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Event Information
Mugello Circuit
Track races
Length: 5.245 km
Year of creation: 1914
Number of turns: 15
Previous editions: 2022 -
Mugello Classic
Whether at Imola, Monza, Vallelunga or Mugello, every season of historic races by Peter Auto includes an event in Italy, the cradle of the most beautiful and prestigious sports cars. This year is no exception to the tradition!
Racing in Italy always provides a special emotion. Homeland of the best sports brands – Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia, Maserati … – authentic automobile jewel in the collective imagination. Earth of anthology circuits, Imola, Monza, Mugello, Pescara, Vallelunga … – arenas of the finest mechanical games. Italy is also the home of the tifosi, the unconditional supporters of the Scuderia Ferrari.
And finally the proximity of Florence adds an additional touch of charm to this event giving it a touristic and cultural dimension that encourages competitors to bring along their families.
Event Report
Mugello Classic saw the first round of the 2023 Peter Auto Group C championship. The grid was made up of a strong selection of iconic Group C racers from the likes of Porsche, Jaguar, Nissan, Spice and more. Amongst the entrants was our much loved ex-collection 962-201 or ‘Pinky’ as it’s known. Although this car is no longer a part of the collection, it has gone to a great home and we will be following the progress throughout the whole Peter Auto Group C season.
The Mugello weekend effectively acted as a shakedown for Pinky, having not raced competitively since winning the championship in 2008.
Nigel Medcalf and his team at Moto Historics ran both our Cabin 962 and Silk Cut Jaguar XJR 8 at the races and a number of events last year for us, and continue to run Philip and Pinky, with plans to further develop through the year as part of a more serious campaign than when in our ownership.
The first qualifying session put Pinky in 5th in class, very impressive for the Philip's first time driving in a competitive session in a Group C car especially after just a few acclimatisation laps in a recent test. Throughout the weekend the car only got faster, for the second qualifying session over 3 seconds was taken off of his best lap time in the first session!
The first race saw Pinky start on the third row of the grid but a hectic start saw the car take a trip across the gravel whilst narrowly avoiding a spinning car. The time lost meant that the car crossed the line in 6th place in class.
For the second race the car started from the same grid position however a forced spin during an attempted overtake sent Pinky down the order to last position in class. Maybe spurred on by the spin, the following laps were Pinky’s fastest race laps of the whole weekend, the catch-up game was well and truly on. Although managing an alternator issue, the pace was good and the car crossed the line in 4th place overall and a class podium!
Well done to the whole team, it’s amazing to see Pinky back on the podium. We’re super excited to see Pinky racing again and look forward to watching the team progress throughout the season. Bring on Spa!