Lancia D50

I'm sure someone will know this -- Monaco GP 1955 -- Why were the Lancia D50's numbers stencilled in practice/qualifying, but solid for the race?

Not too sure on this one, but I think that these numbers that you are referring to are entry numbers. I found some reference to this at 8W - one fantastic site.

".... The big fuel tank 'sidepods' make this car an easy pick: it can be none other than the D50. The road track background is just as simple: Monaco. Now, are we looking at the original Lancia D50 from 1955 or the Ferrari D50 from 1956? The entry number - which for your information is put on the car to show this is a practice session - leaves no room for alternatives. It's 1955 with Villoresi at the wheel...."


http://8w.forix.com/8w-999.html

This would presumably be one of the subterfuges used by race organisers to frustrate pirate programme producers?

Originally posted by Vitesse2
This would presumably be one of the subterfuges used by race organisers to frustrate pirate programme producers?

I can see how changing the numbers might be used in this way, but I can't see how changing the way they were paited on the car would help. The only thing I can think of is that the timekeepers could not easly see the stencilled numbers and so they were changed to make them more visible. As far as I know, this was the only occassion the Lancia's wore stencilled nymbers.

I remember bringing this point up on a Lancia thread ages ago.

The only thing I can think of is that the timekeepers could not easly see the stencilled numbers and so they were changed to make them more visible.

I am sure Roger is correct about the reasons for filing in the stencil.