Maranello, 29 March 2007

This weekend, the Mugello circuit hosts the opening round of this season's European Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge, for historic cars built by the Maranello company.

The cars which must be in possession of a "Technical Accreditation Document" from Ferrari, proving their original provenance, are divided into categories, depending on type and date of manufacture and compete in different grids.

The 2007 version of the series, which since 1999 has also been open to Maserati cars, boasts a special atmosphere in the paddock, where period dress is de rigeur. The series runs over five rounds.

This first round at the Scarperia (Florence) track forms part of the first running of the Mugello Historic Festival, which is already establishing itself as a key event for international historics, with a field of around 200 historic four wheeled beauties.



Tomorrow, Friday 30 March, starts with the first practice sessions including those for the FIA Historic Formula One Championship, for old single-seaters. Other events which add their own speciality to the race card include the GT & Sports Endurance Masters, providing further flavours from the past.

Sunday 1 April is the main day of the meeting and features a special parade for Ferrari F40 cars, as part of the European celebration of twenty years of this prestigious Prancing Horse model.

The Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello has come up with a special package so that spectators can make the most of this step back in time: on Friday, entry to the circuit is free, while the inclusive general admission-paddock ticket (15 Euro full price; 10 Euro concessions,) is valid for both Saturday and Sunday, while families are catered for as under-14s get in free.