The opening event of the 2003 North American Ferrari/Maserati Historics was held at Moroso Motorsports Park as part of the traditional Cavallino Classic event. Peter Sachs led flag to flag to win the first race, for racing Ferraris and Maseratis fitted with drum brakes, and pre-war Alfas. Sachs’s Ferrari 335 Sport took a narrow victory and class win over Jon Shirley's 250 TR prototype, the first appearance of that car in the series. Lawrence Stroll's 250 TR finished third overall. Other class winners included Ed Davies's 375 MM Pinin Farina Spider, Stephen Dudley's 250 GT Tour de France Berlinetta, Jay Jessup's Maserati 200 SI, and Dennis Machul's Alfa Romeo 8C2300 Monza in the Pre-War class.
The Disc Brake grid saw two 512 BB/LMs in battle. Todd Morici was on pole, with Ray Hartman alongside. Morici took the lead at the green flag, and his victory was assured when Hartman suffered mechanical problems on the seventh lap. Bill Noon’s 308 GT/Michelotto, Charlie Arnott’s Competition Daytona, and Nick Longhi in the ex-Roger Penske Sunoco 512 M were class winners, as was Sachs, this time driving a 250 GTO/64. Lawrence Stroll took the class win for 1960’s prototypes in his ex-Francorchamps 412P ahead of Chuck Wegner's 196 SP. The series, organized by Ferrari/Maserati North America, will make its next appearance at the Sears Point Raceway in California on March 8-9.
Giovanni Agnelli Dies
The body of Giovanni Agnelli laid in state in the Art Gallery atop the old Lingotto factory, as thousands of mourners came to honor the Fiat patriarch.
Agnelli passed away at age 81, Friday, January 24th after a long battle with cancer. Agnelli was not only one of Italy’s most prominent businessmen, but was a link to the past, successful Italian motor industry.
In May, 2002, amid rumors of his death, investors quickly bought Fiat shares, betting that the rumors of Mr Agnelli's death, if true, would make a disposal of Fiat's loss-making car division more likely. This time, the rumors weretrue, and Fiat stock was up more than five percent.
Agnelli, whose grandfather founded Fiat, is seen as the strongest opponent to a sale of the group's loss-making auto unit.
Agnelli’s nephew Giovanni Alberto Agnelli, who was the heir to the empire, died in 1997 at the age of 33, also of cancer. Giovanni, also known as "Gianni" and his brother Umberto who is close to retirement age, are without male heirs to inherit the legacy after their sons died early.
The task of leading the Fiat empire may fall on Gianni's grandson, 26-year old John Elkann.
According to Gabriele Gambarova, an analyst at Rasbank in Milan, there may not be significant changes as the result of Agnelli’s death. A progressive exit from the auto industrty is still in the works. Agnelli’s death, however, may hasten those plans.
Modena Motorsport Ferrari Track Days July 23-24 2003
Uwe Meissner would be delighted to welcome Ferraristi from all over the world to join the 10th version of the "Modena Motorsport Ferrari Track Days" in 2003. Meissner created the event 10 years ago to welcome his customers, friends and his great friend Jacky Ickx. This year’s even will be held at the famous Nurburgring, and Meissner hopes to attract over 20 Ferrari F1 cars.
Eligible cars:
Classic Road and Competition Ferraris (1948 – 1973): Free of charge !!
Ferrari and non Ferrari Formula cars of all decades
Free of charge !!
Extraordinary Ferraris like 333SP, 365 GTB/4 Comp., the new ENZO: Free of charge !!
Modern Ferraris, all Maseratis and Dinos: 250 Euros/both days
Other extraordinary cars like the Ford GT 40, Alfa T 33 Daytona, McLaren,
Porsche 904,906,908,910,917,962, Iso Daytona, Bizzarrini 500 Euros/both days
Each participant will have the opportunity to drive their cars on the track a minimum of 3 times, but more likely 4-5 times per day, for about 45 – 60 minutes during each session. Crash helmet is obligatory!
Please contact: Helmut Schnug classicsincamera@aol.com
