Wishing you Happy Holidays, a Prosperous 2025 driven from some inspiring thinking…

Powerful inspiring reading during the holidays… this must read

Cesare Fiorio ‘s biography by his son Cristiano Fiorio . These are the kind of timeless books on motorsport which life lessons are concrete and practical well beyond Motorsport itself from knowledge transfer technical and managerial perspectives…

 

Happy Holidays everyone from Cortina D’Ampezzo ! This is the time for family, a consistent reference throughout the year, no matter how busy we are or where we travel!

The Automotive Women Association fund-raising dinner

Accelerating inclusiveness: Women in Automotive and Motorsport
On November 28th, at the Autopromotec headquarters, a special self-financing dinner organized by AWA was held, an extraordinary moment dedicated to supporting professional paths for women in the automotive and motorsport sectors.

Thanks to the participation of many supporters, we have taken an important step towards a great goal: breaking down gender barriers in a constantly evolving sector. During the evening, we shared important stories, illustrated the opportunities that AWA offers and presented future plans to promote inclusiveness and female empowerment.

In the picture AWA board committee together with the race driver Manuela Gosner

RPM International Motorsport Network at ‘Auto and Moto d’Epoca’ trade show: a step forward also in the vintage field

From October 24th through October 27th, Bologna Trade Shows area hosted ‘Auto e Moto d’Epoca’: the largest European fair dedicated to vintage vehicles which also saw among the exhibitors PISTAL RACING S.R.L. and LaMmeccanica4M, two companies that are part of RPM and which represented the network in this important context. Also present at the event were Riccardo Paterni for RPM Italia and Zanetti Monica for AWA – Automotive Women Association .

An important fair for the sector and for the network For years, ‘Auto e moto d’Epoca’ has been an important international event that brings together enthusiasts and professionals, testifying to an increasingly marked interest in the world of vintage vehicles.

The growth of the segment is also of strategic importance for RPM, which aims to position itself as a reference in this expanding niche relevant also to vintage racing. To confirm this commitment and the relevance that is recognized by the network by professionals, Riccardo Paterni was invited to moderate the event “Restoration and speed: technical culture and training for vintage racing mechanics”, included in the context of the fair. Unfortunately, the meeting was canceled due to the tragic flood that hit Bologna. We are certain that in any case the event will be organized again, such is its importance in the context of the supply chain.

 

 

The expansion strategy in the vintage segment and a relevant visit RPM’s participation to ‘Auto e Moto d’Epoca’ is part of the project to strengthen the network in the vintage vehicle niche. In this regard, the meetings that took place during October with David Castelhano , a well known vintage professional from the USA introduced by Monica Zanetti, who visited the Motor Valley and met RPM members, was also significant. A valuable exchange of insights  in terms of experience and knowledge, which consolidates the network development process in the vintage segment, creating a bridge between tradition and innovation in the automotive world. Stay tuned for developments.

Action time (always motorsport rooted and linked) in the extended Motorvalley

The beginning of October has begun with an intense enjoyable series of meetings, projects and activities within an extended Motorvalley (spreading its wings from Arese to Padova) all of them rooted and linked to the past, present and future of motorsport… the mood is always and humble inquisitive one… so much to learn! so much to discover! so much to enjoy together to develop unique powerful projects for the short, mid and long term. Enabling powerful positive authentic legacies is concept driving many of my thoughts and actions…

Riccardo Paterni coordinates RPM motorsport network 2nd 2024 General Meeting

Last September 25th, starting at 10 am, in the Imola Room of the RPM operational headquarters inside Casa Promotec, the second general network meeting took place. It was an intense meeting, full of exchanges on increasingly clear and concrete perspectives for the present and future development of the network. Companies present: Andreoli, Aviorace, AWA, Dino Paoli, Phasep, GMA, Kaiti Expansion, La Meccanica 4 Emme, LSM Composite, Mectronik, MindUP, Novac, Pistal Racing, RaceX, Tecnocable, Synergy Pathways; remotely: Merin.

RPM organizational dynamics, goals and identity

The meeting took place following the agenda of the day which had been sent to all the network companies and opened by discussing all the projects that have taken place and are underway between various companies that are part of the network (see the presentation attached for further information). We reiterated the importance of communicating internally (and then this will also happen externally) regarding these projects in order to highlight and stimulate network dynamics. We also reiterated that it is equally important, when possible, to mutually involve network companies in projects under development with customers and suppliers at a national and international level.

We have also looked into all the ongoing internationalization projects regarding Europe, UK, India, USA, delving into the related events: trade shows and conferences in which we are involved.

An important section of the meeting has been dedicated to analyzing motivations that have brought some companies to end their experience within RPM and other companies to begin the path within the network. We have pointed out the ongoing activities and influences that are relevant to both the motorsport industry and racing events on track at the international level in several contexts. We have underlined one of the key foundations of RPM: the network can reach relevant goals based upon the active inputs and support of member companies that are part of it; this process is a consistent dynamic give and take matching the Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles that have been declared since the network constitution.

RPM and new members: a reciprocal empowering process

There was then the opportunity for all the new RPM entities: Automotive Women Association, Fasesp, LSM Composite, Novac and RaceX to make an introduction to their reality and their expectations, motivations and contributions that they can bring to the network .

Strategy for the next level of growth

We talked about new activities that we will set up in the short term (a new quantitative and qualitative network survey), as well as activities that we are developing for the near future and long term relevant to several conferences, trade shows and trade lobby meetings on specific goals. We then had as guests Eugenio Bettella and Anna Morsoletto from Bergs & More of Padua (the Bergs & More law firm that already represent RPM Legal Desk with with Riccardo Giacomin). Bettella made a short introductory presentation regarding the nature of organizational and strategic managerial topics we can focus on for the next level growth of the network and its members following a definite strategy we will debate with experienced professionals in several fields related to our industry and beyond.

AWA and RPM grit and planning in action in the context of Minardi Day 2024

Last August 24th and 25th, on the occasion of the eighth edition of Minardi Day at the Imola Autodrome. The Automotive Women Association (a non-profit formally established in Modena a few months ago with the aim of stimulating and concretely supporting the professional presence of women in the automotive and motorsport sector in various technical, management and operational roles) was present and active in the paddock of the event with a truly unique event.

With the collaboration of: Racing Bulls (who supplied a 2021 Alpha Tauri F1); Dino Paoli Srl (which supplied the technology of the screwdrivers which are present in all the already important motorsport series at an international level); RPM (Rete Professionisti Motorsport – of which both AWA and Dino Paoli Srl are members) and the Ferrari Club of Imola, AWA coordinated the implementation of F1 pitstops for the public with fundraising to support the non-profit projects of its mission.

The activity involved dozens of enthusiasts over the course of two days who, despite the heat, enjoyed experiencing firsthand the intensity of a now fundamental F1 operation complete with timing and results for tire changes made by individuals, in pairs or three people (just like in real F1 pit stops). People of all ages participated, from 8 year old children to mature people who, in complete safety, were able to deepen this experience first thanks to the training received from specialized technicians and then the practical action carried out in the name of professionalism and fun.

There were numerous visits to the AWA stand which attracted various new registrations with women passionate about automotive and motorsport, also professionally involved in these sectors, who signed up personally coming from various parts of the world, including from Australia.

AWA also held a press conference in the media room of the racetrack. in which he recalled the roots of the project linked to the friendship and precise will of the two founders: Monica Zanetti (known as Lady F40, the first female mechanic involved in the Ferrari bodywork department at the time of the Ferrari F40 and with decades of experience in the world of motorsport and high performance automotive) and Laura Tancredi (many years of organizational management experience in the world of high performance cars). The recently strengthened steering committee was presented, with the presence also of Francesca Paoli CEO of Dino Paoli Srl and Vice President of RPM, Riccardo Paterni Co-founder, Vice President and manager of RPM and Anna Mangione (founding journalist of the Wheels community on Heels).

During the press conference, projects in which AWA is currently active were highlighted, in particular the course for supercar test drivers whose registrations close by September and which will take place during the month of November under the expert care of of an international reference on the topic, the test driver Loris Bicocchi. The course will allow the most deserving career development opportunities with manufacturers.

A special thank you to the Minardi family and Racing Bull for making the PitStop F1 event possible, giving concrete support to the spirit of sharing, inclusion and teamwork that characterizes the AWA mission and projects.

Grand Prix Historique Monaco 2024 source of inspiration …

The Grand Prix Historique Monaco is always a source of fun and inspiration for us motorsport fans and Motorsport industry professionals.

This edition to Riccardo the feeling is even stronger because he has experienced it live with Motorsport industry professionals that have resourceful and meaningful expertise and network far reaching across motorsport eras making the entire experience even more inspirational.

This is contributing to fuel some creative work that Riccardo is developing with his publisher:

it relates to the motorsport industry itself… stay tuned…