TRACKS: SAN PIERO A SIEVE, CIRCUITO DELLA FORTEZZA

Baldassini built and tested here an experimental prototype, with plastic bodywork and two-strokes engine, 100cc approx.
«Sangry-Là» tested before Christmas 1971 «Gipsy», prototype, built by Guidetti from Parma: it has a modified Fiat Dino engine (but further it could be replaced by a Cosworth), Colotti 5 speeds gearbox and a chassis type McLaren. Max power, approx 250 CV at 9000 rmp, total mass 450 kg.
Nanni Galli tested here Tecno F.1 in March 1972

Circuito della Fortezza
Description	Provate proving ground, built in 1971 by Lando Baldassini. Just after start line, there is a long uphill 'S', then a downhill 350 m long (approx.), a slight uphill, a fast right bend, uphill and than back to start/finish line. My map is drawn from an aerial photo and it doesn't fit very well with this description. However, it's a challenging circuit, built for learning fast driving (a school was scheduled, maybe managed by «Sangry-Là») and for having a proving gorund in that area. Besides, accelleration races, slaloms and chasing races were expected. With a car like Alfa Romeo 1750 GT, max speed should be 120-130 km/h (75-80 mph) Apart from tested listed below, I have no more info and I don't know how long the circuit has been used.<br /> <br /> <br /> I know only the following tests: Baldassini built and tested here an experimental prototype, with plastic bodywork and two-strokes engine, 100cc approx. «Sangry-Là» tested before Christmas 1971 «Gipsy», prototype, built by Guidetti from Parma: it has a modified Fiat Dino engine (but further it could be replaced by a Cosworth), Colotti 5 speeds gearbox and a chassis type McLaren. Max power, approx 250 CV at 9000 rmp, total mass 450 kg. Nanni Galli tested here Tecno F.1 in March 1972
Years	1971÷1972
Direction
Proposal	NO
No longer operational	YES
Car Circuit	YES
Motorbike circuit	YES
Type	Permanent
Inauguration
Closing
Last update of this page	April 4^th 2006
Info last update
Designer
Distinctive points
length (approx)	1000 m	3281 ft	0.621 mi
Min width	9 m	30 ft
Min width	12 m	39 ft

Circuito della Fortezza
Description	After a very promising beginning of 1972, also thanks to Tecno F.1 test, silence came back on the circuit. The only exception is the beginning of extension of the track up to 3090 m, then all activity stopped again. The reason is the competition of the rising Autodromo del Mugello (in that period still under construction), that withdrew the attention from this track. Baldassini thought to specialize his circuit for motorbikes: it would have had all requirements for being approved as international circuit (i.e. it's longer than 3 km - 1.865 mi). At beginning of 1973 allocation should have been discussed and fund would have been used for asphalt the new section and for building all facilities. In June 1973 a motorbike national race was scheduled. Once all works were finished, the circuit should have been used also for more categories, as for examples Super Kart. I don't know if these works have ever been done, but looking at aerial photos I don't think so.
Years	1973
Direction
Proposal	NO
No longer operational	YES
Car Circuit	YES
Motorbike circuit	YES
Type	Permanent
Inauguration
Closing
Last update of this page	October 21^st 2005
Info last update	February 1973
Designer
Distinctive points
length	3090 m	10138 ft	1.92 mi	(7)

Updates
Date	Track layout	Years	Description by	Map by	Thanks to	Note
November 26^th 2005			Guido de Carli			Update	Description
October 21^st 2005			Guido de Carli			Update	Description
August 18^th 2005			Guido de Carli			Update	Description
March 6^th 2005			Guido de Carli			Update	Description
February 23^rd 2005			Guido de Carli	Guido de Carli	Fr@nk	New	Description with map
Not all eventual updates issued in last years are already visible in this list