Modena Autodrome
Encyclopedia
The Aerautodromo di Modena (Modena Aero-autodrome) was a race track on the edge of Modena
in Italy
. The track had a length of 2.4 km (1.5 mi). It was opened in 1950 and the circuit was crossed by an airstrip of about 1.6 km (0.994196378639691 mi) in length which was used by the local flying club
.
The track hosted nine editions of the Modena Grand Prix for F1 and F2 racing cars, the last one in 1961. The circuit continued to host other racing events (sportcars, grand touring, Formula Junior
, motorcycles) until 1975.
In the 1960s and 1970s the track also served as a test track for Ferrari
, Maserati
and Lamborghini
during the morning or afternoon (but not both) on week days. At other times of day it was used by residents of the adjacent military camp for driver training, equipped with less exotic vehicles.
Despite the creeping expansion of nearby Modena, which involved a proliferation of apartment blocks and electricity pylons, the airstrip was a favoured venue for a number of local aerobatics
enthusiasts.
The circuit was subsequently demolished, and the site redeveloped as a public park to honour Enzo Ferrari
.
Modena
Modena is a city and comune on the south side of the Po Valley, in the Province of Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy....
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The track had a length of 2.4 km (1.5 mi). It was opened in 1950 and the circuit was crossed by an airstrip of about 1.6 km (0.994196378639691 mi) in length which was used by the local flying club
Flying club
A flying club or aero club is a not for profit, member run organization that provides its members with affordable access to aircraft.Many clubs also provide flight training, flight planning facilities, pilot supplies and associated services, as well as organizing social functions, fly-ins and...
.
The track hosted nine editions of the Modena Grand Prix for F1 and F2 racing cars, the last one in 1961. The circuit continued to host other racing events (sportcars, grand touring, Formula Junior
Formula Junior
Formula Junior is an open wheel formula racing class first adopted in October 1958 by the CSI . The class was intended to provide an entry level class where you could use inexpensive mechanical components from ordinary automobiles...
, motorcycles) until 1975.
In the 1960s and 1970s the track also served as a test track for Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
, Maserati
Maserati
Maserati is an Italian luxury car manufacturer established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna. The company's headquarters is now in Modena, and its emblem is a trident. It has been owned by the Italian car giant Fiat S.p.A. since 1993...
and Lamborghini
Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini , is an Italian car manufacturer. The company was founded by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, with the objective of producing a refined grand touring car to compete with established offerings from marques like...
during the morning or afternoon (but not both) on week days. At other times of day it was used by residents of the adjacent military camp for driver training, equipped with less exotic vehicles.
Despite the creeping expansion of nearby Modena, which involved a proliferation of apartment blocks and electricity pylons, the airstrip was a favoured venue for a number of local aerobatics
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
enthusiasts.
The circuit was subsequently demolished, and the site redeveloped as a public park to honour Enzo Ferrari
Enzo Ferrari
Enzo Anselmo Ferrari Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was an Italian race car driver and entrepreneur, the founder of the Scuderia Ferrari Grand Prix motor racing team, and subsequently of the Ferrari car manufacturer...
.