1955 Targa Florio lap chart

I hope this most raw of raw historical research might suit this Historical Research Forum? The 1955 Targa Florio was very significant as the deciding round of that year's Sports Car World Championship. Just this evening I have rediscovered this long-buried lap and timing chart which Jenks compiled at the race. The more retentive and numerically inclined of TNFers might enjoy studying it. Start times for each of the cars begin the chart, in the extreme left-hand column. Other timings are self explanatory, as recorded by DSJ, on site that day at the Cerda pits and press stand. Typically, he also adds some pretty blunt notes in places.

First car to start, No 2, was the Musmeci/Perrone Alfa Romeo 1900TI - ultimate winner, the Moss/Collins Mercedes-Benz 300SLR was No 104, second-placed Fangio/Kling 300SLR No 112 - third-placed Castellotti/Manzon Ferrari Monza No 116 - and the fourth-placed Titterington/Fitch 300SLR No 106. For the other race numbers easiest option is wsrp.cz, 1955 Targa Florio, Martin Krejci's wonderful website...

Please excuse the overlaps and omission of No 39 below...tee hee - there is no No 39 on the chart, nor in the entry.













All images Strictly Copyright: GPL/The Denis Jenkinson Estate

DCN

Edited by Doug Nye, 06 May 2012 - 21:06.

My word, but this is fabulous! Thank you very much indeed.

Just a little point - the web address is http://wsrp.ic.cz

1955 Mille Miglia lap chart here.

1955 Mille Miglia lap chart here.;)

Twas only the 1940 MM that covered more than one lap.

1955 Mille Miglia lap chart here.;)

Aside from the Moss/Jenks achievement the most remarkable result is the 11th place of Abecassis in what was a modified (albeit heavily) road sports car

Aside from the Moss/Jenks achievement the most remarkable result is the 11th place of Abecassis in what was a modified (albeit heavily) road sports car

Or Anselmo / Peluso in an Iso Isetta. It was a hot day and 21½ hours two-up in the close confines of an Isetta deserves some recognition.

Doug, thanks for posting this. It merits further study, particularly to see how much time the various off-course excursions cost.

Aside from the Moss/Jenks achievement the most remarkable result is the 11th place of Abecassis in what was a modified (albeit heavily) road sports car

Not as spectacular perhaps, but interesting to see that George's business partner John Heath finished 40th in a Jaguar XK140. Sadly, he lost his life in the HWM-Jaguar the following year.

Aside from the Moss/Jenks achievement the most remarkable result is the 11th place of Abecassis in what was a modified (albeit heavily) road sports car

Jenks himself seems to be of the opinion that Francesco Giardini's 4th place in a 2-litre Maserati A6GCS was one of the finest individual drives. His celebrated 'Motor Sport' article records their surprise ("shook us perceptibly...we thought we had passed them all long ago." )

Jenks himself seems to be of the opinion that Francesco Giardini's 4th place in a 2-litre Maserati A6GCS was one of the finest individual drives. His celebrated 'Motor Sport' article records their surprise ("shook us perceptibly...we thought we had passed them all long ago." )

I am aware of that, having read the Jenks report umpteen times, my comment referred to what really might be termed a parts bin special. What have we got on the shelf that we can use, the Maser was a pukka sports racer.