M. Antoniazzi, De Tomaso Vallelunga worked his way throught field to take fourth overall.
Story and photos by Roberto Motta
The first round of the historical racing championship on the Monza track
On March 26th and 27th, the Monza’s Autodromo Nazionale hosted the first round of the 2011 Italian Historic Championship and the event was well attended.
Race Group 1
The first cars on the track were the 25 most historic cars of 1° grouping, including Alfa Romeo Giuliettas, a De Tomaso Vallelunga, a Ford Mustang 289, a few Jaguar E Types and a small group of Minis. The race was dominated by Emanuele Benedini and his Jaguar E Type. Benedini started from the pole position with a margin 2 seconds over Gelmini’s Lotus Elan 26 R. Rangheri, at the wheel of another Jaguar, finished the race in third place. But it was Antoniazzi and his De Tomaso Vallelunga which provided the most exciting race. Antoniazzi recovered seven positions to finish the race in 4° position overall.
Race Groups 2 and 3
A win for the Sordi father and son team in their Porsche 935 was virtually assured. Victory, however, is not always easy; as soon the race-director gave the green light, the weather changed and it began raining. In the early laps the drivers were careful to to avoid accidents; however Casoni and his De Tomaso Pantera had an accident that forced him to slow down and to became more prudent. After the obligatory stop and go, Sordi was able to win the race without any problem. Behind the winner, Fogagnolo-Fogagnolo and their 935 finished in 2° place, while the third 935 driven by Coggiola was forced to stop at the pits with mechanical problems. The Lancia Beta Monte Carlo suffered a broken throttle cable, ending its hopes for victory and placed 9th.
Lurani Trophy
On the Monza weekend is started also the Challage Formule Storiche for the Lurani Trophy. Pierre Tonetti and his Brabham BT6 made the fastest laps during the qualify and won race 1 and race 2 for rear engined Juniors. In both races he finished in front of the Scottish driver John Fyda with the Lotus 22 and Paolo Marzatico with his Branca Formula Junior.
In the front-engined class, the victory was divided between Daniele Salodini in race 1 and the winner of the Challenge in 2010, Tazio Taraschi, in race 2.
Campionato Italiano Autostoriche
27 Marzo MONZA
17 Aprile ADRIA
29 Maggio MUGELLO
12 Giugno A1 Ring ZELTWEG (A)
24 Luglio MISANO2h
25 Settembre VARANO
9 Ottobre IMOLA
23 Ottobre VALLELUNGA 300km
4 Dicembre MAGIONE 2h
Challange Formule Storiche
27 Marzo Autodromo Nazionale Monza*
29 Maggio Autodromo del Mugello*
24 Luglio Autodromo di Misano Adriatico
09 Ottobre Autodromo di Imola
Contestants in the Campionato Italiano Autostoriche
Giustino de Tommasis, Alfa Giulietta SS.
R. Rosticci, Autom. Kinzica Porsche 911 3.0.
A. Francescon, Abarth 1000.
M. Ferraro, Lancia Fulvia Zagato.
G. Anastasi's FIAT 500 Giannini.
F. Valle, Team Form-Agorest Lancia Beta Monte Carlo.
R. Gritti, in the Scuderia Del Lario Renault R5.
Contestants in the Lurani Trophy Fomula Junior Race
John Delane from the U.S., Lotus 18C.
Jan Biekens, Stanguellini.
P. Tonetti, BRABHAM BT6.
John Chisholm in a Gemini MK II B.
Guido Haschke in a Lotus 20/22E.
Guido Di Egidio, Taraschi F Jr. competes in the Lurani Trophy event.