Monza Race & Factory tour

I'm in the same boat.

Yes there is parking at the track, well organized but traffic is a mess. That's why I take the train

Europe outlets use 220V and Italy has the standard Euro 2 prong plug, which you get in any international kit.

Where are you staying? We chose Milan

 

I won't have a car, so I won't be able to get outside Milan/Monza, but maybe we'll meet at the track? What's your stand?

Since you have a car: Check out the Hotel Fossati in Canonica (just a couple of miles North of the Lesmos): Up until ten years ago the family Fossati run this place where all the F1 drivers stayed. The owner drove Sheckter to the dentist in the middle of the night before his Monza victory in 79 because Jody had an infected tooth. Gilles stayed there and Schumacher used to rent an entire floor for his entourage. The place has been renovated and lost its charm but the pictures of all the drivers staying at the place still hang on the walls.

 

I went to Monza a couple of years ago when Kimi came in 3rd after Hambone crashed in the last lap. What an incredible atmosphere!! To be surrounded by 100k tifosi! Buy the 3 day pass, which allows you to visit the paddocks on Thursday. Got some great pics of Hami, Kimi, Kubica. Even got Kimi to sign my Ferrari hat!!! Have fun!

I stayed in Milano and took the train each day to the track.

 

I sent you a private message, but for those who are also going....

The track is just outside Milan of course, but Milan traffic is like NYC traffic, except with more crazy and impatient drivers

I tried various ways of getting to the track. Driving there and parking was a bad idea - it took so long to get in (despite giving ourselves 2 hours) that we were running to the track to make it in time for practice.

The best solution was the off-site satellite parking lots. They are far enough from the track that you don't hit traffic jams getting to them, but close enough that it's only a 10 minute drive on the bus to the track. Plus, the buses are allowed to get right up to the track entrance, so it's less of a walk to get to your seats after you get off the bus. Plus, they have dedicated bus lanes so you don't get stuck in traffic while on the bus, and when the race is over, you get on the bus and when you get back to the parking lot, you're far enough from the logjam of traffic that you have clear sailing back home. I also used the trains one day and they were good, but I preferred having my own car there, and the buses were less busy than the trains (and faster too, IMO).

Definitely recommend that.

Don't miss out seeing Milan - beautiful city. The Duomo was fantastic! There is a high-speed train from Milan to Venice, if you are interested in seeing that.

My brother is in Italy now - if it's your first experience, just be prepared for everything being hectic, broken, frustrating, and inefficient, and nobody giving a crap about it or about you - that way you won't be disappointed Don't get me wrong, it's a nice place... but you sort of have to go with the flow or it'll drive you nuts.

As for power - 220V, with a two-pin "euro" plug. Many devices accept 110-220V input (laptop power adapter, camera battery chargers, cell phone chargers, etc, almost all accept 110-220V). For those devices, you just need a plug converter. I use these ones, because they go into the socket and fill up the recess, so they are more secure and provide a more solid connection, I find:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SY5O5K/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003C1MFYI/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i02

not all devices run on 220V. Some require 110V. If you plug a 110V device into a 220V outlet, you'll fry it (if you are lucky). If you are unlucky, it could literally catch fire! If you have any devices that require 110V, you need a voltage converter/transformer.

I've tried quite a few and prefer this one

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W9DJ1Q/ref=oh_details_o00_s02_i01

Many hotels have a special outlet in the bathroom for an electric shaver, so if that's the only 110V thing you need, ask the hotel since they may have such an outlet, negating the need for a transformer.

G'luck!

 

I did the same trip last year and paied for the #1 parking which is right in the middle of the pits, i wouldn't do it any other way.

 

Now that...is cool.

 

Is your factory tour set? I just did it in March and can give you advice if needed; here are some photos....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25475953@N06/

 

Excuse my pictures on page 2 from the Van Halen concert earlier this year....(another favorite passion)

Kevin

 

Do you have your confirmed invitation for your factory tour? Ferrari can be a bit difficult when it comes to tours in September around the GP. In 2006 we tried but they told us tours were limited.

In 06 we stayed in Milano before and after the race. We took a helicopter from Linate airport into Monza . On the return flight some of our group flew with Fisichella in the heli. It's a way cool method to get there. To make our day even better Schumi won, Barichello was 2nd and Michael announced his retirement on the winners podium. It was a memorable day.

I have done the Italian GP 3 times. It definitely makes for a great weekend. Get there early to take the time for the displays, the merchandise and other fun stuff. Even the food is not typical race track variety. Try not to drive and park on your own. Chaotic is an understatement.

 

A MS fan and a Van Halen fan? We're on the same page.

 

Stay frosty my friend!

 

your 5150 gave it away

 

Please note that it is forbidden to take pictures in the factory.

 

I rocked up there once with my (then) wife. Some guy from marketing gave us a tour around the place. Was very nice of him, really. He also gave me a lot of help in the following weeks with the locating and purchasing a of car I was after.

I think they're a little less friendly now.

 

D.Mauro; how long are you in Maranello? I have a ton of tips if you want...send me a PM

 

They take your cameras & phones away before you enter the bus; for the Fiorano tour (which our kids joined us on); they cover your phone's camera with this sticker that is unbelievably hard to remove......disappointing, but it is what it is.....would have to loved to taken a few photos in the F1 Corse Clienti room more than anything else.....

 

Bummer.
I didn't have the nerve either to take any pics.

 

That's your story and you're sticking to it?

Where in Milan are you staying?

 

Any updates/photos? Would love other what your thoughts were on that hotel on Lake Como....
Kevin