MG Speed Day in Monza - February 6, 2011

Speed Day 2011: 11 exciting new events dedicated to all car and speed enthusiasts! Speed Day offers you the chance to take to the track as a star. You can safely drive your car around the Italian F1 Grand Prix circuit, giving free rein to your passion and bringing out the sporting and team spirit in your DNA. The season, which began on November 14, 2010, and will end on March 6, 2011, consists of themed Sundays dedicated to tourist driving. The themes are linked to the nationality of the car manufacturers and/or the type of car.

Anyone who owns a car themed for the chosen day will be able to enjoy interesting benefits. To take part in this promotion, it is essential to register online by 12 noon on the Friday before the chosen event. With Speed Day, the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza opens its doors to all enthusiasts and anyone who simply wants to watch you speed around the track. You will be able to color gray winter mornings with emotion on the historic circuit of your city. And if your friends don't want to join you on the track, they can watch the event in the grandstand, or, even, you can transport them in your car at no additional cost. This, in summary, is what you can find on the dedicated website, and it took Meloscia E esto, with his antennae perked up, to seize the opportunity and pass on the tip-off regarding Sunday, February 6th and English Style Day to the Director and Team of Centro Lombardia. When Angelo thanks him publicly at the farewell ceremony, he deflects with his hand in the air: nothing. The Lombardy Team is made up of Angelo Bernardi, Arturo Frattini, Michele Ratti, Esto Meloscia, Giuliano Bider, Andrea Maglio: a group of friends, made friends thanks to their passion for MGs and the Club, who meet to organize events and meetings with a managerial approach, but with the understanding and generosity that only friendship and passion for the MG idea can provide. Beyond everything, this is undoubtedly the happiest and most auspicious note of the day. Monza - Autodromo Nazionale di Monza - a name full of emotion and history, the Bocconi University of motorsport, an unmissable opportunity for a test of driving skills well above the [road] limits. At the February roll call of Prof. Bernardi immediately responded with 30 drivers, who by the time they crossed the entrance to the racetrack, there would be 25: a few Milanese drivers were missing, because on the day of the English feast, which is Lent for cars in Milan and traffic restrictions. But it's interesting to see how the idea of the track experience also attracted two crews from Tuscany and two from Emilia, plus a spirited crew, Riccardo & Patrizia, representing the entire Central Veneto region, alongside a crew from Piedmont. It's the Riccardo & Patrizia duo who will ultimately receive a well-deserved award for having participated, covering more kilometers than any other crew. Professor Bernardi's lesson focuses on a one-on-one session on the track from 10:00 to 10:25. Following lunch, with a digestive digression on the high-speed circuit, an introductory lecture on the principles, methods, and practice of regularity: this year, the SCUDERIA is in full swing, encouraging Club members to fly the flag at high-level classic car events. Finally, a must-try in Central Lombardy: a taste of Oltrepò metodo classico sparkling wine accompanied by sweet chiacchiere and chocolate with Cuneo hazelnuts. Better than tea and biscuits. But back to us and our beloved cars: in the paddock, a gleam of bodywork treated at Meguiar's before winter and reawakened by the first sunshine. And the intimate conversation that takes place between each driver and his beloved: "Let's see if you can keep me at 4,500 rpm with the reconditioned engine; Please remember, no messing around with the set-up in the chicanes and at the second Lesmo, which is a sharp and treacherous curve, for drivers; let's see how the brake pads and drums behave in the braking zone after the pit straight, etc.». But while we're still there, busy taking stock and exchanging greetings, the call from the track director arrives for the briefing before entering: «These are the flags of the track markers and they mean… Helmets mandatory for soft-tops. Please remember, don't spoil the whim of an outing in the sand, because to recover you we'll have to call everyone back to the pits; save the sandblasting for the summer. Use the first two laps to get familiar with the track and the vehicle, then feel free to put the pedal to the metal». Some jokes among us: «Maybe he mistook us for that herd of hungry Minis waiting for tuition after us in the paddock». And so we lined up along the pit lane waiting for the green light with unparalleled British aplomb, but ahead of everyone else, Angelo sent out the mean race-prepared MGB 63, Gulf-Mirage livery, owned by Sandro Migliavacca from Pavia. Green!!! And it was an unforgettable half-hour of track lessons. Dear Friends, as you may have guessed from the style brimming with true culture, the article above is not mine but by my dear friend Eugenio Baracchi. Who, as usual, with great altruism and style, never signs his name... But we recognize him by now!!!! A few words of thanks from me to my team: Arturo Frattini, Michele Ratti, Meloscia E esto, Giuliano Bider, Andrea Maglio. And for this event, a special thanks to E esto, the true driving force behind this initiative... You are a great example for the entire Club! For all the participants in the MG Speed Day. I was amazed by the enthusiasm you showed us in Monza. There was so much adrenaline in the air, even the smog in the surrounding area had cleared. You convinced me, or rather, us, to persevere in this beautiful friendship. I'm also touched by the emails and phone calls you sent me after the event. We are grateful to everyone for your generosity... From the bottom of our hearts...
Angelo Bernardi and Team

For further photos please contact Angelo Bernardi and Team ( bernardi9@interfree.it )