Who is Francesco Pennetta?

In words    < In numbers >

Name: Francesco Pennetta
Nick name: Penny
Age: 30
Nationality: Italian
Residence: Vicenza
Family: Some good friends

When did you meet with Grand Prix Legends? And what were your first thoughts/feelings about it?

It was in fall of 2000, I saw that gorgeous package in my sister's favourite manga - videogames store and was instant love for me, that car with no flaps on GPL cover was astonishing and thouched me deeply. Unfortunately my old pentium2 cannot run decently the 3d requirements and I was forced to leave it behind for better times and hardware.
My first thought about GPL was: "How sweet would be to race on the green hell!" and finally I manage to make it run on my last computers, at first driving by keys and then by my good pal DFP.

Which car did your drive first & on which track?

I chose Braby on Monza, which is always the perfect playground for any sims you can get.

Which are your favourite tracks?

I'd like to race fast on short rollercoasters like Mosport and Watkins Glen, though I'm much more a flat surface driver, so I love to race on Silverstone. In general I love each British track (Caldwell. Goodwood, Oulton Park) and I'm waiting for the complete version of Isle of Man for a full orgasm.

Do you have a favourite car?

Brabham but lately I'm more confident with the easier Honda.

Do you drive against AI or just train alone? Are you a hotlapper or a racer?

Alone for training and Online for real fun, I get my best timing in races actually, so I guess I'm a pack animal. I dislike AI races.

Do you join free servers on VROC?

At first I've tried some quick races on Vroc / GEM them I came to the conclusion that a league would have been my best option. I need constant training to improve my skills.

How did you find our league?

Honestly I can't remember though it was a month ago, it's one of my typical lacks of memory.

How do you remember to your first league race? What was your result?

It was in October 2009 (or september?, I go checking the archive ...). Yes it was October at Le Mans Bugatti with the 69ers, cars which are not well known to me. It was a nice coming-out because I get a fifth place, which gave me a lot of confidence to continue. This good result was the start for a constant and serious career.

Which race was your best so far? And which was your worst ever?

The worst one was at Oulton Park, a track that I really love but I've got the wrong version on the HD so I had to install the good one with extreme rush just before the race, than my girl made a call and finally I was distracted by a mate at the start causing me to make a false start, then I made a mistake in the pits and eventually leaved the race.
My best is yet to come! However my steady pace at Silverstone with a gorgeous 4th place was incredible and satisfying.

Do you race any other 'sims' or play any other games regularly/competitively? What other games do you enjoy?

I'm into GTR2 - GTR EVO lately and GTL as well, but GPL is addicting and is still the most fashinating scenario for my races.

Do you race in real life?

I'd like to, but streets are NOT for races in my opinion.

What is the closest race track to you?

Adria, which is near to Venice and a good facility expecially the paddocks, they are simply huge and much better than the track layout, in my opinion very poor. Anyway DTM and FIA GT races were held on this track.

And now some personal questions. What is your work? What do you do for a living?

At the moment I'm on the welfare because my contract expired on July, indeed I'm searching a new job. The last work was Quality Manager and Customer Care in an industrial automation company for two years.

What car/bike do you have/drive?

I own an Opel Vectra, I love the old sedans. The bike is yet to come however I've got the license.

What is/are your favourite car(s) that you have owned?

My mom's Autobianchi A112, but I like my Vectra very much, even with two recent failures for the differential (I know what are you thinking: No! I didn't played with diff setup on my real car!). Last time the diff broke near Vallelunga Circuit, I was on my way home from a trip to Rome, I don't know how I come back with my own legs (ops ... wheels) without calling the car assistance. I could not slow the car two much because transmission was crunching, plus I was frightened that if I stopped for urinate or something, the car would have remained stuck on the road. I managed to reach home, honestly don't know how, but was funny and a great time indeed ... with a lots of swearing too!

What is the highest speed you ever reached?

I think 190 kmh on the highway, once.

How long was the longest journey you made in your car?

It was when I went to Rome and the transmission broke, I usually travel by train (strange, isn't it?)

What are your favourite meals and drinks?

Pasta with eggs and bacon, red wines and every long drinks that comes with gin.

Do you read books? What is the latest book you read? Do you have a favourite?

I love maths books, though I didn't like it very much when I was a student.

What is the latest CD you heard and concert you attended? Do you have a favourite?

My last one is Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto playing Bossa Nova, great jazz album from 1964. Last concert I attended was Achtung Babies, official U2 cover band and it was fantastic, then my next one will be in November: I'll watvh the YES. I have lots and lots of favourite bands, surely the sweetest thing was going to Arena di Verona for THE WHO only Italian concert two summers ago, absolutely the greatest time a fan can get, though the weather was stormy and Roger lost totally his voice in the middle of the event.

What was the last movie you saw? Do you have a favourite?

I'm watching 'Panic at Needle Park' first Al Pacino movie ever. I'm also into seventies and eighties films, maybe my favourite ones are Once upon a time in the West / in America and all Gene Wilders movies.

What are your other hobbies besides GPL?

I'm a music performer (classic guitar and tenor sax) and I love cooking. Ops, ain't smoking a hobby? Ok I smoke for hobby.

Do you have an ambition?

Besides being a decent GPL driver? Having a nice, sweet, simple life with an appropriate job, enjoying my family and friends.

Describe yourself in 3 words/phrases.

Eclectic, caring and sensual.

Tell us about something that makes you proud. What is your greatest personal achievement?

Living for my own, thanks to my hard work and the help of someone I love very much.

Tell us about something that you are not proud of.

Having messed up my girl with my family, it was surely my worst mistake.

Your life philosophy?

Enjoying simple pleasures and making simple projects which have the possibility to go well.

Do you know a good joke?

This is not a good joke: So, there's an old tramp eating a watermelon next to a church, she is a mess, stinking, and she keeps her legs wide open while she's having her meal, there are also a bunch of flies around her. Some people, imbarassed, are watching that homeless woman and thay ask the church guardian to expel her or at least to make her close the legs. The 'show' is a total indecency! so the guardian goes to her and kindly ask: "Good morning Madam, You can surely have your melon here, but would you mind if you close your legs in the meanwhile? please" and then she replies: "But if I close the legs those flies will land on my watermelon!"

October 24th, 2009

'Whois' questions can be found here.