Lamborghini’s famed
test driver of more than 40 years, Valentino Balboni,
was honored by the city of Monterey Mayor Chuck Della
Sala with a “Key to the City” at the annual Concorso
Italiano event. One of Monterey Classic Car Week’s
premier events, Concorso Italiano is dedicated to the
heritage of Italian sports cars and is held at the
Laguna Seca Golf Ranch in Monterey, California.
Concorso Italiano event attendees
looked on as Mayor Della Sala presented Balboni with a
large key to recognize the automotive legend’s support
of enthusiast events in Monterey. “Year after year
Valentino attends Concorso Italiano and it’s always a
huge treat for event attendees to meet such a renowned
figure of the automotive community and legend of the
Lamborghini brand,” said Tom McDowell, President of
Concorso Italiano. “This year we wanted to recognize his
support of the city of Monterey and the many enthusiast
events he attends as a Lamborghini brand representative
with a special gift and unique honor.”
Valentino Balboni began his
career with Lamborghini in 1967 after being hired by
company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini to work as a
mechanic. Since 1973, he has sat at the wheel of every
prototype built by the brand, and even most production
cars have passed through his hands before being
delivered to their customers. After officially retiring
in 2009, Balboni was honored with a Lamborghini model
built exclusively with his specifications in mind – the
Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni, a two-wheel drive,
limited-edition super sports car. At the 2009 Concorso
Italiano, Balboni introduced the LP 550-2 to event
attendees and was presented with a special gift from
automotive enthusiast and TV personality Jay Leno.
Balboni’s honor at Concorso
Italiano came after his attendance at the annual Giro
Lamborghini from Aug. 10 – Aug. 12, an exclusive
customer drive event that takes provides participants
breathtaking scenery, fine dining and adrenaline-pumping
driving experiences. This year’s Giro began in Calistoga
in the Napa wine country, and concluded at Monterey for
the Concours weekend. Lamborghini also participated as a
sponsor at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering with a
focus on its carbon fiber technology at the event.
