Italy is synonymous with cars, being the home of such famous names as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lamborghini, Lancia and Maserati, and a love of (fast) cars is almost mandatory among Italian males.
Italians (both male and female) are passionate supporters ( tifosi) of Formula One motor racing, especially the Ferrari team. Italy has a proud history in motor racing and has produced many world champions. Two Formula One Grand Prix races are staged annually in Italy.
In April the San Marino race, although not technically an Italian event, is held on Italian soil at Imola, south-east of Bologna (not far from the home of Ferrari at Modena) – where Ayton Senna was killed in 1994. There are many links between Ferrari and the Imola track, where the stadium, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, is named after the founder of Ferrari and his son.
The Italian Grand Prix is held in September at Monza (www.monzanet.it), where there has been motor racing since 1922. The Formula One Autodromo lies within a vast, attractive park on the edge of Monza, although it’s little more than a northern suburb of Milan these days.
Tickets for Grand Prix meetings can be obtained from the venue, although they don’t come particularly cheap, varying from around €40 to well over €250.
There are many opportunities to get involved with rallying in Italy, where you can take part in one of the many events organised by local motor clubs or just watch the experts in the major national races such as the famous San Remo Rally held in October each year.
Contact local automobile clubs for information about what’s available in your area.
This is another enormously popular sport, which has had a long love affair with Italian superbikes such as Ducati, Moto Guzzi and MV Agusta. Mopeds and motor bikes are such a common means of everyday transport for millions of Italians that it would be strange if this didn’t spill over into a love of motorcycle racing.
If you wish to take part in something a little more organised than the daily race to work, contact the Federazione Motociclistica Italiana, Viale Tiziano, 70, 00196 Rome (06-324 881, www.federmoto.it).
This article is an extract from Living and Working in Italy. Click here to get a copy now.