© Anthony Alessio Tralongo, 2021. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
© Anthony Alessio Tralongo, 2021. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 (SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)
The Italian forgotten circuit; Autodromo di Morano sul Po…
It holds unique place in Italian motorsport history.
It was opened in 1973, the circuit was built to bring competitive racing closer to northern Italy’s industrial heartland.
Its design attracted national level events like Formula 3 and Touring cars competition.
For a brief period, it promised to become a prominent fixture in the country’s racing calendar.
What happened to Autodromo di Morano sul Po?
By the mid-1970s, the excitement of roaring engines and fast clashed with the tranquility of nearby communities.
Residents began to complain about the noise generated by the circuit.
Legal disputes soon followed, forcing the track’s operators to reduce racing activities and by the end of 1976 the Autodromo di Morano sul Po was officially closed.
In an unusual move to prevent unauthorized racing, around 500 meters of circuit were deliberately destroyed with heavy machinery in August 1977.
Sadly; this act effectively sealed the track’s fate and began decades of abandonment.
Decades of Disuse and Urban Exploration
For decades, the circuit lay dormant, nature slowly reclaimed Autodromo di Morano sul Po; the asphalt as weeds and vegetation grew over the once-pristine track.
Motorsport enthusiasts and urban explorers found a quiet fascination in the abandoned facility.
Although it no longer hosted any competitive events, the remains of the circuit served as living memory of Italy’s regional racing history, quietly whispering the stories of engines, drivers and race weekends long past.
But people; still go and visit the place, there are plenty of videos on youtube, even from drone and inside the track videos.
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Current Status and Future Use
However, slowly, but good news came in 2022, the circuit is fully operational but no longer open to public racing events, but this historic place, should be saved so the people can visit and think of the past.
DIMSPORT; Autodromo di Morano sul Po
The Italian company DIMsport acquired the site of the circuit in 2022; Dimsport, which specializes in automotive performance tuning and testing equipment, bought the abandoned track – Autodromo di Morano sul Po.
Slowy they have restored the track and added modern facilities and it now functions as a close and private testing ground. The circuit will never host any public racing event, so far there are no more informations.
The repairs were completed quickly and the track has since been used; product development and even filming scenes for the Michael Mann movie Ferrari.
While the circuit has been restored and modernized, its rebirth is a story of preservation and adaption, honoring the original track while serving modern automotive needs.
The Autodromo di Morano sul Po may no longer echo with the cheers of race fans but its asphalt still sees the roar of engines, not in competition but in pursuit of performance and the enduring legacy of Italian motorsport.
*Disclaimer: This video is embedded from YouTube and all rights belong to the original creator.*
