GRAN PREMIO NUVOLARI 2017
Mantova Italy 15-16-17th September 2017
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This year we decided to cover the event Gran Premio Nuvolari.
Starting in Mantova the home of Tazio Nuvolari who was famous throughout the world, as being a supremo within Motor Racing circles in the 20’s 30’s & 40’s. Tazio died on the 11th August 1953, and the event is dedicated in his honor. The event this year starting at Mantova on the 1st day a route to Conzara Modena Riolo and onto Rimini 2nd day from Rimini to Arezzo and Siena, then back to Rimini and the final day Forli Lugo and back to Mantova, over 1000 KMS in 3 days of spectacular scenery and driving. |
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Potted History of the Legend Tazio Nuvolari
Tazio. A legend in his own lifetime was the Flying Mantuan. He epitomized courage and daring and for 30 years he amazed the racing world with his exploits on both 2 and 4 wheels. He was born on November 18th 1892 in Casteldro near Mantova. His uncle Giuseppe was a Bianchi dealer and introduced his nephew to motor sports. After serving as a driver in the Italian army, he started racing motorcycles seriously when he was 28. He raced Nortons, saoleas, Garellis, Fongris and Indians. The powerful Bianchi team noticed his riding and he became a member and eventually Italian Champion. At the Monza Grand Prix for motorcycles he crashed during practice. This resulted in 2 broken legs. After his doctors put plaster casts on both legs he was told it would be at least one month before he could walk again let alone race cycles. The next day he started the rac having himself tied to his bike. He required the mechanics to hold him upright at the start of the race and to catch him at the end. The legend of Tazio Nuvolari began…
Tazio. A legend in his own lifetime was the Flying Mantuan. He epitomized courage and daring and for 30 years he amazed the racing world with his exploits on both 2 and 4 wheels. He was born on November 18th 1892 in Casteldro near Mantova. His uncle Giuseppe was a Bianchi dealer and introduced his nephew to motor sports. After serving as a driver in the Italian army, he started racing motorcycles seriously when he was 28. He raced Nortons, saoleas, Garellis, Fongris and Indians. The powerful Bianchi team noticed his riding and he became a member and eventually Italian Champion. At the Monza Grand Prix for motorcycles he crashed during practice. This resulted in 2 broken legs. After his doctors put plaster casts on both legs he was told it would be at least one month before he could walk again let alone race cycles. The next day he started the rac having himself tied to his bike. He required the mechanics to hold him upright at the start of the race and to catch him at the end. The legend of Tazio Nuvolari began…
Racing cars in 1924 at the age of 32 whilst still competing in motorcycles. In 1927 he started his own team, buying a pair of Bugatti type 35Bs, which he shared with his partner Achulle Varzi who was also a successful motorcycle racer. The partnership would turn later into intense rivalry. Nuvolari began to win races at the expense of Varzi who left the team. Varzi, the son of a wealthy merchant could afford better equipment and bought an Alfa P2. With this car he had the better of Nuvolari. He signed on with Alfa Romeo in 1929 and was a teammate of his rival Varzi once again.
The Mille Miglia of 1930 would go down in history when Nuvolari caught an unsuspecting Varzi whilst driving at night sans headlights. Three Kilometers from the finish he suddenly pulled along side, smiling at his startled teammate he flicked on his headlights and powered on to victory.
In 1933 he scored many victories but became estranged from the team manager Enzo Ferrari and left for Maserati. 1933 also saw him travel to Northern Ireland for the tourist trophy race and a drive in the supercharged MG K3 Magnette. After totally dominating the race someone asked him if he liked MG’s brakes Nuvolari replied he couldn’t really tell he hadn’t used them that much.
In 1933 he scored many victories but became estranged from the team manager Enzo Ferrari and left for Maserati. 1933 also saw him travel to Northern Ireland for the tourist trophy race and a drive in the supercharged MG K3 Magnette. After totally dominating the race someone asked him if he liked MG’s brakes Nuvolari replied he couldn’t really tell he hadn’t used them that much.
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In 1935 he was induced to return to Alfa Romeo and scored one of his greatest victories at the Nurburing, driving an obsolete Alfa against the might of the German Nation. He drove on the ragged edge and sometimes over it. His relentless pursuit caused the lead Mercedes to retire with a blown tyre and he cruised to victory in front of a large gathering of Nazi party officials.
In 1936 he had a serious accident during practice for the Tripoli GP but escaped from hospital and took a taxi to the race where he finished seventh in a spare car. After the death of Bernrd Rosemeyer in 1938, Auto Union was desperate for a driver who could master their mid-engined racecar. At the insistence of Dr Ferdinand Porsche they turned to the Italian Nuvolari who would go on to win the British grand prix at Donnington. |
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His last Mille Miglia in 1948 was a defining moment in his illustrious career, driving as if possessed his car taking a terrible beating, speeding along his bonnet somehow became unfastened, and a gust of wind blew it over Nuvolari head and down the mountainside, that’s better shouted Tazio to his terrified mechanic, the engine will cool more easily, crossing the Futa and Raticosa passes his seat had started to come adrift, Tazio could feel himself sliding which brought along a feeling of sea sickness. Tossing the seat out he used a bag of lemons & oranges as a cushion. With his car literally falling apart under his super human effort the team advised him to quit the race at Bologna fore it was folly to continue under the circumstances and if anyone Tazio had nothing to prove, Tazio answered with a derisive gesture putting his foot down hard, and shot away along the Via Emalia. At Modena Enzo tried to beg his old friend to retire with dignity and could only weep as he realized the remains of the car could not hold out.
Disaster finally struck as on the next leg and all three cars were out of the race, including Tazio with broken suspension and failed brakes.
After the War Tazio returned to racing at the age of 53, he raced at the Grand Prix of Marseilles completing the fastest lap before engine failure.
Owing to ongoing health issues continued until hid death in August 1953.
Mike Archer 21.09.2017
Photos have been included on the web site; please contact me if you would like more information on the event.
After the War Tazio returned to racing at the age of 53, he raced at the Grand Prix of Marseilles completing the fastest lap before engine failure.
Owing to ongoing health issues continued until hid death in August 1953.
Mike Archer 21.09.2017
Photos have been included on the web site; please contact me if you would like more information on the event.
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