As we could not go to any F1 GP in 1999 for various reasons, we decided to visit the Italian round of the world motorcycling championship at Mugello. It was also nice to try something a bit different.

We arrived at the track just before the start of the 125 cc race, but there was still plenty of room on the large grass banks. We chose the Scarperia curve at the back end of the track because that place seemed to be as close to the track as you could get, and you have to be pretty close to get any decent pictures of the bikes because they are so small (even compared to today's pathetic narrow F1 cars). As you can see, we didn't quite get close enough... We were surprised by the high altitude changes at the circuit which you really can't see on TV. Being high up the hill, we could also see the final turn and a couple of other curves in the distance.

The weather was extremely hot and sunny. The atmosphere was pretty hot as well: already after Valentino Rossi's victory in the 250s the track was full of his fans and during the 500 cc race the crowd went completely crazy as Max Biaggi was battling with Alex Criville for the victory. People were climbing over the fences when there were still over five laps to go!