The history of the Misano Circuit between territorial development policies and entrepreneurial strategies

Journal title IMPRESE E STORIA
Author/s Davide Bagnaresi
Publishing Year 2026 Issue 2024/50
Language Italian Pages 29 P. 19-47 File size 230 KB
DOI 10.3280/ISTO2024-050002
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The story of the Santamonica Misano Circuit (today Misano World Circuit) is an emblematic example of how a privately-led entrepreneurial initiative, deeply rooted in its territory, can evolve into an internationally renowned infrastructure through targeted strategies and synergies with the public sector. Established in 1972 by a group of local investors, the project took shape within a phase of economic and urban transformation in Misano Adriatico, which had until then remained on the fringes of the Riviera’s tourism boom. From its initial “artisanal” management, based on the direct involvement of a few shareholders, the Misano Circuit underwent a decisive entrepreneurial leap in the 1990s. With the entry of a new management group—an industry leader in cement production—the business adopted an industrial model: strategic planning, modular investments, seasonality reduction, and event diversification transformed the circuit into a competitive enterprise on an international scale.

Keywords: Motorsport industry, Public–Private Partnership (PPP), History of motorcycle racing circuits, Urban transformation, Tourism and motorsport.

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Davide Bagnaresi, La storia del Circuito di Misano tra politiche di sviluppo territoriale e strategie imprenditoriali in "IMPRESE E STORIA" 50/2024, pp 19-47, DOI: 10.3280/ISTO2024-050002