8 replies to this topic

[Steffe Ornerdal]

I have found a note in Swedish Motormagazine “Racing” 1949:

“MUSSOLINI WAS ENTERED FOR THE TARGA FLORIO RACE 1924.
Unfortunately, he was not able to start due other commitments. Racing experts in Italy was disappointed as ‘Il Duce’ was regarded as a talented driver and a successful sportsman”
Really? Any truth in this?

Stefan
www.formula2.net

[David McKinney]

His name isn't on the entry-list published by the F1 Register, and this is a race where they have a full list

...unless of course he used a nome per la corsa. The names Rebuffo, Spadoni, Pagani and Tagliavia all appear on the list without forenames

But is it likely the prime minister of Italy (as he then was) would attempt such a race?

Two of his sons did race in the 1930s

[elansprint72]

Didn't he drive for the fledgling Berlusconi team?

[LucaP]

Racing experts in Italy was disappointed as ‘Il Duce’ was regarded as a talented driver and a successful sportsman”

...Sounds like a little bit of propaganda?

Didn't he drive for the fledgling Berlusconi team?

That reminds me, I once read on Autosprint that in the 80's Berlusconi had a project to found a new F1 team called "Five" (like one of his tv channels).

Then, changed his mind and bought the Milan football team.

Sorry, no source though... I'll google this a bit.

Edited by Luca Pacchiarini, 09 April 2011 - 21:54.

[Sharman]

Somewhere i read that he entered under his name but had his shover, who apparently could drive, do the racing for him.

[Tom Glowacki]

Somewhere i read that he entered under his name but had his shover, who apparently could drive, do the racing for him.

Not true, he was the Fascist Qualifer.

[David McKinney]

Somewhere i read that he entered under his name but had his shover, who apparently could drive, do the racing for him.

Again, that might be a reference to the late '30s, when Ercole Boratto shared works Alfas with the likes of Gaboardi, Guidotti and Sanesi and, due to his position, was accorded more credit than he was due

[Tim Murray]

This earlier related thread may be of interest. It goes into Boratto's racing activities in some detail:

Musolini and racing in the 1930s

[Formula Once]

...Sounds like a little bit of propaganda?



That reminds me, I once read on Autosprint that in the 80's Berlusconi had a project to found a new F1 team called "Five" (like one of his tv channels).

Then, changed his mind and bought the Milan football team.

Sorry, no source though... I'll google this a bit.

5 sponsored the Coloni-team in 1989