went by within a few seconds, pure ecstacy. yesterday i watched something like a Ford model A on its return journey from a trials event, covered in mud, driver wearing a big smile on his face! if only people could see beyond F1.... but then that might spoil it... F1 lost that sole many years ago. The culture of motor sport no longer reverberates in the F1 world. It is left for the fans to reminisce.
Derek Smith said:
I'd much prefer a memorial to be placed ot where he died but at the scene of one of his great victories. How much better to place it at Donington so that those looking at it can remember the good times.
I thought there was a memorial to Senna and Fangio at Donington with the funds to build it raised through donations to the Senna Foundation (I was "bought" a donation for a birthday when I was younger and was invited to the unveiling but it clashed with an exam - very annoying!)
Having walked the track a number of times in line with my work (radio test - over..), I always stop for a while at the Tamburello, and have a pause for thought. It's an emotional place, there's no doubt about it.
As for the circuit, it's a beautiful area, very scenic on the way around. The television does it no favours. Until the rebuilt the pits complex/building, that was the only part that let the place down. To get into the end garage (Tamburello end) was a pain in the backside in a busy paddock.
Imola is one place I'd love to go back to, and drive the circuit properly, rather than have a jolly walk on a bright sunny afternoon.
Yes, the locals have a great passion for the sport, the Judge's opinion was certainly not that of the people I met in my visits to the area, with Maranello only up the road, they had blood that was very much Italian Racing Red.
Rob.
As for the circuit, it's a beautiful area, very scenic on the way around. The television does it no favours. Until the rebuilt the pits complex/building, that was the only part that let the place down. To get into the end garage (Tamburello end) was a pain in the backside in a busy paddock.
Imola is one place I'd love to go back to, and drive the circuit properly, rather than have a jolly walk on a bright sunny afternoon.
Yes, the locals have a great passion for the sport, the Judge's opinion was certainly not that of the people I met in my visits to the area, with Maranello only up the road, they had blood that was very much Italian Racing Red.
Rob.
RobM77 said:
Thanks for the post and the pictures. I'll remember to visit if I'm ever nearby.
On a similar note, does anyone know if there's any sort of memorial at Hockenheim for Jim Clark and how possible it is to visit it on a non race or test day?
Seem to recall there was and it is not near the circuit anymore as its route has changed but there is a monument, someone on here went to it.On a similar note, does anyone know if there's any sort of memorial at Hockenheim for Jim Clark and how possible it is to visit it on a non race or test day?
mike360 said:
Tour from the director must of been awesome, If you dont mind me asking how'd you get that, is he a personal freind of yours or something ?
Mike
He knows more about F1 than anyone I've ever met, he has worked for Williams amongst other teams & has spent the last 20 years in the sport. The reason why I was there? If I told you I'd have to kill you! Mike
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