Home > San Marino Grand Prix

The area around Imola is home to several racing car manufacturers - namely Ferrari, Lamborghini and MaseratiSee also: Mazarati, a 1980s band. Maserati is a famous Italian manufacturer of racing- and sports cars, established in 1914 in Bologna. The company's headquarters are now in Modena, and their emblem is a trident. The company was founded by Alfieri Maserat. Following the Second World War, the town launched a program to try to improve the local economy. Four local motor racing enthusiasts proposed the construction of a new road linking existing public roads, which could be used by the local car manufacturers to test their prototypes. Construction began in MarchFor alternative meanings, see March (disambiguation). March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 31 days. Named for Mars, the Roman god of war. In ancient Rome, March was called Martius. It was named after the war god ( Mars) and 1950Events January January 5 US Senator Estes Kefauver introduces a resolution calling for examination of organized crime in the USA January 6 The United Kingdom recognizes the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China severs diplomatic relations with. The first test run took place two years later when Enzo Ferrari sent a car to the track.

In April 1953, the first motorcycle races took place at Imola, and the first car race took place in June 1954. In April 1963, the first race with Formula One cars took place at Imola, as a non-championship event, won by Jim Clark for Lotus. A further non-championship event took place at Imola in 1979, which was won by Niki Lauda for Brabham- Alfa Romeo.

In 1980, the Italian Grand Prix was hosted at Imola, when the old track at Monza had fallen out of favour. It was won by Nelson Piquet for Brabham- Cosworth. The following year, the Italian Grand Prix was returned to Monza, and Imola was launched as the San Marino Grand Prix, named after the nearby republic of San Marino.

In 1994, there were two serious accidents at Imola, with the death of Roland Ratzenberger in a qualifying race, and the death of Ayrton Senna during the race itself at the sharp Tamburello Corner. As a result, for the 1995 race, Tamburello Corner was turned into a chicane. It also led to many changes being made to other circuits, and the sport as a whole, in an attempt to make it safer.

In recent years, constructors have complained about the poor quality of the facilities at Imola, and talk of dropping the San Marino Grand Prix from the Formula One championship continues, especially since there is another grand prix being held in Italy anyway. However, the San Marino Grand Prix looks safe for the time being, having been given a space on the provisional 2005 Formula One calendar.