Noise threat jeopardises Monza Historics

The Coppa Inter Europa historic festival is one of the major casualties of the drastic noise restrictions recently imposed on the Monza circuit after a protracted legal battle. The 2006 event, scheduled for May 13-14, has been axed and the future of historic racing at the famous Italian track is now in doubt.

The number of noisy days permitted at the parkland circuit has been severely reduced and priority has gone to major commercial events like the Italian Grand Prix and Superbikes. The Coppa Inter Europa is one of several meetings that have been cancelled.

Most notable of the historic race series affected by the news are Thoroughbred GP and Group C/GTP. The TGP organisers have pulled off a coup by arranging a replacement date as a support to the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona on May 12-13. A Saturday afternoon race is thought likely. “This is great news for TGP,” said series organiser Oli McCrudden. “When the Monza race was cancelled we knew that we had to find a replacement event of a suitable calibre and identified the Spanish GP as the ideal option.”

The Group C/GTP season, meanwhile, will now start at Brands Hatch on June 3-4 and a Monza replacement race in late August is currently being negotiated.