The famous Monza banking is not to be bulldozed or even just preserved. Under a new, 19-year agreement between the local city council and SIAS, the company that manages sporting events at the historic circuit, the elevated sections of the autodrome must be rebuilt within 5 years. This follows decades of controversy over whether or not these high-pitched sentinels of motor racing history should be destroyed or left standing.
It is all part of a new deal between the Monza municipality and SIAS that came into effect at this heart of Italian motor racing from January 1, 2008. The accord extends for almost two decades, during which SIAS must pay the local authorities an annual €800,000 (approx. US$1,400,000) for the circuit concession and rebuild the banking at its expense within five years of the pre-Christmas 2007 concord having been signed. From 2016, SIAS must also pay the Monza council 2% of ticket revenues, which will add about another €250,000 (approximately US$437,500) to the local authority’s coffers. The Monza council itself also has the right to use the installation for five days of the year.
According to Pierfranco Maffè, the councillor with responsibility for Monza Park, of which the autodrome is a part, the junta has concluded an accord that recognizes the circuit and its facilities as part of the patrimony of the city.
Claudio Viganò, president of SIAS, believes the two parties have been able to reach a just agreement and points out that his organization will also allow the facility to be used for collateral events, such as the establishment of a safe-driving school. However, the deal has been criticized by the area’s environmentalists.
By Robert Newman
