[1] At other times of day it was used by residents of the adjacent military camp for driver training[1] while maintaining its original function of airport for private flights.
Despite the expansion of nearby Modena, which involved a proliferation of apartment blocks and electricity pylons, the airstrip continued to be a favoured venue for a number of local aerobatics enthusiasts until 1974.
[2] In 1972 Automobile Club d'Italia decided to invest in the nearby semi-permanent Imola circuit, effectively ending Modena's prospects of holding a modern Formula One race.
The first two editions of the Modena Grand Prix took place on a 12 km-long road track around the area where the autodrome would be eventually built.
In 1947, following a serious accident that resulted in the death of five spectators, the race track was the subject of a significant number of upgrades, and the Modena Grand Prix was re-introduced in 1950.