RICK CARLINO continues his European racing odyssey in a 1956 Osca Mt4

RICK CARLINO has yet another Excellent Adventure in Europe ...this year in his Surtees TS9B , his Hesketh 308C, his Chevron B36 and his brother's 1956 Osca Mt4 April - July 2008

4- 6 APRIL 2008 Mugello Historic Festival Autodromo del Mugello - via Senni, 15 - Scarperia (Florence), Italy "The second edition of the Mugello Historic Festival takes place next weekend at the renowned Tuscan circuit. The event has attracted a very wide array of highly prestigious cars that have made motor racing history and is unique of its kind in Italy. The highpoint of the weekend will, of course, be the staging of the first round of the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge 2008. The championship is organised by Ferrari’s Corse Clienti (Client Racing) division and brings not only veteran and classic Ferraris but also equally legendary historic Alfa Romeos and Maseratis back to the track. Now on its 13th edition, the Historic Challenge is geographically split into two series (Europe and North America) and also into various categories based on production year and brake type (disc or drum). A total of 46 cars spanning over 40 years of sporting history between them will be taking part in the Mugello round: these range all the way from a 1937 Maserati 6CM to a 1981 512 BB LM with a 1963 and 1972 312 PB in between! The event programme will also include the FIA Lurani Trophy, GP Masters, WSM Sportscars, GT and Sports Endurance Masters races as well as other competitions for 1970s prototypes and GTs. There will be celebrations too for the 40th Anniversary of one of the most important Prancing Horse models ever built, the 365 GTB4, which was universally dubbed the Daytona to commemorate Ferrari’s fantastic one-two-three finish in the 1967 edition of the eponymous 24 Hour Race. Around 20 365 GTB4s will be retracing the road route of the Circuito delle Tre Provincie, the last race in which Enzo Ferrari competed as a driver, before parading into the Scarperia circuit on the Sunday."





Rick and the Surtees in action at Mugello

17-20th April 2008	The GPE “Grande Passione” Festival Donington Park, Castle Donington, Derby, UK Opened in 1931, Donington Park is one of Britain's most popular racing circuits. It is the home of the British Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) and also plays host to rounds of the British Touring Car Championship, British Formula 3 Championship, British GT Championship, Le Mans Series, & British Superbike Championship.
"The Masters Racing Series presented the first major historic racing festival of the 2008 European season, 'Grande Passione' at Donington Park over the weekend of 19/20 April 2008. Building on the hugely successful inaugural event of 2007, the weekend featured races for some of the most evocative and valuable Grand Prix and sports cars from 50 years of motor racing history."

"Headline races included races for Formula 1 cars from the Historic Grand Prix Car Association and Grand Prix Masters, with cars spanning the early 1950s through to the late 1970s. In many cases, these are the actual cars raced by heroes like Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorn, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart and James Hunt.	Although many of these cars are rare, extremely valuable and irreplaceable, they are raced with passion and determination and three events for former Grand Prix cars will be at the heart of the weekend's racing."








Complete "Grand Passione" Photo Coverage at PhotosportUK 2008: http://www.photosportuk.com/photogalleries/events-2008/donington-park/2008-04-20-grand-passione/f1-grand-prix-masters/index.htm

Following Mugello & Donington in April, Rick was off to Monaco in May with both his Surtees and Hesketh for the Historic Grand Prix.

6th Monaco Historic Grand Prix 10-11 May 2008 (full report!) (This was Rick's second* Monaco Grand Prix Historique - first one here)*

After Monaco, Rick blasted off for Brescia, Italy, to do the Mille Miglia with brother Peter

	Mille Miglia, Brescia – Rome – Brescia, Italy Brescia, Italy 15 - 18 May 2008 "The Brescia-Rome itinerary and the return trip follows the original Mille Miglia route in a clockwise direction andg oes through many different parts of the country: Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia Romagna, Marche, Umbria and Lazio, on the outward journey with the addition of Tuscany on the return trip. The route also gives participants the chance to visit both the picturesque San Marino Republic and the main cities in the abovementioned areas - as well as Brescia and Rome, Verona, Ferrara, Ravenna, Urbino, Assisi, Spoleto, Terni - on the outward journey - and Viterbo, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Modena and Mantua on the return trip - as well as the “minor” towns, which, as far as the Mille Miglia is concerned, are just as important. Each road has its stories, history and traditions. In the last eighty years, the scenery along the route[s] has changed, just like the country. There is something, however, that we will do everything in our power to keep the same: the passion for the Freccia Rossa. The 2008 route has been devised with this in mind. Describing it in detail wouldn’t give you the right idea - you have to live it..." - http://www.1000miglia.eu/inglese/home.html Keith Bluemel writes: "If it’s May, and you’re a classic car enthusiast, then Italy is the place to be, or to be more specific, in Brescia, as it is once again time to follow the sign of the “Freccia Rossa” (Red Arrow), the symbol of the Mille Miglia classic car rally. Here, thousands of enthusiasts from all parts of the globe gather to admire the wonderful selection of machinery that makes up the entry list each year. There was a twist to the story this year, as the event had a new organising committee. Initially it seemed difficult to obtain information from them, but in true Italian fashion everything came together at the last minute, and from what could be seen they did a good organisational job."

"They stamped their own mark on the event, by moving the technical verification from the crowded confines of the city centre to the Fiera exhibition complex close to the Brescia West autostrade junction. This made access much easier for competitors, and they had secure parking in dedicated marquee areas within one of the halls. It also provided greater space for sponsors display and hospitality areas. So that the public weren’t denied the traditional close access to the cars, dedicated parking areas were provided around the city centre prior to the start, once again predominantly by marque, making it easier for enthusiasts to locate their favourite models. Whereas in the past many cars disappeared into garages after being scrutineered, this new format seemed to work and there seemed a greater number of cars on public view during the day. The entry list ran to 375 cars, with not only cars of the type that had competed in the original running, but a number of original runners within the list. This is a feature that new organisers want to try and increase in the coming years."
Peter & Rick Carlino begin their excellent (wet) adventure through Italy in Peter's lovely 1956 Osca Mt4
"The weather can frequently dampen spirits, [as above!] and once again the rain clouds gave the entrants and audience an unwelcome cold shower as the cars went over the starting ramp and into the evening gloom en route to the overnight halt at Ferrara. However, for most participants [excluding Rick & Peter!!] that was the last they saw of the rain which continued to fall over northern Italy, as the cars made their way south to Rome. The new organisers continued the tradition of the first car to cross the starting ramp being an OM 665 model of the type that won the first Mille Miglia in 1927, and in fact the first five starters were models of this type, followed by a diverse array of splendid examples of automotive history."
Rick gives the thumb's up and they're off! Complete (Spectacular) Photo Coverage: Supercars.net Mille Miglia Photo Gallery and http://www.1000miglia.eu/inglese/home.html

"On the return leg this year the route took a turn from its usual route along the Via Emilia through Modena, with a deviation to Maranello for the first time, and more specifically through the Ferrari factory premises. They entered through the new entrance next to the wind tunnel, and left through the original entry arch and gates on the Via Abetone opposite the Cavallino restaurant, where enormous crowds gathered to witness this historic happening. With such a vast selection of fine automobiles, it is difficult to single out favourites or cars of particular merit, there are just too many deserving examples. The pre-war Alfa Romeos and Bugattis could be admired for their elegance and finesse of line, the Mercedes and Bentleys of the same era for their imposing size, the raucous Porsche 550 A and RS models for their simplicity of line, the Ferraris and Maseratis are always very popular with the crowds, and they had a great selection to choose from. Then of course there is the opportunity to see little known mainly Fiat based Italian marques, that were successful and popular on home territory in the period, like Bandini, Ermini, Moretti, Siata, Sighinolfi and Stanguellini. The range of models was truly eclectic, and the atmosphere of the event is one to be savoured, come rain or shine!" - Keith Bluemel


After the Mille Miglia, Rick returned to the UK wondering if the weather would be any drier there....
24-26 May 2008 Brands Hatch Masters Festival	Brands Hatch Circuit Fawkham, Longfield, Kent, UK "One of the most iconic sporting venues in the world, Brands Hatch can lay claim to being the busiest race circuit in Europe. Having undergone a series of major improvements in recent years, the Kent circuit now attracts some of the biggest international events on the calendar, including World Superbikes, the World Touring Car Championship, DTM and the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport."

- photo by Martin Clark
"Running over the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend in May, the three-day festival of historic motor racing was a highlight event on the 2008 Brands Hatch calendar and was promoted alongside events like the World Touring Car Championship and A1 GP race weekends. The Masters Festival was, in fact, two events in one. On Saturday (24 May), competitors in the Top Hat Masters categories were in action on the famous Indy circuit. Then, on Sunday and Monday (25/26 May), the focus was on the mighty Grand Prix circuit with races for the full spectrum of Masters categories."

Brands Masters Historic Festival photo coverage here: http://www.snappyracers.com/album/Brands250508/index.html



"Headlining the racing were the Grand Prix Masters, which put 3-litre F1 cars of the 1970s back onto a track that witnessed some of the most famous Formula 1 races of the decade. The rare spectacle of period Grand Prix cars in action on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix track was an unforgettable experience for drivers and fans alike."




Unfortunately, the rain followed Rick to Brands....

....but it didn't stop him, his Surtees or his Chevron B36

Brands Masters Historic Festival photo coverage here: http://martinclark916.fotopic.net/p50771749.html



More Brands Masters Historic Festival photo coverage here: http://www.snappyracers.com/album/Brands250508/index.html

	Still in search of better weather, Rick decided to give Sweden a try ....
...and, much to his surprise, he found the sun in Anderstorp. In fact, there was a heat wave in Anderstorp. Happiness! 6-8 June 2008

"The Ronnie Peterson Historic Grand Prix at Anderstorp was a great success with a huge crowd joining royalty for the biggest motor racing event in the country for many years. King Carl Gustaf of Sweden presented trophies to the race winners and was joined by Ronnie Peterson´s daughter Nina and Ronnie´s brother Tommy. In gloriously sunny weather, with Sweden enjoying heat wave conditions, Stefan Johansson had busy days. Apart from winning the Grand Prix Masters races, he also demonstrated Ronnié Peterson´s beautifully restored Tecno Formula Three as well as a John Player Special Lotus 79 from Classic Team Lotus. Johansson was also contesting the Ferrari Challenge races. Masters Series Director Christopher Tate said:” A huge amount of work has gone into this weekend but competitors have been rewarded with wonderful weather and great racing and the fans have enjoyed a tremendous weekend which has really underlined the popularity of our racing.”
Davide on board in the garage





	Rick, hiding under the red & white umbrella at sunny Anderstorp, .





	Quite nice condtions really...

















Rick, flying in his Chevron B36, takes 2nd at the Ronnie Peterson Historic Grand Prix!

*Nice trophy -- way to go Rick!*







Photo coverage of Ronnie Peterson Historic Grand Prix: http://picasaweb.google.com/bytbil/RonniePetersonHistoricGrandPrix http://picasaweb.google.com/AIX3.14/RonniePetersonHistoricGrandPrix2008 http://picasaweb.google.com/Racetech.se/RonniePetersonHistoricalGP08 http://picasaweb.google.com/andersson.tobbe/RonniePetersonHistoricGrandPix

Now it's back to the UK for Rick, this time for the Silverstone Classic!


Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Towcester, Northhamptonshire, England

"One of the biggest entries of classic and historic racing cars ever witnessed will be a major feature of this year's Silverstone Classic on 25/26/27 July. Nearly 700 cars and 900 drivers will compete across the 21-race weekend on the Silverstone Historic Grand Prix circuit. The phenomenal response to the event is already breaking records, with half of the races heavily over-subscribed by the end May, two months ahead of the event. The final count is expected to be 675 entries, with capacity grids for nearly every race. Eight of the weekend's races offer the chance for two drivers to share cars, so the final count for drivers will be close to 900. In addition, the entry is proving to be truly international, with competitors from 20 countries, including most European countries as well as Australia, New Zealand, America, Japan and Brazil. In total, 130 Grand Prix cars will be in action, spanning six decades of the story of Grand Prix racing from the ERAs and Bugattis of the 1930s through to 1970s and 1980s Formula 1 cars from Ferrari, Lotus, Tyrrell and Williams. Such has been the demand for entries that race organisers are working through a selection process to determine the cars that will join the grid for those races. The Silverstone grid capacity is up to 48 cars for the longer races, but entries for races including World Sportscar Masters, Historic Formula Junior, HGPCA Pre '66 Grand Prix Cars, Top Hat Masters Saloons, Gentleman Drivers GT and Sports Endurance, Porsche and HSCC Historic Road Sports are already well over the grid limit. Incredibly, over 80 competitors have entered the Sir Stirling Moss Trophy race for Historic Road Sports. "We are thrilled with the response to this year's Silverstone Classic," said Roger Etcell of new event organisers Motion Works. ' It is going to be an amazing sight when all those cars are set up in their race paddocks, let alone racing on the full GP circuit.' " And it was!!


"Like so many of England's racing circuits, Silverstone started life as an aerodrome. When the Second World War ended in 1945, England's other two circuits, Donington Park and the legendary Brooklands, had fallen into disrepair. And so it was that the outer taxiways and interconnecting runways of Silverstone became adopted by the Royal Automobile Club as the home for the British Grand Prix in 1948. The circuit was fast and challenging and in 1949 the shape was formed that remains the basis of the track to this day."
















http://www.silverstoneclassic.com/

Well done Rick!! On to Monterey in the good ole USA!


*to Race Event Gallery*