Finali Mondiali, Mugello, 5 to 8 November

Me with K and F2008

 

Great!

 

15 drivers from NA Challenge series will be there across both CS and TP classes.

Mugello is an awesome track, very fast and a lot of fun

Also a bit dicey in the rain....

 

I was there last week for testing under heavy rain and it was scary. I just hope the weather will be nicer in that weekend

 

I will be there

 

Finali Mondiali 2016 is being targeted for Daytona...first time to do World Finals in the US, and also timed with the massive renovations at Daytona ("Daytona Rising").

Daytona is unlike just about any GT track in the world, given the sustained high speeds and banking, so will be interesting to see if Pirelli can provide tires, the F1 and XX cars can be setup to drive it safely (or, alternatively, if they somehow change the configuration)

Daytona has proven to be a challenge (pun intended) for the tires.

Of course, this is still "unconfirmed". The alternative US site of course is Austin, the primary issue is December is cold and unpredictable weather. Given the Corse Client circus is in Homestead right beforehand, it also simplifies logistics to have it in Daytona

 

will be there

 

I'm present of this évent

 

Hey Al, quick question: If you could choose any track in the States, which would you choose and why? (for the Finals, of course) Curious, since you've driven most of them, and you've had experience at the Finali Mondiali before..so you also have a feel for what the Finals are about.... Thank You, see you next week!

 

this is a no-win question!

If it's JUST about driving the cars on a great track, VIR. Downside - with all due respect, Danville, VA is in the middle of nowhere. Hard to get to, few places to stay.

Same with the (repaved) Glen. Both places make Mugello feel like it's in downtown Florence. Plus, December means weather....as in snow potential (likely for the Glen, possible for VIR).

However, given the logistics required (easy place to get to, places to stay, things to do, weather):

COTA - has F1 prestige, plenty of space for paddock setup, town can absorb the influx, and it's a known entity for setups (for F1, Challenge and XX). Downside = December in Austin? unpredictable.

Laguna Seca - close to Monterey, beautiful, fun track, ties to Pebble Beach, and great location to encourage fans to turn out. Downside = December in Monterey, weather unpredictable (but likely fine). Other downside is it's "MAZDA Raceway Laguna Seca"...

Daytona - well, it's Daytona. Uniquely American, incredible history. Very fun to drive. Timing coincides with the completion of "Daytona Rising". Not a huge tourist attraction town, other than the track. Weather in December, quite nice. Great opportunity to mesh deeper with NASCAR/IMSA. You have not lived until you've gone flat ALL the way around the banking....so will be a fun draw for drivers. Downside = need to make sure the XX and F1 cars (the tires) are good to go on the banking.

Texas Motorsport Ranch - upside = close to Boardwalk. Means Nathan can buy everyone a steak and a beer with no excuses that he "had to leave the event early to get to back to work".

My wager? Daytona. Plus, the Corse Clienti circus will be at Homestead the month prior, keeps the logistics complexity down.

 

Elkhart Lake? (Not in Nov/Dec)

Marcel Massini

 

great point - consider my list amended.

Road America is a great track, high speed and beautiful place - especially in the summer! It's a great mid-America resort vibe. Downsides = a bit remote, and being there in December might require Pirelli to develop studded tires.

We have a lot of great US tracks, any of which would make for a great World Finals event, I guess I'm overthinking the "December" part. Example -Road Atlanta would likely be a great pick as well that I left off my list, Georgia in December can be quite nice (then again, I think we all saw Petit Le Mans this year)

 

good stuff! I think you have a great point that we have a lot of good options here in the US- MSR was funny! Nathan says he'd happily buy the steaks and beer, even yours!! (??)

fwiw: Road America... I mean...despite being a great track... no brainer: it's in the track NAME!

 

See you there ��

Thanks for the 2016 Calender - should be in a own thread!

 

The weather for this week in Mugello
Sunny, sunny, sunny...
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Heeee, where did you get a picture of my garage?
;-)

 

weather forecast looks sooo nice, maybe I consider my wife that she drives down with the FF and the luggage for I can drive with the Speciale