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VINTAGE: Modena Brings Out Racing’s Best
Written by: Wouter Melissen
UltimateCarPage.com   http://www.ultimatecarpage.com
07/02/2009
Modena (IT)
 
Since 1993, Uwe Meissner's Modena Motorsport has hosted a track-day event at such venues as Spa Francorchamps and the Nürburgring. Although Modena Motorsport deals exclusively with Ferraris, the event is open to exotic and racing cars from all manufacturers.

A classic Ferrari 212 F1 sits on display at the Nurburgring track. (Photo: Wouter Melissen) » More Photos
The Modena Trackdays offers owners the opportunity drive their prized possessions on a racing track without the pressure of competing against the clock or others.

This setup brings out a wide variety of sports racers and Formula 1 cars that only rarely see action. In addition there is a concours d'elegance, which is open to all the Ferraris entered in the event.

Like the most recent editions, this year's Modena Trackdays was held on the Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit. Although the track itself has changed little, we were pleasantly surprised by the new main grandstand facilities.

One of the new attractions is a rollercoaster that accelerates along the start-finish straight from 0-120 mph in less than 4 seconds. Unfortunately, it was not ready for a test drive, so we could focus all our attention on the on-track action.

Formula 1 cars

This 1967 Ferrari 312 F1 was the oldest machine to run on the track in this group. It also won Best of Show in the concours d'elegance. (Photo: Wouter Melissen) » More Photos
In 2003, Modena Motorsport became the first F1 Clienti base outside the factory, so it is not surprising that Ferrari Formula 1 cars play a central role in the event with a dedicated group.

The oldest machine to take to the track in this group was the 1967 Ferrari 312 F1, which was originally driven by Chris Amon and Derek Bell. With its 'spaghetti' style exhaust pipes sprouting from the center of the V12 engine, it captured the imagination of most visitors. Among them were the judges,
who picked the car as 'Best of Show' in the concours d'elegance.

Not nearly as pleasing to the eye but far more efficient was the Ferrari 312 T4, also present. It was used by Jody Scheckter to clinch Ferrari's last driver's world championship of the 20th century. The success finally returned in 2000 when Michael Schumacher won the first of his five world championships with Ferrari. He retired in 2006 after racing the Ferrari 248 F1 for a full season. Two of those were brought for their owners by the Corse Cliente team.

There were also various non-Ferrari single seaters on track and even a two-seater, which was piloted on the first day by Marc Gene. Another interesting non-Ferrari was the McLaren MP4/1B, which is one of the few McLarens sold to a private owner since Ron Dennis took over in 1981. Also present but unfortunately not on track was an ex-Alain Prost Williams FW15C Renault.


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