Le Belle Macchine d'Italia (Pocono / Pennsylvania)

Ive been to it at least 6 times. I would drive up from TX for this. You see great cars the hotel where you stay is gorgeous, the track is VERY fast, I see near 170 mph down the back straight in my 512TR & probably over 180 mph in the 512TR race car. The food is pretty good. You can be guaranteed to see a bunch of F40s, TRs, maybe a n F50 or an Enzo, once in a while a nice old classic comes out. Every year this event is near the top of my list, I already signed up

 

I'll be going to the concorso at Skytop. I was very impressed 2 years ago. I'd also like to see the cars at the track, but was told it wasn't open to the public. A phone call last year suggests that may not be true anymore.

On the same note, I found this link;
http://www.fanucci.com/PoconoCSD/index.html from May 5th 2003.
it lists a Pocono run run & concorse as well for DeTomaso, Corvette, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini. Unfortunately, I can't find anything else about it. I tried calling the restraunt, but the number has been disconnected.

Anybody have any more information on it?
thanks

 

Dont know if its the biggest but its Big
usually at least 100 exotics
at least 4 runs a day, 30 min each & last day is best for track, might get 1/2 day of track
dont know about the drivers school question

 

That is the competition to the Belle Macchine event, well not really since its held in a different month but the 2 guys have a rivalry

I go to both events. The event you listed hear is a little smaller bcus its newer but that just means you get more track time. great bunch of guys

 

I was at the Skytop Lodge years ago, for a lawyer's convention. It rained the entire time i was there, and the building and outlying property remained constantly shrouded in fog. The place had a "Shining" quality about it, old stone, wood panelling, everything felt more than a little dated, not necessarily in the sense of old world luxury; more like someplace time simply forgot. This became particularly true when the locals showed up for the late afternoon punch/cookies and dance; the "band" had those old-fashioned enclosed music stands with some logo on them, and everybody danced, waltz fashion, to music that was vintage Lawrence Welk.
The dining room had a sign out front prohibiting the wearing of "faddish" clothing.
Needless to say, I stayed in my room alot of the time, but did admire the fire axe bolted to the wall out in the hallway.

 

Brian, do you think you'll have your car by then?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

If he books this event, then definitely NOT

Pete

 

thats because these are track guys & not sticklers for just italian stuff. You get a lot of exotic Italian stuff but a few Vettes & maybe a Viper or 2 thrown in

 

Yes, the only event that is larger is Concorso Italiano. On average over 350 Italian automobiles attend the event over the 3 days.

We average 130 over the weekend

average between 100 to 120 drivers

minimum of 5 sessions per day

The track is run by FCA National Track Chairman Bob Coates. There is no one better. Pocono is a very big track that can you can run 6 wide down the front stratight

The Driver's school is after the Concorso conducted by Professional Instructors (SRE) It last about 1 to 2 hours.

Skytop's meals are very good quality

I guess that depends on what you are used to, compared to other events
it is a down right bargin

We usually have anywhere from 5 to 15 people from Texas each year.

If there are any other questions I would be more than happy to answer.

Joe Corbacio
Italian Cars
Organizers of Le Belle Macchine d'Italia

 

Brian,

Can't speak for the event having never run with them, but I can vouch for what Will said about Pocono, especially if they run the long course.

One of the last events I did with the Challenge car was Pocono and I went their to see how fast the 355 would run on the banks and back straight.

Only time I have ever pulled near redline in 6th GEAR !!!!!!!!!!!

Speedometer was disconnected but I ran bumper to bumper with a 360 C who claimed he was doing close to 180 mph.

Here are a few clips of the banking and straights. You are going close to 130 on the banking alone. It's a rush.

http://jpkofod.lunarpages.com/Fchat_Videos/POC2.mpg (big clip with several laps)

http://jpkofod.lunarpages.com/Fchat_Videos/POC3.mpg (much smaller clip, half lap)

Regards,

Jon P. Kofod
www.flatoutracing.net

 

Here is the 2003 track schedule. '04 will be similar.

7:30 AM Drivers' Meeting

8:10 Blue
8:30 Red
8:50 White
9:10 Green
9:30 Blue
9:50 Red
10:10 White
10:30 Green
10:50 Blue
11:10 Red
11:30 White
11:30 Lunchtime Touring Drivers' Mtg
11:50 Green
12:10 Lunch
12:10 Lunchtime Touring
12:30 TBA
1:10 Blue
1:30 Red
1:50 Green / White
2:10 TBA
2:30 Blue
2:50 Red
3:10 Green / White
3:30 TBA
3:50 Blue
4:10 Red
4:30 Green / White
4:50 Red/Blue

Correct it takes place at the Concorso site. We also do Tech Inspection during the Concorso. The classroom usually get split up into beginer/novice
and interm/advanced

Joe

 

The event takes place the last weekend in June. '05 will be the same, the weekend before the 4th.

Joe

 

Joe, what events are open to non-owners? I'd like to check out the track event to spectate? Is that OK and is there a fee?

 

I was interested in spectating as well.....unless they want me to take my stock VW on the track. Let me know what the deal is with that. Pocono can have some wicked fog, I have attended a few races there of various classes, and twice you could only see the front stretch from the bleachers. At any rate it looks like it would be a fun event to attend, and some good pictures could be had from it. Thanks again.

Craig

 

Count me in as another person that would like to spectate at the track. In the other thread about this event (http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18336) it was mentioned that you could buy tickets for the track event at the Concours ticket table. I'll be heading down there either way and if the track event is open to spectators then that will be a nice bonus.

 

Here is an incentive to clear the calendar. Lamborghini will be sending their Legendary Test Driver Valentino Balboni. (The guy from that famous 60 minutes segment on the Countach many years ago that scared the **** out of Morley Safer).

He along with Automobili Lamborghini CEO Dott. Greco (Former FNA President) will be offering rides for charity at Pocono International Raceway. That's right for a charitable donation you can ride with a Factory Test Driver at speed on a racetrack.

I rode with him a few years back in a Diablo 6.0. He took me into Turn 1 pushing 170 mph. And that wasn't the scary part; he then proceeded to take the turn right through the middle of the bank. Wow, but just a casual day at the office to him.

It is truly the ride of a lifetime.

Joe

 

The track is only open to registered participants. Register for the event and you gain access to all activities.

Joe

 

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