In a historic moment for the 24H SERIES powered by Hankook, all competitors for this weekend’s Hankook 12H MONZA took part in a ceremonial parade lap of the famed banked oval at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza.
Retired from international competition at the end of 1969, though still used sparingly by the annual Monza Rally, the ‘Pista di Alta Velocita’ remains one of the most distinctive and definitive elements of the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza to this day, given its illustrious – and intermittently dark – heritage. Erected in 1922, the high-speed oval was re-built in 1954 and featured prominently in not only four official Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix between 1955 and 1961, but also the tenured 1000km of Monza, which ran the full 10km configuration for the first of only six times in the event’s 69-year history in 1956.
Future F1 World Champion Mike Hawthorn partnered with British countryman, and three-time Grand Prix winner, Peter Collins to conquer the oval and win the ’56 event aboard a works-entered Ferrari 500 TR. Three further Ferrari victories followed in 1965 (Jean Guichet and Mike Parkes, 275 P2), 1966 (John Surtees and Parkes, again) and 1967 (Lorenzo Bandini and Chris Amon) before Ford and Porsche finally took their first wins on Monza’s full 10km circuit in 1968 (David Hobbs and Paul Hawkins) and 1969 (Jo Siffert and Brian Redman).
Two years after the final 1000km of Monza, CREVENTIC returns endurance racing to one of the most beloved motor racing venues on the planet. What better way to pay tribute ahead of the first official 24H SERIES event to be held at ‘the temple of speed’ than a one-lap tour of the 4.25km speed oval by all of CREVENTIC’s GT and TCE entrants?
“It’s the kind of moment that gives you goosebumps,” CREVENTIC sporting coordinator Ole Dörlemann explains. “The banked curves at Monza are among the most storied structures in motor sport today, and to be given not only access to them by the management team at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza but permission to run the oval, respectfully, in its entirety is an opportunity very few promotions are given. We couldn’t think of a better way to start the first-ever Hankook 12H MONZA, and this is an occasion that will stay with all of us for a long, long time!”
Following the parade lap, all competitors were invited to take part in CREVENTIC’s now traditional, pre-race group photo in the pitlane at Monza. On-track activities on the 5.793km road circuit continued the following morning with official Free Practice for the Hankook 12H MONZA, during which Herberth Motorsport (#93) and Brutal Fish by KCMG (#122) set the fastest laps in the GT and TCE divisions respectively.
