As the manager of the prominent Italian circuit located in the province of Brescia that won the FIA Karting Best Event award the last two years – for the outstanding organisation of the European and World Championships in 2022 and 2023, she knows what it takes to achieve the level of service required by competitors. Her story extends way back to many years working with one of the sports leading manufacturers and now as the responsible leader at one of the newest karting arenas on the international racing calendar, together with her partner Stefano Bonara and their dedicated team, Raffaella is totally committed to deliver. BRP-Rotax also chose this ideal venue to present their E20 and E10 electric powertrains to chassis manufacturers. This season, Franciacorta has up to 23 race events on the calendar including several international and RMC national championship as well.
When was your first introduction to karting and motorsport?
I started in Tony Kart in 1996 as a switchboard operator then due to a change of duties I started to follow the export office, with Mr. Robazzi also adding logistical support for the race team. It was a fundamental decade for my professional growth and I started to love karting. In 2006, I arrived at the Franciacorta racetrack and I met Stefano, with whom I now share a strong passion for racing. He also does karting, even if at an amateur level. From 2020 we started a new adventure together, a new challenge that’s become the most important challenge for us; the Franciacorta Karting Track and I am super excited to share this dream with him, now reality. We certainly did not do it all alone. We have an exceptional work group and our families always with us.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Franciacorta now?
I like being with the teams, with the drivers, being there for them. Giving my availability and being part of them. Obviously preparation is also important, especially very demanding, there is a lot to do, coordinating staff, paddock, services, etc. It is not easy, but I always have a good group that works with me, fundamental at all times. Stefano is my point of reference in everything obviously.
What you do like to do when you are not on track working?
I like staying at home, with Stefano and our two dogs. So it’s in the garden, movies, total relaxation. I love cooking with him, dinners with friends and taking nice walks together. P.S. I live on the track!
And of course, your family are involved in this passion with you...
Family is everything to us. Stefano's parents have always been in the world of engines: his father was a kart driver and along with his parents, Stefano founded the Franciacorta racetrack. My parents, on the other hand, have become more involved in this world as enthusiasts without experience in the sector. But they are my strong point for my training. Sabrina, Stefano's daughter, has been working with us since she was little. We are a great group.
In July, the first RMC Euro Trophy to be held in Italy and it was yet another first for Franciacorta. How do you feel about this?
I was very, very, very happy because it’s the first ever RMC Euro Trophy in Italy, but for me, it made me very happy because the first race we made here in 2020 was Rotax. So the first race here in our history I remember for sure and it will be four years in two days. It is amazing! For us to now have this Rotax event here, it appears that we, my group and I, have all done a good job and we welcome them here. I hope there will be good feedback from our side. I would like also to thank the WSK for suggesting our track for the series because for us it is an important step that we are doing to increase our capacity and to be sure to make the proper job for the future. And for sure, I want to have the RMCET back again next year at Franciacorta Karting Track!
Are there any main differences between holding other events and the Rotax events?
Yes, for sure for me it is different. My husband and I take care of all the paddocks so we are in contact with all the teams. Because they are new, they don’t know me and I don’t know them, so I have to establish good relations. At the beginning it was different due to the size of the space they required. For them it is normal, but for me it was not. I have spent a lot of time trying to organise everything they needed, which I promise next time we’ll be better organised after this experience. They are very nice people and I have had no problems or complaints and they are very cooperative. Plus they understand it is new for us, so they have suggested how to manage some things for the next time. I believe we have established a really good relationship with the teams.
In general, we have heard a lot of good feedback from the drivers already about the circuit.
From speaking with the competitors, they are happy. Of course, there can always be someone who does not like it because they may not have good results, but in most cases, the drivers and teams are satisfied. In fact, they have been coming here from last December already after it was announced about the date they started to arrive to test. For many, they have no time during the season with races every week. Their feeling is good and the reports I had from their impressions been all positive, which for me is very important.
What do you think about the racing you have seen here at the RMCET?
Of course, I have been following from the qualifying through and will watch the pre-finals and finals. It was good because it is a different world. It is important to understand because if you look at the race, you also have the time to understand what the issues may be that we need to address. For example, the tyres in the Parc Fermé, you have to understand the system, how they use the scales, how they use the entrance, etc. So you must learn from the technical point of view, from the sporting point of view, but also from the drivers. If there is a problem in one corner, we have to focus on that corner – because it is different. Even a small crash that happens, if it is in a different position to other racing we have had, I must understand. The tyres are another aspect after one week with everyone on all the same tyres. You can see where the rubber build up is and how the track works in these conditions too. But for me, fantastic races!
Some drivers and mechanics mentioned the high level of grip here and how this introduces some new challenges, in both the driving and the setup. Obviously, this also offers great experience.
For sure for them, they don’t know the track and how the track works. Next weekend, I have the Rotax Swiss championship and they are already happy to have the circuit with this MOJO tyre grip already. The track will be perfect! For me, the competitors have to understand Franciacorta. If there is rain, which we don’t really want, they could be very surprised because the track works properly and not too much difference between the wet and slick tyres in some cases. But anyway, I hope they will enjoy. In the end, I can only say that I’m very happy.
[Note: It actually rained for the finals Sunday afternoon… and was definitely an exciting finish to a fantastic weekend of close competition to the flag in every case!]
How we met…
We first met in person when I was asked by this amazing lady to be the press office manager for Franciacorta at the FIA Karting World Championship OK last season. From the initial phone contact, the plan was already well underway to make this the most memorable race event in Italy in the modern era. There may not be the possibility to influence the factors outside your control, but this team was 100% prepared to turn this great opportunity into something very special for everyone involved. Raffi had considered practically everything, right down to the most infinite details. The magnificent trophy for the champions was so unique; based on the story of Saint Angela of Brescia, whose mission is traditionally explained by her vision of inspiration. As a woman, her vision was an intelligent response to the societal problems around her. It was somewhat relevant to this woman I had met. We welcomed the media with open arms and gave them the support they truly deserved. It was an unforgettable experience for me and a real pleasure to work with this inspirational lady.
When was your first introduction to karting and motorsport?
I started in Tony Kart in 1996 as a switchboard operator then due to a change of duties I started to follow the export office, with Mr. Robazzi also adding logistical support for the race team. It was a fundamental decade for my professional growth and I started to love karting. In 2006, I arrived at the Franciacorta racetrack and I met Stefano, with whom I now share a strong passion for racing. He also does karting, even if at an amateur level. From 2020 we started a new adventure together, a new challenge that’s become the most important challenge for us; the Franciacorta Karting Track and I am super excited to share this dream with him, now reality. We certainly did not do it all alone. We have an exceptional work group and our families always with us.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Franciacorta now?
I like being with the teams, with the drivers, being there for them. Giving my availability and being part of them. Obviously preparation is also important, especially very demanding, there is a lot to do, coordinating staff, paddock, services, etc. It is not easy, but I always have a good group that works with me, fundamental at all times. Stefano is my point of reference in everything obviously.
What you do like to do when you are not on track working?
I like staying at home, with Stefano and our two dogs. So it’s in the garden, movies, total relaxation. I love cooking with him, dinners with friends and taking nice walks together. P.S. I live on the track!
And of course, your family are involved in this passion with you...
Family is everything to us. Stefano's parents have always been in the world of engines: his father was a kart driver and along with his parents, Stefano founded the Franciacorta racetrack. My parents, on the other hand, have become more involved in this world as enthusiasts without experience in the sector. But they are my strong point for my training. Sabrina, Stefano's daughter, has been working with us since she was little. We are a great group.
In July, the first RMC Euro Trophy to be held in Italy and it was yet another first for Franciacorta. How do you feel about this?
I was very, very, very happy because it’s the first ever RMC Euro Trophy in Italy, but for me, it made me very happy because the first race we made here in 2020 was Rotax. So the first race here in our history I remember for sure and it will be four years in two days. It is amazing! For us to now have this Rotax event here, it appears that we, my group and I, have all done a good job and we welcome them here. I hope there will be good feedback from our side. I would like also to thank the WSK for suggesting our track for the series because for us it is an important step that we are doing to increase our capacity and to be sure to make the proper job for the future. And for sure, I want to have the RMCET back again next year at Franciacorta Karting Track!
Are there any main differences between holding other events and the Rotax events?
Yes, for sure for me it is different. My husband and I take care of all the paddocks so we are in contact with all the teams. Because they are new, they don’t know me and I don’t know them, so I have to establish good relations. At the beginning it was different due to the size of the space they required. For them it is normal, but for me it was not. I have spent a lot of time trying to organise everything they needed, which I promise next time we’ll be better organised after this experience. They are very nice people and I have had no problems or complaints and they are very cooperative. Plus they understand it is new for us, so they have suggested how to manage some things for the next time. I believe we have established a really good relationship with the teams.
In general, we have heard a lot of good feedback from the drivers already about the circuit.
From speaking with the competitors, they are happy. Of course, there can always be someone who does not like it because they may not have good results, but in most cases, the drivers and teams are satisfied. In fact, they have been coming here from last December already after it was announced about the date they started to arrive to test. For many, they have no time during the season with races every week. Their feeling is good and the reports I had from their impressions been all positive, which for me is very important.
What do you think about the racing you have seen here at the RMCET?
Of course, I have been following from the qualifying through and will watch the pre-finals and finals. It was good because it is a different world. It is important to understand because if you look at the race, you also have the time to understand what the issues may be that we need to address. For example, the tyres in the Parc Fermé, you have to understand the system, how they use the scales, how they use the entrance, etc. So you must learn from the technical point of view, from the sporting point of view, but also from the drivers. If there is a problem in one corner, we have to focus on that corner – because it is different. Even a small crash that happens, if it is in a different position to other racing we have had, I must understand. The tyres are another aspect after one week with everyone on all the same tyres. You can see where the rubber build up is and how the track works in these conditions too. But for me, fantastic races!
Some drivers and mechanics mentioned the high level of grip here and how this introduces some new challenges, in both the driving and the setup. Obviously, this also offers great experience.
For sure for them, they don’t know the track and how the track works. Next weekend, I have the Rotax Swiss championship and they are already happy to have the circuit with this MOJO tyre grip already. The track will be perfect! For me, the competitors have to understand Franciacorta. If there is rain, which we don’t really want, they could be very surprised because the track works properly and not too much difference between the wet and slick tyres in some cases. But anyway, I hope they will enjoy. In the end, I can only say that I’m very happy.
[Note: It actually rained for the finals Sunday afternoon… and was definitely an exciting finish to a fantastic weekend of close competition to the flag in every case!]
How we met…
We first met in person when I was asked by this amazing lady to be the press office manager for Franciacorta at the FIA Karting World Championship OK last season. From the initial phone contact, the plan was already well underway to make this the most memorable race event in Italy in the modern era. There may not be the possibility to influence the factors outside your control, but this team was 100% prepared to turn this great opportunity into something very special for everyone involved. Raffi had considered practically everything, right down to the most infinite details. The magnificent trophy for the champions was so unique; based on the story of Saint Angela of Brescia, whose mission is traditionally explained by her vision of inspiration. As a woman, her vision was an intelligent response to the societal problems around her. It was somewhat relevant to this woman I had met. We welcomed the media with open arms and gave them the support they truly deserved. It was an unforgettable experience for me and a real pleasure to work with this inspirational lady.
