Editor Chris Balfe remembers the 1971 Italian GP - Monza, 5 September 1971

Regular readers will be aware that I have enjoyed, an almost, life-long love affair with the Monza Autodrome.

I first visited the Autodrome in April 1972 for the 1000 Km when Jacky Ickx and Clay Regazzoni brought the all-conquering Ferrari 312P home first in pretty atrocious conditions. Several months later I returned for the Grand Prix only to learn that this legendary super-fast circuit had been 'butchered' courtesy of a pair of chicanes, one at Ascari the other at the end of the main straight on the approach to the Curva Grande.

Like the legendary Eau Rouge at Spa Francorchamps, Monza's Curva Grande was one of those corners that really sorted the men from the boys. However the early 70's had been a difficult time for motorsport with many drivers paying the ultimate price. Monza perhaps more than any other circuit has seen its share of tragedy and as lap speeds increased it was clear that something had to be done. It's ironic therefore that almost thirty years later the authorities still persist in opting for chicanes as the 'easy' solution, and as we've seen all too often, getting it wrong.

What attracted me to Monza in the first place you ask. Well, in all honesty I'd read about the many battles fought on this famous circuit, purpose built in a giant park just North of Milan. I'd seen the pictures of the 'Sharknose' on the banking, heard about the roar of the tifosi and ached to experience the passion.

When I finally got to visit this Mecca for motorsport fans I was not disappointed, other than for the chicanes. Without sounding melodramatic, Monza is filled with ghosts. You can walk away from the track and into the dense woodland and pretty soon all you can hear is birdsong. You follow a well worn track and come upon the legendary banking. Stand here for a few minutes and you'll swear that you can see Nuvolari, Varzi and Caracciola thundering towards you. Built in 1922, Monza along with Brooklands and Indianapolis is one of the earliest purpose built race tracks, all the legends have raced here! and many have died including Sivocci, Materassi, Campari, Ascari, Von Trips, Rindt and Peterson.