MONZA CLASSIC 10-12 June

[Mike Bell]

A new event on the calendar courtesy of Peter Auto. All their usual grids, plus U2TC. Will be my second visit to the historic park circuit in 3 weeks and 3rd Italian event this year. Dreaming of cold beer, pizza and limoncello already... Advice for anyone going- take insect repellent! The pesky little biters were out in force two weeks ago.



Website link- http://peterauto.peter.fr/en/eveneme...Monza-Historic

[Unit 2 Racing]

10 & 12 JUNE? maybe July

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Unit 2 Racing

10 & 12 JUNE? maybe July

I have difficulty remembering what day of the week it is, let alone what month of the year!

Any chance of a Mod saving me further embarrassment, please?

[Mike Bell]

Could still do with a kindly mod intervention to correct the title error!

Just checked wether for Monza and showing mid 30s every day. Just as well have got used to such temps recently.....

[Mike Bell]

Well, I'm still here, and see that according to thread title have been for a month!

Surprise, surprise, main talk surrounds the weather, which is building up to high 30s on Sunday, apparently. Then a local tells you it was hotter last week.... On way down in S France Tuesday, briefly saw 40 deg on dash readout, but fortunately not since!

Paddock organision and communication from PA has been excellent, just a petty (circuit) insistence that truck noses are level with a yellow line causing some frustration, and difficulty behind them with garage entry as only a metre left! Guess rigs were shorter when line was originally painted..... At Coppa Interueropa the line was ignored and all were required to line up further out to allow easier access behind, so no idea why changed- it made sense.

Our 'team' has grown to 3 cars for this event, and so far all in one piece and going well. CER1 qualifying first thing this morn, so not too hot for the B8. 60s endurance Q was in hottest part of afternoon yesterday, and SLR finished up P21 and fastest in class. The GT350 'newcomer' was naturally faster, placed mid teens somewhere. Saddest sight of the day for me was to see the blue ex Martino Finotto Zakspeed Escort of Ben Gill return from practice on tow with bad engine fire damage. It won't be going any further this w/end. The car suffered a multiple roll at Vallelunga at the beginning of the season, so more pain and work....

OK, things starting to happen. Better get skates on.....

[Mike Bell]

Well, rain and temp in mid-teens would suggest am nearly home! Having endured and enjoyed in equal quantities figures in mid 30s for last week, a bit of a shock, but hopefully will be easier to sleep....

Our own results at Monza were mixed. In 60s Endurance P10 for the SLR and 2nd in class. Just for the record it was beaten to class win (by few secs) by a normal Morgan! Well, not exactly normal, XRX 1, a genuine +4 Supersport, very well driven by Dion Kremer and Richard Meadon. The SLR ran fine but seemed to suffer from the heat more than the +4, likely to do with getting enough ambient air to the carbs. Suffering from the heat most were the Cobras, dropping like flies at one point in the 2hr race! Eventual winner was an E Type coupe, followed by one of two surviving Cobras, and then the 26R of Grant Tromans and Richard Meadon. (On Dunlops BTW- for followers of the Avon V Dunlop debate. All other cars on ZZs.) our other entry, a Mustang GT350, suffered a broken rocker ball/stud, unfortunately. In CER1, the little B8 ran sweetly and reliably to 16th o/a, but due to class structure, nowhere! For most of the race two Ferrari 512s were running 1st and 2nd, and sounding glorious while doing so. Would have been appropriate result for Monza. Eventual winner, however, was the T70 of David Hart. Also of note sound wise, the Daytona of Tim Summers, and a 312P. First time I've seen that car, and also the McLaren M6GT, which was difficult to tell from a B16 coming toward you on the pit straight!

Another pleasant Monza experience, good circuit organisation and not over zealous security. Seemed geared towards those paying to race, rather than those who may come to watch, as it should be. With similar impressions from the recent InterEuropa meeting, bodes well for future events at the amazing and historic location.

[henk4]

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/news_archive/#1395

Our report is here, ranging from 4 wheeling to no-wheeling cars, under rather tropical conditions.

[Mike Bell]

Good report and great pics, Pieter! Especially like the SLR with exhaust flames...

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Good report and great pics, Pieter! Especially like the SLR with exhaust flames...

Thanks Mike, and yes, that was a rare opportunity....

[Mike Bell]

And your pic of the 312 reinforces my thought that it had be the most constricted cockpit ever! Awesome car, though.....

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

And your pic of the 312 reinforces my thought that it had be the most constricted cockpit ever! Awesome car, though.....

actually here is a shot of driver David Franklin from seven years ago at Laguna Seca. It does not look too bad, but with helmet you'll toch the roof.