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Saturday 14th, 1000Miglia 2011 travel journal
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| Saturday, May 14 2011 |
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Saturday, May 14 2011
Third race day. Roma - Brescia
4:45 hours alarm clock, immediately wake up , quick breakfast and here we are, ready for the departure from S.Angelo Castle, established for us at 6:45. In general classification we are in three very near, in order we are the first, then Ferrari and Scalise: everything is possible. A little in late but still perfectly in race both Sisti from 1000 points and Elicable, while the super champion Canè seems too much far...but always pay attention to him, he's incredibly able as nobody to catch up with exorbitant average.
At the departure we did as always a quick speech with the enemies, but this time everyone say us something different from usual: "very good, but pay attention because today count a lot...", "it will be hard, but you can do it...", "break the leg, but pay attention behind you...".
We listen and speak with everyone, but we are already concentrate and we want absolutely to start and close ourselves in our car, stay alone and give all we can offer, untill the end: we start from Roma with the intention to do everything to win the race. It's a juicy occasion to stay there and don't play it. Just outside Roma, they wait us the new three special stage at Vallelunga's racetrack, really beautiful as always in those track.
When we do it in the early morning, there's even a bit of fog, due to dampness, and as real Mantova citizens in the fog "we felt at home": we start determined and concentrate, indeed we did very well in the first two technical checks gain on Scalise and Ferrari, but at the third technical check I committed a banal mistake while they do well. To sum up, went outside Vallelunga we are all there, the three very close to each other with unchanged score. A show for who follow from home. But for us too, we are having fun.
With this sporting pressure and after have waved the friend Giovanni from San Severino, come to see us in Roma, we take the road for Radicofani where is waiting us the CO (Time Control) and immediately after the 5 very difficult special stage, short and hard, on a steep climbing which conduct in the village. But as we said surprises in 1000Miglia never miss...20 Km from Radicofani I listen a strange noise coming from the left back wing: the verdict is raw...croaked clamp support, probably all untied with the certainity to lose shortly the entire wig.
Damn it, we wish to don't have disadvantages on late at CO, it means no reach the first positions at all. Very quick break at the first open petrol station, and with "the surgeon" Moreno, ready for the assistence immediately behind us, wholly in 15 minuts we strip down the wheel, weld the clamp, and we set up everything while Stefania beat the time left and Massimo, my job's partner, help us fixing: while we are happily working we see the numbers after us pass...a bad movie!!
We go on again as lightening and push untill the CO, overtaking cars and cars, where luckly we arrive with 4 minuts early...and this is finished too, thans to Moreno and Massimo!!
Everyone see us came in hurry and with "strange face" and understanding the situation leave us alone: we are glad to all because we need to find calm and the required concentration for the difficult and important technical checks, which we must affront in just three minuts.
We move closer to the end, and we are still all near, with Scalise and Ferrari, a mistake could definitely be crucial; and for us, that we have the problem to posses a lower car respect them, we can not make any mistakes. Few waiting minuts, few quick words exchange and glances with two wonderful persons, Liana and Valerio from Nettuno's Team, and we pass the CO to go towards the Radicofani's technical checks.
We look for the right concentration and we enter in the technical checks, but obviously we aren't fine and something doesn't work: in every technical checks we lose both against Ferrari and Scalise, that is recovering, who are alternating themselves at our back and are always closer to us, untill at the end block the Ferraris overtake us and Scalise is next to us, always in third position. In other words, technical checks to forget for us, so much that when we go out we are second: everything to redo.
And at the same time compliments to our direct rivals, who instead were better than us. Wholly calm and trustwhorthy, we enjoy the passage trough Radicofani and S.Quirico d'Orcia, which are simply breathtaking. In the transfer towards the next Pieve A Salti's technical checks, with Stefania I think we leave just 10 1000Miglia's technical checks and that we must try with all our forces to take the comand in the next 5 technical checks, all over dirt road: I'm very calm respect this special stage, I trust on my past as Dakar driver, where the wheel's grip is an habit. Indeed from the first technical check on dirt road we re-take the control, then the Ferraris re-take it in the next, but immediately we came back ahead at the third technical check and Scalise pass even Ferrari and he pass behind us at the end of this technical checks block.
Incredible triple fight, technical check by technical check, to gain the "most beautiful world race": a show. But great reciprocal correctness and respect, beyond true friendship, as we show each other more than one time with the Ferraris, extraordinary persons; and with Scalise too who I didn't know before, exactly at the exit of these beautiful technical checks on dirt road which it make come back into history to the partecipants. Waiting for the Buonconvento's CO we met in consulting togheter times and classifications technical checks.
Great FearPlay even playing for high stake: we are play for the 1000Miglia.
Coming back to the race , we appear at the last day lunch newly ahead in classification a just 7 technical checks from the end: wonderful. Quick buffet-lunch prepared by volvanic DS and Classicteam partner, Otto Checchi (Top driver...not pussy-pussy, woof-woof) which we enjoy going towards Siena, where as always a lot of people wait us in Piazza del Campo...big emotion and joy. And to don't speak about the great reception reserved for us in Firenze's Piazza della Signoria: pass through these crowd wings is to stay without words.
And how explain the slopes to Futa and Raticosa, with the road full of people on both sides which stay there from hours and wave you with a white handkerchief and banners and trumpets...a show here too. These are certainly the street that made the 1000Miglia's history. Shiver. In particular when we see at the edge a person that wave his arms madly when he saw us passing and with a sunny and smiling face, how not know him?...he's Leo Fabbri, our friend. Thanks to be there, beyond the always good Alessandro "Lobster" Gamberini who is navigated from "Jack Nobili" this year and recorded the lower penalties number between the partecipants.
We enjoy totally these passages, but just upon the Raticosa hill, our mind come back 100% on technical checks and race; we are closer to Monghidoro, always closer to the end, always first and we don't have the intention to "let it go". Now in the race we have just 30 points advantages on Scalise, which in nothing respect the advantage car coefficent he has on us, and 240 on never calm Ferraris, with better car coefficent too, while the forth, the argentin Elicable, is far away already 1000 points, thence out of the podium except particular cases.
For the first three in classification strong tension, with all to play.
I stamp in Monghidoro center and then immediately out of the village for the technical checks. We enter determined but at the first technical check we pay 9 penalties, and Scalise, sizing the opportunity take the race control which preserve in the second too, even if we do well with just 1 penalty. But at the third technical check, with a precision passage again with 1 penalty, we re-take newly the control, this time exploiting a Scalise's big mistake, who pay with 18 penalties late: thence at the end of Monghidoro technical checks, we are not only the first, but we are even more far away from Scalise with 220 points and 250 from Ferrari. We don't let it go. It leaves just 4 technical checks.
We are always more concentrate. In this area I cross the glances of Mantova Corse, Luca and Marco, there's feeling with them and with a gesture we understand each other. They respect our concentration because they know prfectly what it is the historic car regularity.
I thank our "first master" Luciano Lui (the "second one" is Giuliano Gandolfi) who navigated from Giancarlo Grossi, in all the last technical checks "glance over our shoulder" from excited Ferrari's car of Ferrari Tribuite left in late...very dangerous for all of us, above all on decisive technical checks where they could create confusion and passage's problem. In these case, and thanks to the high stake, the 1000Miglia's victory, we can't leave nothing to the case; thanks Luciano.
Very short movement of some Km, keeping the maxim concentration and determination, and we arrive at the last three technical checks block, those of Loiano. We again in three to fight; to shiver. Without lose time we enter in the technical checks block and at the first we do 0 penalty gain a lot on rivals, but then with 8 penalties we permit to go closer and then we close with 2 penalties in the last technical check...at the end we are first again with 147 points on Ferrari, who in this block overtake Scalise, now third with 400 points.
Heart-stopping untill the end: both for us and who follow from home...and you are so much. A lot.
With these general classification positions leave one timed technical check to the 2011 1000Miglia's end, that of Fiorano in Ferrari's track, we begin the transfer after Loiano, which is hard for the Bologna center cross, beautiful, and for the big traffic in Emilia street.
To understand better the tension of these last decisive race moments, we must make a small jump back, on Futa, where for a car accident we stay all stopped for 15 minuts; we were stopped next to Bruno and Carlo Ferrari, with whom we have joke and talk quietly as always.
Between some topics, we say that probably the CO after Bologna and before Fiorano, exactly in Anzola Emilia, it will be canceled, due to the time lose for the car accident: but in the race the experience learn that we must not count on what the other should or could do, organization at first, thence at the departure we don't lose time and keep good steps, to look for to arrive anyway in time.
At Bologna's door, we see that with that rythm, even if nice (euphemism..) we won't arrive in time, thence Stefania, careful navigator, say to me "Giordano, it doesn't work, with these steps we don't arrive in time and I can't see Ferrari in front of us; maybe him too is trying to take the CO and if he's doing it him that have a big experience, we shoul did it too".
In my thought I think "very good Stefi, good consideration", and even if the Ferraris are ahead us of 5 minuts with the CO, having a lower departure number respect us, I like the idea to stay close to their; but immediately after, starting to go quickly, my fear go towards Bologna cross where passing quickly we should certainly prove the car with hard strokes and fearful jump (very rigid car, on manholes, asphalt strikes, holes, subsidences, historic center paved, put in risk breaks, as my wings).
The risk will be even to be obbliged to draw back, even because going fast in the traffic we spaced out a lot the assistence. But the victory research in 1000Miglia is worth this and every strategy.
Therefore I start without any esitantions with a fast speed for a prewar car, running in the middle of the street and behind us they join the queu 3/4 cars. We overtake everything and everyone, we jump in Bologna city center as I never did in my life, where thousands people clapping and waving us...but we can't stop, the time goes inexorable.
Unfolding the time the tension grow, we can't make a mistake on Anzola's CO, it means throw the 1000Miglia...impossible!! With this thought in mind, we run at Maggiore Square's stamp too where we would like to stop to a quick talk with the friends Lucio Rossi, Gianmarco and Freddy, that instead we see just quickly and we wave just with the arm.
Go immediately out of the city, towards Modena's avenue, always fast and in the middle of the street, with Stefania who navigate perfectly withour lose a particular, make a mistake on the road chosen would the end, and she mark me the time...wonderful Stefi, she's giving me an incredible energy (if it would be necessary with me...).
We go closer to the control place, but even the time pass "without mercy". It leave already less than 1 minute at the end of out time passage at CO and we see from distance the platform where is the control, with a commissioner in the middle of the street, to indicate us the entry point in the square; very speed, poor Aston Martin Le Mans, I throw myself into the gate as a rally driver, say to me "we are there"...of corse not...the commissioner table is at the end of the square distance around 200 m, so I accelerate all...and after 230 Km of passages in Firenze, Futa with car accident, Raticosa, Bologna and 6 timed technical checks...we arrive at chronometerer table ONLY 20 secods before our time passage. We are shivering for the stored tension, but it's unimportant, we did it, great!!
The commissioner, while are withdrawing our chart and noting down the exact time, they comunicate us we will start in 10 minuts; I will kiss them for the beautiful news. Precious time to find the necessary calm, reload the body eating and drinking something and to control the car.
And exactly from this voice in my head come an important thought, because I notice that miss 5 waters liters in the radiator respect the 16 it usually contains. We can not follow, maybe the high speed togheter with the hot day have provoked the water spillage, which level must be re-established.
The assistence is not with us, so I ask to Stefania to drive and to keep a bit of gas to turn a little the water engine, while I pour the 3 liters water store into the radiator, which I pour it very slowly becuse too much cold respect the other. In this way end our waiting time, the famous 10 minuts, and we must go on without have eat or drink and neither have a rest...too bad!
We go towards Fiorano, where wait us the final technical check; that deceive for our sort.
Maybe this year are these negative events, these problems, to give to Stefania and I, more detrmination and desire to gain the race. They will mean even more energy for us, in the transfer towards Fiorano, in the car "is so quiet you could hear a pin drop", we are both in the decisive technical check with our thoughts, which it will determine the 2011 1000Miglia's winners.
I feel that we want this victory at all, as never happened in the last days and in other competitions: and this give serenity and calm. We are first in classification and going towards the Ferrari's track, the only thing we do is calcolate how we must do as penalty to win the race whatever, aside from Ferrari's result, first follower and very close to us, even supposing a perfect passage with 0 penalties.
And our calculation say to us that if we do less than 4 penalties the race is ours. That's it. Then we don't speak anymore, it is not necessary. In silence we arrive at the race entrance: there are yet cars in queu in front of us, between them the beautiful Ferrari's Bugatti.
We see each other and in the friendly cross glance between us it is read a "go, have fun and play it"...wonderful. It could win everyone, Scalise too, and in any way ends it will a good fight, gripping, absorbing, as it was unseen from years at 1000Miglia; we had a lot of fun and we made amusement for who follow from home.
And now my thoughts come back to Bruno Ferrari's words at the departure, thence "hope nobody flee ahead staying there untill the end, but that would a race fight untill the end with changing in the top driver, it would be wonderful for everyone"; and inside me say "what a prophet were you, and will you happy, Bruno, doesn't it?".
Immediately after these thoughts, I and we came back in our car with the mind; the will to enter in the final technical check grow, I want to do it and I don't have any fear to affront it or to make mistakes...and knowing me is a good signal.
The car in front of us enter once in technical check and we move closer at our moment; to our big opportunity; when they are left just 3/4 cars in front of us, we are full of energy, we want this 1000Miglia as ever. Both.
From one minute to the entry technical check, I said to Stefania: "Stefi, open well the technical check, then it is mine, I'll do it".
I'm thrilled, but at the same time I'm cold and clear-headed: inside me there are just positive sensation. Start too the last car which precede us, we get ready, 20 seconds left.
The "positive tension" in the car, that good, sane and pure adrenaline, grow out of all proportion, nobody speak, both with eyes on the open-pressure and each of us think to what must do, pointing at the perfection...now or never.
The commissioner give us the "GO", I insert the first gear and go...I have my eyes on the pressure, after a while I push it with my front wheel...and exactly in that moment I heard the "bip" in the headphones...and immediately I think "big Stefi, big, big, big, even this time you were perfect, thanks!!!". She open well.
Now it starts "my turn", "my 2minuts 53 seconds technical check" which really worth the entrance in the history of "the most beautiful world race".
The 1000Miglia is in my hand, better in my feet. Everything depend from me. Who knows me, know I look for and like this from responsability situation: enthusiast me, excite me and are able to take out the best from me.
Probably for the effect of the high concentration and adrenaline in my body, I did the track driving very well, as few times before, with every change both going up and down perfectly (very difficult "read" in historic car); in the second escalation in the track slope, I shout for the joy and energy I have inside, a fight shout...as to say, I'm here, I'm arriving pressure, I'm arriving 1000Miglia.
Stefi absolutely in silence, always great, she's still concentrated to close well her last split in two of the race, even we all know that her action hasn't a value for the classification...but she's there, as to say "I'm here with you, we are a real crew".
But now to win or not it count just my ending time.
I remember and will remember for ever every meter and second of this drive track: 2 Km and 400 m, 2 minuts 53 seconds beautiful.
At the end of the straight I start to see the closer pressure, I go closer to the yellow table and then I stop: we have 15 seconds, I insert the first gear without taking away my look at "him", the pressure, I stare it without taking away my eyes...I want to eat it, and inside me I said "you're mine".
I hear in my headphones the "last 10 seconds' " bip and start, I'm calm, I begin to move closer, I'm fine, everything proceed well, at "5, 4, 3" I found myself in the right position and speed...everything good and the last 2 seconds are the confirmation of the right passage I did. And so when I'm next to the 0 I push my pressure with the front wheel, and at the same time I hear the bip in my headphones of Stefania's time, which I heard it perfectly very close to the perfect time of 0.
The sensation in undescribable, it send shiver down our spine...a huge joy. I look at the time in the car, which indicate +3 centiseconds...and having perceived the wonderful Stefania's split in two, I understand is reliable and that probably it is finished.
We are serene, aware to did well everything we could and must do, to give the best of us. And it satisfied us from the first moment.
We take each other's hand without say a word; it is not required, it is sufficient the glance we exchange. We go out from the track and just outside the gate we stop in an isolated place and we log on to see the on-line technical check's time...we are calm and trusthworthy.
The first time we see is Ferrari's, entered before us; they did 5 centiseconds error, thece they are behind prescinding from all.
Then come out our official time of 4 centiseconds...WE ARE AHEAD EVERYONE, YES, YES, YES, IT'S DONE!!!
To be sure we attend the Scalise's time too, but with our 4 we know yet that he can't catch up us. He did 3 centiseconds, he's the better of the three in this Fiorano's technical check, but it doesn't matter, the race is over.
THE 2011 1000Miglia IS OURS!!!!
We shout for the joy, I look Stefania who has wet her eyes, we hug and esult togheter. Huge joy, incredible, undescribable.
Shared with her, it's a dream came true. Then we say "even pushing but bring our Aston Martin Le Mans untill Brescia". And from that moment begin "the triumphal march" towards the final CO in Borgosatollo, Brescia, passing the cities near Mantova where a lot of our friends are waiting to hug and rejoice at us, as did Gianni Lenzi at the entrance of Reggio Emilia's Square, or Luigi Orlandini, Terre of Canossa's boss, who jump literally into the car with the most of his staff and the speaker who fill us of energy in front of thousands people...emotions.
Or as in Parma, where Giovanni Adorni receive us always in the middle of the square, and where again Attilio Facconi, microphone in hand as in Desenzano, he obblige us to go down the car to take the applauses from present people...between whom she's present the new friend "Novi" Martini, with whom I exchange a long, strong and intense hug...beautiful and unforgettable.
Or as in Casalmaggiore where we cross Leo's look, childhood friend and historic car passionate; thaks Leo, a pleasure see you.
Or as in Cremona, where is waiting us Claudio Gregori, as local and Brescia's tv too that want to collect our first impressions as "almost winners", beacuase as I said to everyone "for the moment we are the first, but we will gain totally when we will be in Brescia".
Then go towards Manerbio, and again Brescia, where we arrive at final Brescia's CO with a smoking car due to the radiator to have lose again a lot of water, but it doesn't matter, we are there...we hand in our table to the CO's commissioners, and in that moment, just in that moment...WE WON THE 2011 1000Miglia!!!!
Our names from that instant are in the history of the world most famous car race. Went off our huge joy and happiness. Impossible describe it, in that moment it's our...of Stefania and I. The first make compliments to us after the race, just to don't contradict theiselves, are the Ferraris; again we say to their "well done, compliments to you too and above all for the friendship and the sportsmanship".
Then arrive "the surgeon" Moreno with my partner Massimo; with a very big and strong hug for us. After we fill our Aston Martin's radiator with water, we go towards the arrival stage in Viale Venezia, where in the last Km before go on the platform dozens of friends make us compliments, between them the friends Gigi and Laura, Michele from the Classicteam (who I thanks to give me an assistance car) and Raffaele, but Gianpietro Belussi too from Brescia's Aci, and then Maurizo and others. In the end we go on the stage and what happen you can see from this web site's videos.
I think to haven't any words. The morning following the official prize-giving in Brescia's Teatro Grande, crowed of people, it is not required a word to try to transmit something of what we felt Stefania and I. Without any doubts the most beautiful memory we have of our 2011 1000Miglia's victory is the long and intense applause reserved to us from all the present, most of whom standing up. We never forget it. Thanks to you, but above all, I say "thanks Stefi".
Thursday 12 | Friday 13 | Saturday 14
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