Today, we leave the well-trodden Via Emilia behind. We venture into the provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia, where the Motor Valley works behind the scenes, amidst hills and plains that shaped motoring history and where the future of motorsport and the automotive industry is being written today. While showcasing Bologna and Modena meant dealing with some of the most famous names in the Motor Valley, moving westward means stepping away from the spotlight.

Indeed, it is among these hills that Dallara‘s engineering genius designs the aerodynamic solutions dominating circuits worldwide. And it is on the technical asphalt of the Varano de’ Melegari racetrack that the best young drivers are nurtured, refined, and trained — a vital training ground for the champions of tomorrow.

But this is only one side of the coin: heading down toward the plains, pure passion turns into veneration inside incredible temples of car collecting and dream showrooms that draw enthusiasts from all over. Parma and Reggio Emilia are not the periphery of the myth: they are the incubator of the future and a priceless historical vault for the Motor Valley.

Sit back, relax: the journey is about to begin.

Dallara Academy: where racing science meets the genius of the future

In Varano de’ Melegari, nestled in the hills of Parma, a passion for racing merges with the ultimate expression of aerodynamic engineering.

Serving as a focal point for enthusiasts and future talents is the Dallara Academy, a multi-purpose museum strongly championed by Engineer Giampaolo Dallara to share, hand down, and evolve the company’s technological heritage.

The visit unfolds along a spectacular curved exhibition ramp, an exciting journey through the models that have shaped the company’s history. Inside, from the first sports prototype cars of the 1970s to the cutting-edge Dallara Stradale, passing through the single-seaters that dominated at Le Mans, in IndyCar, and in Formula 3, it tells the story of the evolution of carbon fiber and the study of airflow.

But the Academy is not just a museum; it is a true laboratory of knowledge. Right next to the historic cars are the university classrooms of MUNER (Motor Valley University of Emilia-Romagna) and educational workshops for schools, creating a unique ecosystem where the great history of racing passes the torch to the minds that will drive tomorrow’s innovation. Specifically for middle and high school students, the Academy offers edutainment programs where physics and aerodynamics are learned through play: students can experience the laws of speed firsthand, testing themselves with wind tunnel tests and simulations on composite materials.

An immersive experience, designed for those who want to explore what lies behind victories on circuits worldwide. Below, you will find all the useful information to plan your visit, from opening hours to guided tours and available workshops.

Varano circuit: home to Scuderia de Adamich and the talents of tomorrow

If the Dallara Academy is the mind, the asphalt of the Riccardo Paletti Racetrack is the brawn. It is here that the essential training ground for the champions of tomorrow we mentioned comes to life: a varied and challenging track where engines never shut off, thanks to a packed calendar of races, championships, and motoring events happening all year round. But this circuit is not just a baptism of fire for young drivers; it is also the permanent home to some of the most prestigious driving experiences in the Motor Valley, as well as the stage for Formula SAE: the famous international competition where the best engineering students from universities worldwide take to the track to test the prototypes they have designed and built.

For decades, the circuit has represented one of the main reference points in Italy for driving education, thanks to the presence of the Scuderia de Adamich, which has its historic operational headquarters right here. Founded by former Formula 1 driver Andrea de Adamich, the school has trained generations of drivers and enthusiasts through programs that combine safety, technique, and vehicle control. The famous Safe Driving and Advanced Sports Driving courses allow participants to develop awareness and skills behind the wheel in a professional and highly specialized environment.

The quality of the infrastructure and the expertise gained over time have also made the racetrack the ideal venue for programs of excellence such as the Master Maserati Driving Experience, the exclusive official program by the House of the Trident. Here, enthusiasts can test extraordinary cars like the MC20 and the GT2 Stradale, accompanied by the brand’s professional driver-instructors.

But Varano’s track is also the stage for pure, unbridled, and accessible fun. With Varano Kart, the thrill of speed shifts to a fleet of zippy rental karts. Groups of friends and enthusiasts can challenge each other in authentic race formats (Sprint or Grand Prix), complete with professional timing, and experience the magic of the track at night thanks to a powerful lighting system. Below is all the useful information.

Between prestigious collections and dream showrooms: the historical vault of the myth

Places that allow you to journey through the history of the Land of Motors from an intimate yet spectacular perspective: living archives safeguarding unique pieces, prototypes, and heritage capable of recounting the technical and cultural transformation of the region. Moving between the provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia means precisely this: discovering a map made of incredible temples of collecting.

On this journey among the guardians of memory, a must-visit stop is Ruote da Sogno in Reggio Emilia. Not just a simple exhibition space, but an immense showroom and atelier of excellence where hundreds of vintage cars and motorbikes create an atmosphere suspended in time. The real uniqueness lies in the fact that here, the charm of contemplation meets the pragmatism of the market: in fact, every splendid piece on display is available for purchase, ready to find a new custodian. A vibrant and multifaceted space that, thanks to its industrial charm, regularly transforms into an exceptional venue for exclusive events, exhibitions, and gala evenings capable of attracting collectors from all over the world.

Alongside the major exhibition venues, the true soul of this region is revealed even further by delving into its most intimate stories. Across the provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia, historic custodians and dedicated enthusiasts have, over time, gathered rare pieces, unique memorabilia, and entire chapters of global motorsport and motorcycling history.

Below, you will find the must-see private museums and collections, ready to reveal an authentic, priceless, and fascinating side of the Motor Valley:

The other workshop of excellence: the unique flavors of the Parma and Reggio Emilia Food Valley

We change workshops, but we remain in the realm of excellence. Because Parmigiano Reggiano is pure milk engineering: a precision system unique in the world. Alongside the culture of speed, the provinces of Parma and Reggio Emilia safeguard a gastronomic heritage where time and artisanal craftsmanship create inimitable masterpieces. A centuries-old art made of precise rituals that we in the editorial team experienced firsthand during the filming of our Around Motor Valley episode on YouTube, when we stopped at the Caseificio Il Battistero in Varano de’ Melegari, to hear from Lorenzo Ferrari how master cheesemakers manage this extraordinary quality supply chain every day.

This same obsessive attention to detail runs through the entire local cuisine, a rich mosaic of unmistakable flavors. Traveling through these hills and plains means pampering yourself with the great culinary stops: from Prosciutto di Parma to the regal Culatello di Zibello, passing through steaming tortelli (d’erbetta or pumpkin) to the unavoidable erbazzone reggiano. All strictly accompanied by piping hot torta fritta and a good glass of Lambrusco. Between a track session in Varano and a journey into the future of aerodynamics, planning a food break is not just a piece of advice: it is a fundamental part of the experience.

A bucolic detour: toward the Pietra di Bismantova

If the roar of engines ignites adrenaline, the landscapes between Parma and Reggio Emilia offer a different perspective on the Motor Valley. Leaving workshops, museums, and circuits behind for a moment, it is worth turning your gaze toward the Reggio Emilia Apennines, where the unmistakable profile of the Pietra di Bismantova stands out.

The Pietra di Bismantova is an imposing rocky plateau that dominates the surrounding landscape and holds a special place in the history of Italian literature. Cited by Dante Alighieri in Canto IV of Purgatorio, it continues to surprise today with its unmistakable shape and the panoramic view it offers over the Apennines.

A visit can also be an opportunity to discover some of Emilia’s most fascinating castles, such as the Bardi Fortress and the Varano de’ Melegari Castle. An itinerary that pairs car culture with a slower dimension, made of landscapes, history, and memory.

Upcoming events in Parma and Reggio Emilia

The Motor Valley calendar brings together the events that light up these two provinces throughout the year. The beating heart of major competitions and the bulk of the action are firmly based at the Varano de’ Melegari Racetrack, featuring a packed schedule of official championships, track challenges, and high-adrenaline weekends.

But keep your eyes peeled for the rest of the region as well: the Land of Motors expresses itself outside the circuits too, through special events capable of drawing enthusiasts from all over, such as the unmissable Open Days and major events at the Ruote da Sogno headquarters, along with rallies and gatherings that periodically bring the squares and villages of these two provinces to life.

Stay up to date below!