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Motor Valley’s intense weekend between WorldSBK at Imola and Fanatec at Misano

The hot weekend did not stop the passion and enthusiasm of two- and four-wheel enthusiasts. Two eagerly awaited events registred record attendance: the World Superbike at Imola and the Fanatec GT World Challenge at Misano.

WorldSBK in Imola

53,531 admissions were recorded at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo and Dino Ferrari during the three spectacular days, enlivened by two-wheel “duels” and coups de théâtre.

Toprak Ragzatlioglu and Alvaro Bautista put on a spectacular show over the weekend that marked the return of Superbike at Imola. The Spaniard triumphed in Race 1, while Race 2 experienced its twist after just a few seconds, with Bautista’s crash at Tamburello. Toprak was thus the favourite for victory, who achieved the feat of defeating the Ducatis on their home track, first that of Alvaro Bautista, then that of Axel Bassani.

Sunday at Imola was tinged Yamaha blue not only in Superbike, but also in the Supersport classes with victories for Stefano Manzi and Matteo Vannucci.

Fanatec in Misano

Another circuit, another challenge! The same weekend brought just as much excitement at the Misano World Circuit with the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe.

Valentino Rossi was the great protagonist: on his home track the Doctor scored his first victory in the championship organised by SRO, climbing onto the top step of the podium six years after his last success in MotoGp on 25 June 2017 at Assen. In second place finished the #11 Audi of Legeret – Haase, third the other BMW of Team WRT entrusted to the duo Simmenauer – Neubauer.

Rossi’s first victory in the Fanatec GT World Challenge is the icing on the cake of a weekend that closes with a very positive balance: 21,856 spectators registered.

The Fifth Edition of Motor Valley Fest: in Modena from 11 to 14 May 2023

The dates for the Fifth Edition of the Motor Valley Fest, the great open-air festival of the Land of Motors in Emilia Romagna, have been unveiled. A long weekend, from 11 to 14 May 2023, again in the capital of the world’s most famous Motor Valley, the city of Modena (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

For all motor enthusiasts, for insiders, for the national and international car community, the “Fest” formula, which includes an intense calendar of conventions and round tables, exhibitions of cars of Motor Valley brands, themed meetings, parades, dynamic appointments and tastings, will once again be the most eagerly awaited spring event. The Motor Valley is back in the spotlight with its unique mix of experiences and excellence aimed at celebrating the territory and its protagonists.

“Since its inception, year after year, Motor Valley Fest has established itself as an international reference point for the world of motors. This is confirmed by the growing numbers of participants and visitors,’ says the President of the Emilia Romagna Region, Stefano Bonaccini. ‘We are proud to have kept our commitment to create not only a showcase of the many excellences of a territory that is recognised as the world’s Motor Valley, but also an opportunity for discussion in which to discuss the present and plan the future of the sector. A living event, to face the decisive challenges that await us: environmental sustainability, the development of high-performance ecological engines, the use of new technologies, research, the need to train specialised personnel and match them with the needs of companies, and to attract talent from Italy and every country. Tradition, passion and innovation come together in a unique and unmissable event”.

“Once again,” explains Modena Mayor Gian Carlo Muzzarelli, “Motor Valley Fest will be an opportunity to look to the future of the automotive sector, starting from the solid roots that our territory can boast. We are already preparing to welcome tourists and enthusiasts who, as always, will be able to admire authentic works of art of technology along with those offered by the city’s historic centre, where the now traditional Motor Night will also take place. In the fifth edition, among the many appointments dedicated to innovation in the sector, we will have the opportunity – the Mayor announces – to remember a great innovator such as the recently deceased engineer Mauro Forghieri, a great protagonist of Formula 1, for years alongside Enzo Ferrari. An example for the many young people interested in the events that will be proposed together with the Universities”.

This 5th edition will be even more significant, as 2023 will mark important anniversaries for all lovers of the Land of Motors in Emilia-Romagna: the 125th anniversary of Enzo Ferrari’s birth, the 70th anniversary of the Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Autodrome in Imola, the 30th anniversary of Ferruccio Lamborghini’s death, and the 60th anniversary of Lamborghini’s foundation. Not to be missed is the Innovation & Talents format, the networking area dedicated to talents, start-ups and the university world, with talent talks, in-depth meetings in a hybrid format, in presence and streamed on YouTube, and round tables where they will talk about evolutions and the future in the automotive sector, the place where automotive companies meet young university students from all over Italy and from universities around the world.

Motor Valley Fest will be the flywheel for the international promotion of Made in Italy and will be part of the communication campaign of the Emilia-Romagna Region and Apt Servizi Emilia Romagna, for the international enhancement of the Italian automotive sector.

Claudio Domenicali reconfirmed as President of Motor Valley

At today’s Motor Valley shareholders’ meeting, Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati, has been reconfirmed for another two years as President of Motor Valley. 

Re-election as President is a source of pride for Domenicali, who underlines the uniqueness and relevance of Motor Valley in the territory.

“In recent years I have carried out the task of President of the Motor Valley Development association with pride and responsibility because I believe that enhancing the uniqueness of this territory is a duty for those who, like us, are part of it. It is an honour to be able to continue in this role in the next two years and I would like to thank all the partners and institutions for their trust” – declared Claudio Domenicali. “The industrial, tourist and cultural region of the Emilia-Romagna Motor Valley deserves to be supported and promoted in all its components, continuing to give value to the prestigious universities, historical and artistic culture and unrivalled motoring and technological expertise.”

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