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Chariot racing could return to Rome
(ANSA) - Rome, July 15 - The ancients' version of Formula 1 could once again enliven the Italian capital, with a series of high-speed chariot races.The historical society Vadis Al Maximo hopes to stage a major event next year, which would reproduce the thrills and spills of competitive charioteering, beloved of both the Romans and Greeks. ''The event would last three days, starting on October 17, at the same period when the race took place in Roman times,'' explained Vadis Al Maximo head, Franco Calo. ''If possible, we hope to involve charioteers from all over the world''. The initiative is still being studied by various municipal departments but if given the go-ahead, it would be staged in October 2009, as a city-wide event. ''All the main squares of the capital would be transformed into scenes from Ancient Rome, using props on loan from the Cinecitta film studios,'' said Calo. But the effort involved in staging such an event would be enormous. ''According to our calculations, the Circus Maximus area could hold up to 35,000 people,'' he said. ''Various maxi-screens would therefore need to be installed at various points outside the course so that people could watch the races''. Restoring Rome's Circus Maximus would include setting up platforms, security exits, a sidewalk, a stage at the centre of the course, a ditch and outdoor stables. It would also require the assistance of other organizations, including the sports department of Cinecitta for costumes and scenery, municipal authorities for public parking and security, and riding groups for the horses and race training. Although the Circus Maximus was the backdrop for a variety of games in Roman times, chariot-racing was the most important and popular event. At its height, the course could accommodate 12 chariots, each drawn by teams of four horses. Like Formula 1, the race was fast-paced and dangerous, often ending in crashes in which competitors died. The course covered a distance of about 6.5 kilometres and started at one end of the track, where teams were released from staggered starting gates to ensure everyone travelled equal distances - just like in modern races. Spectacular, four-horse chariot races have already been staged in several locations abroad over the last few years. The first took place a few years ago in a rediscovered Roman hippodrome in Jerash, Jordan, while the Stade de France in Paris has hosted two such events. The Trabrenn-Bahn Karlshors in Berlin has a race lined up for September, as does the Bulgarian border town of Svishtov. But there is still some way to go in Rome. ''This is the natural place [to host such events] but it's just more complicated here,'' said Calo. Posted by: mrp 2008-07-15 |
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