By Régis Ghibaudo | Photography: Shift-R Media Lab
Imola, Italy | 16–18 October 2026
There are racing circuits that impress with their modern facilities, and others that captivate through their history, atmosphere and character. The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola undoubtedly belongs to the latter category.
From 16 to 18 October, the historic Italian circuit welcomed Imola Classic 2026, organised by Peter Auto, bringing together more than 200 historic racing cars for the final round of the Le Mans Classic Series season.
From 1950s sports cars to Group C prototypes and GT1 machines of the 2000s, the event celebrated more than half a century of motorsport history at a venue where the past feels remarkably present.
Imola: A Circuit Like No Other
What makes Imola so special is not simply the layout of its circuit, but the extraordinary setting in which it exists.
Located within the historic town of Imola, in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, the track runs alongside the Santerno River, surrounded by greenery and the gentle hills of the Italian countryside.
Just a short distance away, the old town reveals centuries of history through its medieval streets, Renaissance palaces and the imposing Rocca Sforzesca fortress, whose origins date back to the 13th century.
The city's historical significance is such that Leonardo da Vinci himself produced a detailed map of Imola in 1502.
This remarkable architectural and cultural heritage provides a fitting backdrop for an event dedicated to preserving the history of motor racing.
But the circuit itself carries an equally powerful legacy.
Inaugurated in 1953, Imola has welcomed legends such as Jim Clark, Niki Lauda, Gilles Villeneuve, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna.
The name of Gilles Villeneuve remains closely associated with the circuit, particularly through his famous and controversial battle with Ferrari teammate Didier Pironi during the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix.
Above all, Imola will forever be linked to Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, who tragically lost their lives during the 1994 Formula One weekend.
Their memory remains an inseparable part of the circuit's identity, giving this legendary venue an emotional significance that extends far beyond motorsport.
For a historic racing event, it is difficult to imagine a more appropriate setting.
Following WG British Racing Behind the Scenes
For this edition of Imola Classic, I had the opportunity to follow WG British Racing, a team involved with five historic racing cars across four different categories.
The team's impressive line-up included three Lola prototypes, an MG and a Ford Capri, providing a fascinating overview of racing machinery from the late 1950s to the mid-1970s.
In Classic Endurance Racing 1, the team was represented by two remarkable Lola prototypes.
The first was the #160 Lola T70 Mk.3B GT, a magnificent 1969 machine driven by Jean-François Besson and Guillaume Gagnard. With its wide bodywork, imposing rear end and unmistakable silhouette, the T70 remains one of the most charismatic sports prototypes of its era.
Alongside it was Patrick Soury's #34 Lola T212 from 1971, a smaller and lighter prototype that perfectly illustrated a different approach to endurance racing.
The team also fielded the #12 Lola T282 from 1973, driven by Stéphane Nguyen in Classic Endurance Racing 2, extending its representation into the next generation of endurance prototypes.
Two touring and GT cars completed the team's presence: the elegant #95 MG A 1600 Coupé from 1959, shared by Simon Nobili and Sébastien Ruffino in the Gentlemen Challenge, and the #16 Ford Capri RS 2600 LW from 1975, driven by Jean-François Besson in Heritage Touring Cup 1.
Following such a varied collection of cars offered a unique perspective on the technical evolution of motorsport.
Beyond the spectacular machines on track, the paddock revealed the constant mechanical work, preparation and dedication required to keep these historic racing cars competing decades after they were originally built.
Watching the mechanics at work, discovering the details of the cars and experiencing the atmosphere inside the team's paddock were among the most memorable aspects of the weekend.
An Extraordinary Collection of Racing Legends
Across the different grids, Imola Classic offered an impressive journey through motorsport history.
Classic Endurance Racing 1 featured some of the most iconic sports cars ever built, including the legendary Porsche 917 K, Porsche 908/03, Ford GT40 and numerous Lola T70s.
The Gentlemen Challenge brought together another remarkable selection of historic machinery, notably a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, a Jaguar D-Type, a Bizzarrini 5300 GT and several Lister Jaguars.
The Group C Racing field recreated the atmosphere of endurance racing's golden era, with the Jaguar XJR-9, Porsche 962 C and Nissan R90 prototypes taking to the circuit.
Meanwhile, Endurance Racing Legends 1 featured three Maserati MC12 GT1s, alongside an Aston Martin DBR9, a Pescarolo C60 and a Panoz LMP-1 Roadster S.
The touring car categories provided an entirely different spectacle, from the BMW 3.0 CSL and Ford Capri RS of the 1970s to the Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R and BMW M3 E30 of the Group A era.
Few events offer such a remarkable diversity of racing machinery in one place.
Famous Names Join the Historic Racing Grids
Beyond the exceptional cars, Imola Classic also attracted several well-known names from international motorsport.
One of the most notable entries was Thierry Neuville, the 2024 World Rally Champion, who joined the Heritage Touring Cup 2 grid behind the wheel of a 1987 BMW M3 E30.
For the Belgian driver, more accustomed to the demanding stages of the World Rally Championship, historic circuit racing offered a very different challenge.
Another prominent participant was Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, entered in Group C Racing with a 1989 Jaguar XJR-9 alongside Richard Dean, as well as in Endurance Racing Legends 2 with a Ferrari F430 GTC Evo.
Former Formula One driver Jan Magnussen also featured on the entry lists, competing with Lola machinery in both Classic Endurance Racing 1 and Classic Endurance Racing 2.
Touring car specialists Steve Soper and Rob Huff, the 2012 World Touring Car Champion, added further experience to the grids.
Their presence highlighted the appeal of historic racing, bringing together passionate amateur competitors, experienced professionals and internationally recognised motorsport personalities.
More Than Just Racing
One of the greatest pleasures of attending Imola Classic is discovering that the event extends far beyond the action on the circuit.
The paddocks provide an opportunity to appreciate these historic machines up close, while the presence of drivers, engineers, mechanics and passionate owners creates an atmosphere that feels very different from modern professional motorsport.
From a photographer's perspective, these moments are just as important as the racing itself.
One particularly spectacular sight was Stefan Mücke's #41 Ford Capri Turbo from 1981. With its extreme Group 5 bodywork, aggressive aerodynamic features and dramatic bursts of flame from its exhaust, the Capri provided some unforgettable photographic opportunities.
But a mechanic working beneath a car, a driver preparing for a session or an unexpected moment of celebration can tell a story that no photograph of a car at full speed can capture on its own.
And when the racing ends, the podium celebrations remind everyone that these historic machines are not simply museum pieces.
They remain competition cars, driven with determination and maintained with extraordinary dedication.
A Living Tribute to Motorsport History
Imola Classic represents everything that makes historic motorsport so special.
The cars are extraordinary, but their true value comes from seeing them doing what they were originally designed to do: race.
There is something genuinely moving about watching a Porsche 917, a Lola T70 or a Group C prototype take to a circuit where so many legends of the sport once competed.
Combined with the beauty of Imola, its rich cultural heritage and the emotional history of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the event offers an experience that goes far beyond a traditional race meeting.
Imola Classic is not simply a celebration of the past.
It is proof that motorsport history remains very much alive.
Images Courtesy of Regis Ghibaudo
