ISSUE OF THE TRACK BANKED BENDS

The story

 

In 1955 it is decided to build a high speed sector called “banked track” or “high speed ring”.  It is to be added to the road track in order to reach a 10 km track suitable to “ new needs of games and record attempts” (out of 70 legendary years, 1992, published by SIAS, the Italian Automobile Association managing the track).

 

The concrete ring is 4.25 km long and includes two wide banked bends  within a 3.20 m radius, having a progressive banking grade up to 80 pct on top, calculated for a theoretical max speed of 285 km/h approx.

 

The financial side of the project was faced by Milan and Monza Cities – owners of the area – and by Milan Province, borrowing  206,000.00 Eur from Cassa di Rispamio delle Provincie Lombarde. The capital share charged to Monza was Eur 3,443.00 for 20 years, namely 1/3 of the principal. On this occasion, SIAS started a habit that has been lasting up to date: namely progressively widen the leased area, thus involving Milan and Monza in the fees supported for amendment and implementation activities, the profits of which then would solely stay with SIAS.  Due to reiterated failure in paying the agreed lease price, SIAS was repeatedly charged with contractual defaults. Morever, it was condemned by the Courts for building unauthorized premises, hence missing the appropriate authorities by Superintendency and City Building Office.

 

 As a consequence of this new premise,  the area leasd to the racing track increased from 145 to 196 acres, there including two areas named Gerascia and Roccolo, that were  very important from a naturalistic and strategic viewpoint. The banked bends are cutting the overall view designed by architect Luigi Canonica, who planned the Park final setup between 1805 and 1808, thus further affecting the original design, the Rondo’ della Stella in particular. The works to build the ring caused the neighbouring ground to deteriorate. The speed ring also destroyed the testing english and red oak particles set to measure these species’ profitability to produce timber.  The years after and  up to date, these wide grounds were largely used as parking areas and helicopter station during the Grand Prix.

 

The speed ring was very little used: from 1955, year of building, up to 1961, when it was finally left, it was used only for  1955, 1956, 1960 and 1961 Grand Prix. While in 1957 and 1958 it was used for Monza 500 Mile Race, a game for Indy Formula cars representing the failed attempt to bring the american cars to the town racing track. Since the beginning the banked bends appeared to be technologically unsuited;  being based on english technology – rear engine, light chassis – european F1 cars could not face the extremely stressing centrifugal force of the speed ring. They really runned the risk to fly out of the track.  Due to the concrete pavement, also the stronger and heavier american cars had many problems to suspensions and tires.

 

1957 Grand Prix was “ almost disregarded by the european and national industry” (from the mentioned 1992 pamphlet) and for the two subsequent years the Grand Prix took place on the road track only, avoiding the speed ring.  The latter was re-established in

1960, rising the complaints of the English manufacturers, namely those leading the F1 technology, who did not attend the game.

“  The tragic 1961 Italy Grand Prix was played on the entire 10 kms track and was marred by the fatal accident costing the life of Ferrari pilot Von Tripps  together with eleven spectators (then  15). The accident brought to the end the banked track use for Grand Prix cars. (from the a/m pamphlet)

 

The speed ring was used again only twice, in 1965 and in 1969, for the 1000 km, a game devoted to sport, prototype and touring cars.

In summary, far from being in the van of car technological tests, the banked bends turned out to be, since the beginning, a technological monster. The banked bends were unfeasible, disregarded by the most advances builders, and criticized by the Americans as well, although they intended to emulate the American tracks like Daytona and Indianapolis.

 

Better to say that an important area of the Park was destroyed and  cemented for NOTHING, not to talk about the fees supported by Cities and Province.

 

At present, the banked bends are highly deteriorated and dangerous for those walking or passing nearby. In fact, a survey aimed at its demolition, dtd  Sept. 16, 1993, required  by a former Park  councillor, reads : “the captioned banked bends frame is very  badly kept , some slabs are so damaged that they cannot bear any charge, whilst truss and pillars show deeply eaten  iron frame. As time goes by and mainly in Winter with  snow or ice,  this situation is worsening the frame itself causing serious danger to people or vehicles passing nearby”.

 

 

 

2. State of the art from a legal and administrative viewpoint.

 

Apart from maintaining a  “sample section for history purposes only” , the demolition is foreseen by:

 

-         Art.  4 point F of the lease agreement renewed by Monza (Feb 17, 97) and Milan (July 27, 98) Cities, envisaging demolition and waste discharge to be financially supported by SIAS.  Since the cost was estimated in Eur 1,033,000.00 in 1993 – see mentioned report – yet never  supported, the lease has been  reduced until this year, when it increased to Eur 465,000.00/yr. Namely little more than Eur 2,5/sqm for a historic Park of  European interest! In other words, although low, the lease price was deemed appropriate by  Lombardy Administrative Courts in view of the fact that SIAS committed to pull the two banked bends down. Pls see the report dtd June 20, 96 by the Park Committee entrusted by Monza City  to analyze the issue of the racing track lease renewal. As a matter of fact former report as well envisaged to pull the two banked bends down, yet this clause has been disregarded all the time;

-         Monza Royal Park three-year Implementation Plan, as deliberated by  Lombardy Regional Council on Dec. 24, 96 (page 15 and reiterated on page 24 of B.U.R.L dtd March 28, 97);

-         Monza Town Planning Scheme of July 3, 97 (page 46).

 

In spite of the three a/m administrative levels stressing for sure to pull the banked bends down, nothing has been done so far.

In view of the above, on Nov. 10, 98, a group of associations, namely  "Comitato per il Parco A. Cederna”, regional WWF, regional "Legambiente" and "Comitato Antirumore di Biassono"  gave official notice to Monza and Milan Mayors  so that they request SIAS to pull the bends down.

Since their notice is still unanswered they decided to inform against Monza and Milan Mayors for default.

 

A service conference about the banked bends fate had been called by mid-June 1998, but it never took place (see Corriere della Sera dtd May 29,98 page 31).

  

 

3. Those opposing demolition

 

Each time the banked bends demolition is considered, reasons for the contrary are risen. These reasons can affect the public opinion based on five topics:

 

1.      “ the old track is a feeling for thousands of supporters, it is Monza history, it is a sports and industrial monument”. Out of a press release by Monza Mayor, Roberto Colombo, dtd Oct 9, 98.

2.      the Eur 7,746,850  demolition fee could be better utilized, maybe for the Park itself;

3.      a speed museum like Indianapolis’ could be established. This idea was supported by Lombardy Regional Chairman, Mr. Giancarlo Morandi, who is a member of Forza Italia party , and also by all Monza and Milan local administrators belonging to Forza Italia and AN parties.  The speed ring could house Alfa Romeo historic museum of Arese,  presently standing  on 4.800 sqm and keeping over 100 cars and 22 engines, besides 11 “dream cars” (Il Cittadino dtd July 9, 98);

4.      “ pull the banked bends down means attacking the track overall and its implementation”. This sentence by Mr. Roberto Radice is stressed by his “personal involvement in defending Monza track and its development and implementation challenge.  I am of the opinion that such a premise is fundamental to Monza history. This estate is to be protected and (…..) must be integral, witnessing the technical implementation capabilities and the sports values”  (out of a letter sent to the local press Il Cittadino, dtd Nov 12,98);

5.      The bends have been used up to 1973 for car and motor-bike speed records.  At present is is still used for Monza Rally, safe car school, car and motor bike type approvals by Traffic Control Authority and tire testing.

 

 

Among those opposing demolition there are:

 

-         Lombardy Region Chairman Mr. Roberto Formigoni, Lombardy Regional Council Mr. Giancarlo Morandi, Monza and Milan Mayors, local administrators and Milan Council. On Oct. 1, 98, based on advice by former Council Chairman Mr. Massimo de Carolis, they voted an amendment committing Milan administration to “ avoid any action leading SIAS to fully or partly pull the speed ring down, being fundamental to the racing track  reputation and utilization chances.”;

-         Mr. Chris Balfe organizing an international signature collection on Internet (site: http//wkweb5.cableinet.c.uk/ferrari/monza camp.htm);

-         Pilots Alesi, Hakkinen, Villeneuve who periodically apply on the press to save the banked bends based on the same a/m topics;

-         Some national press like Repubblica “Venerdi” reporting an article by Vincenzo Borgomeo, on April 17,98. This article is containing some mistakes, like the statement that “ the City intends to pull the parabolic bend down “. As everybody knows the parabolic bend is another matter being part of the road track, being regularly used in games and being loved by supporters. Such an erroneous  statement may excite people.

 

   

4. Those supporting demolition

 

Pull the banked bends down has been recognized as valid from an administrative viewpoint since a longtime now. In fact, it has already been included in the clauses of previous lease agreement.

 

The reasons supporting this request are:

 

1)      the unquestionable historic events of the speed ring show that, far from being an advanced technology example, the ring was a technological monster. In fact, it has been disregarded by the advanced car manufacturers.  There are no reasons to make it a monument, unless it is a monument to lack of project skill along with public money waste. The speed records – discontinued in 1973 – or the possible present activities, if any, are not sufficient to justify its maintenance;
 

2)      the speed ring building involved more ground that was cemented – 60 acres approx. Pulling it down would mean recover this ground for public use, that is certainly a more useful and proper utilization than the present. Such recovery would enable the actions envisaged by Monza Town Planning Scheme and by the Park three- year Implementation Plan, as stated by Region along with Monza and Milan Cities, Valle del Lambro Park and Superintendency to Monuments and Properties;
 

3)      demolition fees have been estimated by SIAS in 1-1.3 million Eur max. (Corriere della Sera dtd May 29, 98) and not in almost 8 million Eur as declared by those opposing the demolition, lacking any real and public forecast.  Such figure appears to be increased on purpose to trick people with money saving devoted to the Park.  The story of the relationships with the Racing Track Company points out that SIAS would spend this money to improve its premises, rather than to restore the Park damages, as already happened on past occasions.  In other words, it is likely sure that money saved would be re-employed to restore the speed ring;
 

4)      The supporters statements are envisaging to re-built the speed ring for american formulas like Indy or Daytona, to re-propose the past failure.  This is more likely than a speed museum that already exists and would make no sense in a premise showing Monza track failure;

 

5)      This argument is supported by two simple additional considerations. Firstly, the verifyed ring deterioration would need such expensive interventions to make a different employment unworthy. Secondly, the recent rumours of a possible speed ring portion asphalting  may lead to its forthcoming revival;

 

6)      From a historic viewpoint the real Monza track has always been road, and not speed. In addition, the supporters’ interest is presently focused on driving  capabilities  on miscellaneous tracks rather than on pure speed. Speed has in fact been gradually lowered or reduced through chicanes, as an example. People’s  interest in Indy formula is lower than road track F1’s;

 

7)      The lease renewal fee was limited to 465,000.00 Eur only, as the demolition fee chargeable to SIAS was taken into consideration;

 

8)      The subsequent Milan City  deliberation, opposing the commitment undertaken by Milan and Monza Cities and by the company managing the track with the grant confirmation, is not sufficient to amend it. The local administrators signed an agreement ordering to pull the banked bends down while at the same time they are supporting the maintenance of the ring speed.  Such an attitude is lacking any reliability in relation to adminisrative actions failure. How can we trust the agreement signers when we know that they would  avoid to apply the agreement clauses ?  Such a behaviour is indeed favouring SIAS, that can feel safe behind the administrators, releasing reassuring statements to pull the bends down, only upon specific request.

 

Based on the above, we must point out that the demolition supporters
can be divided in two sides:

 

From one side, the real demolition supporters: namely, former Superintendent Mrs. Lucia Gremmo, town planner Sig. Leonardo Benevolo, PIM researcher Sig. Carlo Lissoni, the opposing party region and city councillors, besides a wide range of citizens members of committees and environmental associations.

 

From the other side, it is worth including also:

t Lombardy Region, deliberating a three-year Implementation Plan for Monza Park providing for the banked bends demolition;

- Monza City Council adopting a town planning providing for the banked bends  
  demolition;

- Monza and Milan City Councils ratifying a grant agreement committing the grantee to pull

  the banked bends down at its own charge;

- SIAS, signing the agreement and committing to pull the banked bends down at their own
   charge.

 

Lambro Valley Park, there including Monza Park, has not yet taken any positions on such an important topic.

 

The only proper use of the banked bends is to exercise Town Tools, Administrative Deliberations and Surveys aimed at restoring an international rank to Park, Villa and Royal Garden ensemble. The banked bends are to be pulled down shortly – except for a sample section for historic purposes, witnessing a technological failure – and the 60 acres presently occupied by SIAS are to be restored to People.

  

 

Briefing and documentation by

Comitato per il Parco (Park Association)  A. Cederna

Tel 39 039 382147