I am in Bologna now, can I see Imola course

I visited the track when I was there for the factory tour. I thought it was worth the drive.

 

40 minutes sounds about right.

The track is in the city's park, so I can't say whether it is closed or not (I would think it is open, but maybe only to walk, not to drive). I was only there during the race.

They are currently redoing the pits area, so expect some commotion.

Anyway, I would go there regardless: If nothing else you get to see the Ferrari memorial at the entrance and a bit further to the right (right of the entrance) the Ayrton Senna memorial near the place he crashed.

 

I'd try to figure out if anything is going on. Just to go see a track that's closed doesn't sound too thrilling. You might as well spend more time checking out Fiorano as for sure something will be going on there.

 

Yes they have a nice plaque just outside the fence of that turn that had flowers on it when we were there.

 

Plus Ayrton's lifesize bronze.

 

We've been to the track in Imola several times even when there was no race. One day we watched Challenge Cars on the track. It's quite pretty and as Andreas said a walk thru the park takes you to the memorial. Going into the town center is also nice.

Carol

 

Fiorano, Maranello and Modena are of course loaded with Ferrari places and souvenir shops. But still I would never ignore a real race track, even if there is nothing going on:

If nothing else, going to a track really gives you a sense of perspective of what it is like. Things like elevation changes and scale just don't come really through when watching it on TV. Once you've been to a place, you have a connection and watching the race on TV will never be the same again.

Regarding Imola I was stunned to see how small the track is. It reminded me more of a gokart track than a F1 race. On the plus side I was also immediately smitten with the beautiful park it is in. The hills and trees are just gorgeous, what a heavenly place to hold a race.

PS: Thanks Carol for chiming in. What took you so long?

 

True. If your there and you've got time to kill you might as well.

 

Just go to some of the stores off the beaten path in Maranello. If you want to see expensive check out the Ferrari Store across from the factory. Nice stuff though.

 

When you get to Maranello go to Hors-Ligne.
This is gift shop is more resonable than the Ferrari Store.

 

do yourself a favor and go to the pagani factory too.

 

If you have the time, walking a circuit is a wonderful way to get a permanent altered perspective of any race you see at the track in the future. Soak in the racing line and imagine how you would position the car into and out of every turn. It will make watching a race a completely new and far more involving experience. The averager F1 circuit is probably around 2.5 miles so it will take you around 50 minutes at strolling pace.

 

Here are my pics from there... I thought I had one of the Senna memorial but I can't seem to find it.
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I've been quite busy at work with basically only one more month of school and we've been doing quite a bit in preparation for the start of 07-08 in August. Getting new fencing installed for horses/cows - coming in at dark and not much time for computing! I think I've found my new toy . . a smaller version of the Bobcat the guys are using. (It's like riding around in a big game machine.)

Your comments about Imola make me want to get up and go right now. Our seats we get at Aqua Minerali (sp) provide that gorgeous view. Hope Bernie puts it back on the calendar for sure next year.

Carol

 

Some pics of the "Senna" aspect of Imola from my trip there in June of last year. A truly touching place that I will never forget. On another note, I was actually surprised at how run-down the track and facilities were.
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