The crews are busy with preparations and fine-tuning the cars with assistance and alternative routes; let’s see how the Italian stables are getting ready.
We reached Dr. Antonio Di Martino, president of Scuderia Milano Autostoriche:
What do you think about the return of the start from Milan compared to Turin?
We worked hard and well to bring the start of this race back to our city, and we are proud to have succeeded. Turin hosted us in a unique and spectacular location, but Milan is our city.
The numbers are lower compared to last year when you had 25 crews divided into 3 teams, while this year you have only 2 teams with 18 crews… what caused this decrease in participants?
As you wrote in your previous article, last year there were issues with strict penalty application and timing anomalies. It’s understandable that there was some disenchantment with this race.
So, what are the goals for this year?
Among our ranks, there are missing some important names who historically participated in many editions of the Rallye Monte Carlo Historique like Fontanella, De Angelis, Seno, etc., who are committed to other objectives (Gabriele Seno will be one of our scouts, for example…). They, along with all the others, have contributed to raising the name of Milano Autostoriche (winning the team cup 6 times in a row). However, I have a lot of faith in our crews and expect a good result without too many expectations and pressures.
Marianna Ambrogi, sports director of Scuderia del Grifone, talks about the difficulty of dealing with the sudden departure of President Gianni Chiesa, which left the entire regularity world astonished. Gianni, in his first participation in the Monegasque race, reached the third step of the podium together with his sister Tiziana.
Many well-known names, regulars of the race, are missing from the registration: Gandino, Keller, Bonamini, Tenconi, Liberatore, Mosconi, along with experienced navigators Ricci, Manzini, and yourself. What caused this absence?
The initial idea was not to participate in this edition of the Rallye Monte Carlo Historique. Gianni’s absence is felt every day, but I have to follow the will of each individual member/friend. Therefore, we followed the will of the 7 crews who wanted to form the team (the seventh crew joined recently); it’s a race that is close to our hearts, and starting from next year, we expect to have a considerable number of crews. The prominent names you mentioned, along with myself, will be engaged in other projects.
What do you think about the return of the start from Milan compared to Turin?
It was a suggestive and exciting start. Turin welcomed us last year with an incredible crowd in the wonderful Piazza San Carlo, but we are also happy to return to Milan, which always welcomes us with enthusiasm. It wouldn’t be bad to alternate between the two cities every other year.
What are the goals for this year?
We are primarily a group of friends who enjoy spending time together. It’s crucial in our adventures to stay in the same hotels to have as many convivial moments as possible. We only become competitive when we get behind the wheel. We know we have strong crews that can perform well, but Monte Carlo is a long and unpredictable race that unfolds over a vast territory, where weather conditions can also make a difference. Our aim is to have fun and do our best, but any result will be fine as long as we enjoy the journey.
President of Scuderia Mirabella Mille Miglia, Dr. Luigi Zampaglione, answers our questions:
Scuderia Mirabella Mille Miglia has registered 5 teams this year, what can you tell us about it?
Five teams are an important milestone even for a lively Scuderia like ours. It’s Italy’s second most historic team after Scuderia Ferrari, with a past even in F1. In this edition, we also have a team debuting in this specialty (team 238 Cisotto, note).
We are preparing seriously, as one should when deciding to venture into competitions like this. We prepare as a group, sharing information and advice with those approaching the race now, and sharing feelings. We have a team debuting not only in this race but especially in this specialty. Together, motivation and fun increase!
What do you think about the return of the start from Milan compared to Turin?
Milan is more central and closer to Brescia (the team’s headquarters). However, Turin has more historical significance; cars from major teams participating in the race used to start from there, and it’s also closer to Monte Carlo. All in all, the locations are equivalent. Alternating is fine, but we are happy to have returned to starting from Milan.
What do you expect from this Monte Carlo?
We expect a lot of commitment, a lot of fun, great enthusiasm, and maybe some small hiccups, but we want to start and finish as five! The overall ranking interests us only partially; it will primarily be a competition among us.
Good luck to all the teams in the race, especially to the three Italian stables!
We will run alongside them to bring you their emotions on our pages, updating you daily.
Cristina Biagi x Promotor Classic MAGAZINE