Emilia Romagna’s ‘Motor Valley‘ is coming alive this spring with the host of three major motor events: Formula 1 this month and MotoGP and Motor Valley Fest in May. With direct flights from the UK, motor fans looking for an adrenaline break this spring should look no further than Emilia Romagna.
The northern Italian region has been long regarded as the ‘Motor Valley’ due to its significant contribution to Italy’s motor industry. In addition to being home of celebrated brands – including Ferrari, Maserati, Ducati, Pagani, Dallara, Energica and Lamborghini; Emilia Romagna has a wealth of events and attractions making it a must-visit destination for motoring fans, from international motor tracks and circuits, to a number of private collections of vintage cars and motorcycles.
The below are the three events that motor fans should not miss this spring:
Formula 1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2022
Bologna, 22-24 April 2022
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is one of the newest names on the Formula 1 calendar – this year’s edition will be the third under that name. However, the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit (better known as Imola), where the race takes place, is quite a historic one, having hosted Formula 1 races since 1980. Actually, Enzo Ferrari first came into contact with Imola on a visit back in 1948. After an initial assessment, he knew the hilly environment would create a ‘selective path for cars’ in the future. The Imola circuit also has a subtle difference that marks it out from the rest of the F1 circuits, as it is one of the only tracks on the 2022 calendar that runs anti-clockwise. In the down time, between qualifying and the race itself, visitors can also check out the world-famous Maranello Ferrari Museum, where they can learn all about the history of the Prancing Horse, its legendary models, and relive Ferrari’s famous F1 victories.
https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2022/EmiliaRomagna.html
MotoGP – Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini
Misano (Rimini), 2-4 May 2022
Explore a whole event dedicated to the motor biking realm during the first week of May. The first Grand Prix event to take place at Misano was in 1980 and the venue has become a permanent fixture on the MotoGP calendar since 2007, after it was completely revised and remodelled. This area of Emilia Romagna has produced some great riders such as the late Marco Simoncelli, Valentino Rossi, Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Melandri who all grew up in the region as well. Additionally, the nearby Riviera Di Rimini in Emilia-Romagna region is a big draw for Italian holiday-makers, and those visiting from abroad, offering the option to spend time on the beach.
https://www.motogp.com/en/event/San-Marino
Motor Valley Fest
Modena, 26-29 May 2022
After a hybrid version last year, the Motor Valley Fest, is returning this May with a four-day event displaying the most beautiful cars of the past, present and future. Hosted in the UNESCO-listed city of Modena, this year’s edition (the fourth) will feature racing demonstrations and track tests (both classic and motorsports), promoting the best of Made in Italy. Visitors will also be lucky enough to enjoy the supercar and hypercar displays, as well as the opportunity to test drive some of the region’s most iconic cars, such as a Ferrari or Maserati.
https://motorvalley.it/en/category/motor-valley-fest-en/
Off the tracks, motor fans can make the most of their cars and the region by taking a road trip along the thousand-year-old Roman road, the Via Emilia – which gives name to Emilia Romagna. The Via Emilia covers 165 miles from Piacenza (west) to Rimini (east), on the Adriatic coast, and is known as one of the most stunning roads in the world. This trip will allow visitors to discover distinctive spots within the region of Italy, including the ‘big three’: Parma, Modena and Bologna.
Along the Via Emilia, motor fans will be able to taste some of Emilia Romagna’s delights, including Parma ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to the traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena and the fizzy Lambrusco – only when not driving.
For further information on Emilia Romagna, visit www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en