Who was 'Geki'?
#1
Posted 20 June 2003 - 11:56
While flicking through an F1 history website today I came across a name I have never heard before. An Italian driver named Geki raced the three Italian Grand Prix in the mid sixties, once for Rob Walker and twice for Lotus.
I assume Geki, like Levegh, is a psuedonym, but who was he, what did he acheive in his career and where is he now? And why the name Geki?
Normally I would consult my Grand Prix Who's Who, but that is over a hundred miles away at the moment.
Any help or insight would be very much appreciated. You never know on this board, perhaps someone here has met him?
Thanks again.
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#2
Posted 20 June 2003 - 12:07
b 23/10/1937 (Milan) - d 18/6/1967 (Caserta)
1960 - Italian Formula Junior Champion (Stanguellini S0130)
1964 - dnq Italian GP (RRC Walker - Brabham-BRM). F2 (Abarth). Won Italian
F3 Championship.
1965 - ret Italian GP (Lotus). Sportscars (Alfa)
1966 - 9th Italian GP (Lotus). Sportscars (Alfa)
1967 - Italian F3. Died at Caserta. After multiple pile-up, Swiss driver
Fehr Beat jumped from car and ran back along track to warn on-coming
drivers. Geki unfortunately collected this individual, killing him,
before ploughing into a concrete wall, dying when car caught fire.
#3
Posted 20 June 2003 - 12:07
A F3 Race in Caserta... A shunt... A driver runs out of his car to warn the on-coming drivers... He is caught and killed by Giacomo RUSSO 'GEKI' who himself crashed in a wall and died in the flames... GEKI was 1964 F3 Italian champion and was also driving in sports cars... He lined up in 3 italian Gp in 64, 65 and 66 where he finished 9th with a LOTUS/CLIMAX
#4
Posted 20 June 2003 - 12:14
Originally posted by Darren Galpin
Geki (Russo, Giacomo) (I)
b 23/10/1937 (Milan) - d 18/6/1967 (Caserta)
1960 - Italian Formula Junior Champion (Stanguellini S0130)
1964 - dnq Italian GP (RRC Walker - Brabham-BRM). F2 (Abarth). Won Italian
F3 Championship.
1965 - ret Italian GP (Lotus). Sportscars (Alfa)
1966 - 9th Italian GP (Lotus). Sportscars (Alfa)
1967 - Italian F3. Died at Caserta. After multiple pile-up, Swiss driver
Fehr Beat jumped from car and ran back along track to warn on-coming
drivers. Geki unfortunately collected this individual, killing him,
before ploughing into a concrete wall, dying when car caught fire.
That sounds an appalling accident. Italian F3 champion? Must have been a driver of considerable ability. Would it have got him anywhere had he lived?
#5
Posted 20 June 2003 - 19:54
#6
Posted 29 October 2011 - 20:46
#7
Posted 29 October 2011 - 22:43
Never seen him of course, but every time someone who knew him talks about this driver, it seems like he could have become one of the greats.
#8
Posted 30 October 2011 - 11:26
#9
Posted 30 October 2011 - 22:30
#10
Posted 30 October 2011 - 23:13
#11
Posted 30 October 2011 - 23:31
I've seen it! That's why I decided to learn more about him. The unknown drivers fascinate me, there's so many histories behind
There's a thread about this tragic day.
http://forums.autosp...w...&hl=caserta
I'm still not sure whether the Swiss driver was called Fehr Beat or Beat Fehr ( which given the conditions they raced under would've been a really appropriate moniker !)
#12
Posted 30 October 2011 - 23:32
#13
Posted 31 October 2011 - 10:06
I'm still not sure whether the Swiss driver was called Fehr Beat or Beat Fehr ( which given the conditions they raced under would've been a really appropriate moniker !)
It is Claude Beat Fehr (Fehr was his family name).
On the 1966 Italian GP long play album I first heard of Geki. Passing by in the (not so eventful) race that saw him finish. Fascinating he managed to get hold of Lotus F1 material.
#14
Posted 31 October 2011 - 20:42