Modena, 19 May, 2001
Racers’ list
Scrutinising & Racing on Saturday
Fiorano, Tavianella, Riolo Terme – the second stage
Welcome to Imola – the third stage
Mugello, Futa pass, rain and clouds and a twisted trace bar
Entry List
Results
Held for just the second time, the Modena Cento Ore Classic 2001 had to fulfil high
expectations because of the first running, which was perfectly organised, ideally
situated in the heart of Northern Italy with a friendly and warm atmosphere for
participants. Great race action on three different circuits – Fiorano, Varano & Imola –
for both participants and spectators, was on the agenda. All this combined with the
famous Modenese cuisine made a lasting impression on me !
This year, the organisers headed by Mr. Bompani not only achieved the aim to reach
this top level again, but even exceeded all expectations.
Racers’ list
Though still an insider event organised by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, exceptional
and wonderful cars were listed in the ”Racers’ list” divided into two main groups – the
race category and the regularity section.
Imagine hard fights on demanding circuits like Imola and Mugello between a pair of
surprisingly quick De Tomaso Pantera Gr. 4 racers pitted against two brutish Ferrari
Daytona Competition Coupes !
In the race class, the drivers gave their very best (and sometimes more…) to be the
fastest not only on track, but on the total of nine special stages through the Apennines.
Even the most talented amongst them – like John Bosch – had their ”moments” racing
up the small roads, which they had never driven before…
Scrutinising & Racing on Saturday
As with last year, the scrutineering took place at the Parco Novi Sad in the North of
Modena. All cars were presented in two opposing rows looking like a sparkling string
of pearls in the sun. Although not all the competitors as listed in the official
programme showed up, there were still more than enough for a nice exhibition.
Besides the Group 4 ”monsters”, the two Panteras and Daytona Coupes, last year’s
wining car – the Lotus 30 – and the Alfa Tipo 33 SP appeared to be the certain
candidates for overall victory. Compared to them, the small Chevron B6 driven by
Schryver/Hadfield initially seemed to me to be the right car only for the hillclimbs, but it
taught me a lesson later: The Daytonas had no chance against it at Imola and Mugello
!
Ferrari 250 GT TdF s/n 0793GT
Another highlight was parked next to the 300 S. Chassis 0793GT still belongs to the
famous Ferrari frame constructor Giulio Vaccari and was driven by Mr. Olivi, the
nephew of Vaccari. Raced successfully from new by Giovanardi in many hillclimbs it
was modified in 1959 with brake cooling ducts, an extra wiper on top and Farina
Coupe tail lights, which it still wears today. These features, together with the nice
unrestored condition, mark this Tdf as an unique example.
Ferrari 500 TR s/n 0638MDTR
Like the yellow Stancari owned Ferrari 500 Mondial s/n 0410MD, Marco Pelizziari
showed up with his rare 500 TR only for scrutineering. Perfectly restored and
presented in a somewhat orange colour, it stood in sharp contrast to Mr. Stancari’s
very original Mondial.
Ferrari 250 TR s/n 0720TR
Mrs. & Mr. Mergard’s new acquisition – the ex-Rodney Felton 250 TR s/n 0720 TR –
was displayed for the first time in public since Mr. Felton’s heavy accident in the early
90’s in a Bugatti, the TR showed some ”patina”.
I personally tried to get behind the wheel of 0720TR but my height – 186cm – wasn’t
the best basis for that exercise. After a long gymnastic endeavour I finally fitted in, but
with no chance to use the pedals with my feet…..so I’ll have to cancel the TR from my
”wanna-have-car-collection-list”.
During the afternoon the event had begun with a Slalom through Parco Novi Sad
continuing with a road section on a short route through Maranello, taking in their first
special stage up the hill at Torre Maina. The route finished back at the Piazza Ducale
in the heart of Modena, after which the cars were finally parked for the night in a parc
fermé.
Tobias Aichele, who’s co-pilot felt sick after the first kilometres in his black BMW 3.0
CSL asked me at Torre Maina, if I could act as his co-pilot for this special stage.
Within a second he got my answer: Yes, of course !
Tobias told me that Rallye Ace Walter Roehrl himself had set-up his BMW on the
famous Nurburgring Nordschleife, and I only could agree how well it handled after the
hillclimb stage. This BMW behaved very neutrally, even in the tightest corners, without
any roll ! Compared to the De Tomaso Mangusta ahead of us we were driving as if on
a railway track….
Fiorano, Tavianella, Riolo Terme – the second stage
After an exceptional and charming dinner in an old North Italian castle, the competitors
were in fine mood for the next racing day, which included a round on the famous
Ferrari test track Fiorano. Is there a better chance to get on this sacred piece of land?
Visiting Fiorano, and watching all these old race cars driving like hell around the
course, gave you an impression how life was in the 50’s and 60’s. You could almost
feel that Enzo Ferrari would step out of Casa Ferrari any moment and have a
conversation with the competitors.
After Fiorano, a long trip was in store for all the competitors, including two special
stages – Tavianella and Zattaglia – through the mountains before reaching the final
destination for the night at the Grand Hotel Riolo Terme. According to some
competitors, Tavianella especially, was a tricky hillclimb stage. In one of the many
curves, John Bosch touched a curbstone with the back of his recently restored
Daytona Competizione s/n 14407 losing control of the car for a short moment finally
resulting in a ride into the bushes. Thanks to his driving skill major damage was
averted, and after some evening repairs the Daytona was ready to complete the event.
The Grand Hotel Riolo Terme with its beautifully arranged garden park provided the
right atmosphere. Here all the cars were displayed in the grounds with the stylish old
Hotel as a splendid backdrop.
Welcome to Imola – the third stage
What more do you need for a perfect day with your favourite car? Sunshine, a beautiful
landscape, a fascinating track and challenging race action. All the right ingredients for
an unforgettable day…
The third stage including a short time stage at Casola Valsenio which was run twice
during the day. At Imola the competitors, especially those in the race class, fascinated
all the spectators with great battles and overtaking manoeuvres. In the regularity
section, where the competitors have to be within a special time plan - even on the
Imola track - some took it not too seriously. In particular Wolf Zweifler, who raced his
300 S with verve, I believe he hadn’t any stop watches with him at all ! But in the end
he was rewarded with the black flag….and at the prize giving Mauro Bompani
presented him with a bottle of Aceto Balsamico plus the title ”fastest driver in
regularity”. Congratulations, Wolfi !
Mugello, Futa pass, rain and clouds and a twisted trace bar
Early in the morning we had to leave our hotel in Riolo Terme for the final stage to
Mugello. The weather looked overcast with a threat of rain, but it was dry – at first!
Mugello, a wonderfully situated undulating race track 50km north of Florence, served
as the venue for a thrilling fight between a blue race battered Bizzarrini 5300 GT, a
Porsche 911 3.0 RSR and a Shelby Mustang. Suddenly something blue was flying
through the air, and after looking twice everyone could see that the Bizzarrini had lost
its bonnet!
Mugello was only the hors d’hoevre. On the way back to Modena a number of
competitors had to give up due to mechanical problems, including the 250 TR. Harald
Mergard had twisted the track control bar on the Futa pass and decided to retire for
safety reasons after the lunch break.
The Modena Cento Ore Classic 2001 as a race event was over but not the friendly
atmosphere and the social highlight of this event – the final dinner and prize giving.
Mr. Bompani and all the organisers which made this event come true can be proud.
They’ve established a wonderful event, where besides all the race action,
camaraderie combined with the famous local cuisine is written in big letters.
We enjoyed the Modena Cento Ore Classic 2001 very much and look forward for next
year.
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