No, this post has nothing whatsoever to do with the American sub-prime crisis nor the global economic downturn. It has been sparked entirely by the WSBK races at Monza last weekend and the fact that the races took place, as all races at Monza do and have done for many years, only only half of the original Monza circuit. You see, when the original circuit was built in 1936, it included a huge banked oval track as well as the present “flat track” that is used today.
Now, the banked section ceased being part of the “modern” circuit after 1961, not coincidentally related to the horrific accident that claimed the life of the popular German F1 driver and World Champion heir apparent, Wolfgang von Trips. He tangled with Britain’s Jim Clark and his Ferrari ran off the track and into the spectator stands, killing him and a number of spectators as well. It was then deemed that the banking was too dangerous and, apart from a few uses for record-breaking, it has fallen into complete disuse and disrepair.
This article will give much more detail than my precis and I’ve included it if you wish to know more.
For some years now there has been a concerted campaign to save the banking from complete collapse and, hopefully, restore it to use as an historic reminder of the glory years. Various petitions have been raised, and, if my “googling” is correct, the local council has finally agreed to not only save the banking but actually refurbish it and restore it to its former glory.
The excellent Superbikeplanet web site has published some photos today of the banking as it now is and I thought I’d provide a link to that as well so that you can gain some sort of impression of what it must have been like in its day and what it looks like today.
Pictures of the Monza banking courtesy of superbikeplanet.
I can’t ever see the track being used for racing, but it will be great if it’s restored anyway. Here’s a picture from the era, taken from Mark Glendenning’s excellent article.
If you want to follow up on this, just google “save the banking monza” and you will find lots more information.