87 replies to this topic

[D28]

I find your comments regarding Hunt strange, to say the least.  That said, I would be interested to know where this information came from.

 

Thanks.

From the Charles Fox story, Car and Driver Apr 1975, see #41. It is what Fox wrote.

[Tim Murray]

Maybe he feared being beaten by a woman and he was, both times.

Whilst technically correct, this is a bit misleading, as Hunt was generally quicker than Lella at both events. At OMS James was afflicted with a malfunctioning engine throughout the meeting, whilst at Riverside he was fighting with Vern Schuppan for third place behind Andretti and Redman when they tangled, putting both of them out.

[D28]

OK  I have't seen a race report unfortunately.  The California Grand Prix,OMS  which is the race Fox is commenting on Lella qualified 9th to Hunt 22. Lella went out lap 30- fuel while Hunt lasted till lap 5- engine. Stats from Ultimate racing History and Old racing cars. Doesn't appear that she was eclipsed by him from these stark records.

[Tim Murray]

The California Grand Prix,OMS  which is the race Fox is commenting on Lella qualified 9th to Hunt 22.

This disagrees with the info on the ORC site which shows Hunt qualifying 12th and Lombardi 14th. She did however beat him in their heat, finishing 5th to his 12th, but I suspect his engine problems may have delayed him. At Riverside Hunt qualified 7th with Lombardi 21st.

[D28]

And at the 2 sites I used which agreed in finish order, she qualified 16 at Riverside, Hunt 8. so we have conflicting data, not surprising. That first heat where he came 12, at OMS he may have left the road at least according to Fox.

 

But 2 races with 2 different cars makes it very difficult to rate them, also we don't know which was quicker, the Lola or the Eagle and who had first choice on the car.

The more important point I believe, and what Fox was getting at, was the contrasting attitudes of 2 F1 drivers, Hunt was with Hesketh but had not yet won, towards a fast female competitor. Certainly she was not intimidated by Hunt or indeed anyone else in the field.

Subsequent team mates and engineers had nothing but praise for her, according to the Motor Sport story of Apr 2015.

To illustrate this they have a wonderful photo of her with Vittorio Brambilla and Little Art sharing a laugh at Nurburgring.

Edited by D28, 14 November 2016 - 19:55.

[MCS]

Whilst not wishing to doubt her ability, she was far from competitive when she raced in Formula Three before getting her drive in the UK/European F5000 series.  There she failed to trouble the front runners at any time despite the fact that the 1974 F5000 season was poor at best.

 

Despite that, I can vividly recall her receiving a standing ovation from the Lodge Corner crowd at Oulton Park when she finished fifth in April 1974.  I posted a picture of her on here (at that corner) once upon a time - now seemingly lost forever thanks to Image Shack.  She certainly deserved better machinery.

[Tim Murray]

And at the 2 sites I used which agreed in finish order, she qualified 16 at Riverside, Hunt 8. so we have conflicting data, not surprising. That first heat where he came 12, at OMS he may have left the road at least according to Fox.

Having now had a look at the Ultimate Racing History site, I've found out why these anomalies occur. The ORC site lists the actual qualifying times recorded in practice, whilst the URH site lists the starting grid positions for the final, which were based on finishing position in the heats. Hence at OMS Hunt qualified 12th to Lombardi's 14th, but as Lella finished ahead of James in their heat she lined up 9th on the grid for the final with Hunt in 22nd. The same applies for the Riverside race.

[D28]

Thanks, That is a fair assessment of the starting times and explains discrepancies. Actually we are extremely fortunate to have such data bases at our finger tips for what was a rather obscure racing team in a couple of minor races 45 years ago. The finishing positions for both drivers suggest they were not really at the sharp end as far as equipment goes.

 

I agree with MCS that Lella certainly deserved better opportunities. I am thinking perhaps she was about 2 decades ahead of her time. In 1995 would she not have been able to attract better sponsorship and been really taken seriously as a driver? Attitudes changed quite a bit over the period and she of course helped change them, but wasn't able to really benefit that much.

Edited by D28, 16 November 2016 - 02:33.

[Lee Nicolle]

Looks seem to be a big part of it as well. Danica Patrick as an example who seems to pull very good sponsorship for  a competent effort. Other better drivers around but they look lousy in a bikini!

Lella did not have the glam so still may have struggled. But did seem to have the talent. Hardly a pioneer but got further than most women in the period.

These days a competent female nearly has an advantage, in those days they struggled.

[E1pix]

Am I reading you right that women have an easier time finding sponsorship than men today?

Beyond, to me there's no comparing Lella and Danica. One tried really hard in mostly bad cars while being a great role model, one did badly in only good cars while being the opposite.

[D28]

E1pix you put it most succinctly. The Motor Sport story makes it very clear Lella  wanted to be a race driver, the glam aspect interested her not in the slightest, I have never seen a photo of her except in her race overalls or casual sports wear. Probably one reason most team mates liked her,    attitude.

[Tim Murray]

Whilst not wishing to doubt her ability, she was far from competitive when she raced in Formula Three ...

Perhaps a trifle harsh, Mark. I've just checked her 1973 results on Stefan Örnerdal's site, and in a well-contested Italian championship she was a regular top 10 finisher, with a couple of podiums and a heat win. She also finished 12th in the Monaco F3 race. Considering she was driving a Brabham BT41, not the greatest of cars, I don't think these results are too shabby.

[LotusElise]

Looks seem to be a big part of it as well. Danica Patrick as an example who seems to pull very good sponsorship for  a competent effort. Other better drivers around but they look lousy in a bikini!

Lella did not have the glam so still may have struggled. But did seem to have the talent. Hardly a pioneer but got further than most women in the period.

These days a competent female nearly has an advantage, in those days they struggled.

 

Lella was quite good at finding sponsorship, compared to some. She didn't always have enough, but she was rarely completely without outside support. Shellsport, Lavazza, Radio Luxembourg and some others, possibly a sanitary towel manufacturer?

 

The impression I've got of her so far is that she was good at maintaining relationships with teams and sponsors, and was not demanding. She put everything she earned into her racing, rather than expenses. Any potential backers knew that she'd try her hardest to give them a good return, not squander their cash on extravagant hotels and first class plane tickets.

[Lee Nicolle]

Am I reading you right that women have an easier time finding sponsorship than men today?

Beyond, to me there's no comparing Lella and Danica. One tried really hard in mostly bad cars while being a great role model, one did badly in only good cars while being the opposite.

From what I have seen [not that much] Danica is no mug, as I said competent. She seemed to do better in openwheelers than Nascar.

But there is plenty of equal or better drivers around.

Lella was 40 years ago when things were a lot different and very hard to compare talent at this length

[E1pix]

It's always hard to compare eras, but I was referring to effort and decorum more so than talent.

[E1pix]

Trying hard, like, to give a Like to LotusElise and others, but like, the software won't, like, let me.

[MCS]

Perhaps a trifle harsh, Mark. I've just checked her 1973 results on Stefan Örnerdal's site, and in a well-contested Italian championship she was a regular top 10 finisher, with a couple of podiums and a heat win. She also finished 12th in the Monaco F3 race. Considering she was driving a Brabham BT41, not the greatest of cars, I don't think these results are too shabby.

Well it wasn't my intention to be harsh, Tim, but looking at the results I feel exonerated.  There were a number of Brabhams racing in Italy that year - some of them were even old BT35s at the start of the season. Anyway, I don't want to be negative.  I remain convinced that she never got the right equipment, sadly.

 

And I stood, cheered and clapped for her efforts that day at Lodge Corner...(and actually wish that - like Desire Wilson - she had been given a proper chance)...

[Tim Murray]

I remain convinced that she never got the right equipment, sadly.

And I stood, cheered and clapped for her efforts that day at Lodge Corner...(and actually wish that - like Desire Wilson - she had been given a proper chance)...

Agreed absolutely, Mark. (What happened to both Lella and Desire in F1 was despicable.)

[arttidesco]

 

Both Lella and Desire were given half decent chances in sports cars, Desrie with the de Cadenet in which she shared a couple of victories while Lella scored at least one class victory with /"Marie-Claude Beaumont"  in a 2 litre Alpine and various class wins in Osellas types PA7 through PA9, the latter which she also drove to an overall win with Giorgio Francia.

 

Above the PA8 in which she qualified 5th for the 1980 Silverstone 6 Hours with Vittorio Brambilla prior to retiring with an electrical issue.

Edited by arttidesco, 19 November 2016 - 10:56.

[nexfast]

She was also Formula Monza champion in 1970 (admittedly not exactly a cradle of champions but still...) and I think I saw a reference to her winning a championship in Ford Mexicos in 1973 or thereabouts. Both in her native Italy, of course.

[SJ Lambert]

Race of Champions  - Brands 1974 - Jean Amoudru's pic

 

Edited by SJ Lambert, 20 January 2017 - 08:55.

[D-Type]

On another thread Alfred Austria posted this link https://www.wien.gv....-Lombardi-Gasse

It appears that the Austrians reckon she deserves to have a street named after her

Edited by D-Type, 20 January 2017 - 14:37.

[Doug Nye]

Desire Wilson was always more impressive a driver at the time than Lella Lombardi had been. In earlier years Yvette Fontaine showed signs of being a real talent - and I have never been too clear on what interrupted her progress. I think it was at Spa that Tim Schenken could not keep up with La Fontaine and returned to the pits muttering darkly about "huge balls"...  At least, without checking I think it was Yvette Fontaine????  Maybe I am muddling names here? But it's the end of a really busy day - the log burner's glowing - and frankly I really can't be bothered to check.  

 

DCN

[William Hunt]

Yvette Fontaine her biography was published recently (I think one or two years ago), yes she was very talented even winning two Belgian touring car titles and a very good rally driver also, she probably was the quickest lady of the '60s early '70s

One name that was not mentioned here is Divina Galica, a former Olympic athlete who competed in downhill skiing and the slalom before she converted her career to motorsport.

Edited by William Hunt, 20 July 2017 - 22:40.

[Michael Ferner]

One name that was not mentioned here is Divina Galica...

Why would she have been mentioned? This is a thread about Lella Lombardi...

[Tim Murray]

... and Divina has her own thread:

Divina Galica (merged)

[MarkBisset]

 

Lella Lombardi during the 1974 Sandown Gold Star ‘Victoria Trophy’ race. Matich A51 Repco-Holden (autopics.com)...

 

Feature article on Lella; https://primotipo.co...s-of-frugarolo/

Edited by MarkBisset, 08 September 2020 - 07:25.

[Lee Nicolle]

The pic of her padding up to Dennis Lillee,, wearing her helmet is excellent. 

Many wished to wear one to face DK Lillee!

[Lee Nicolle]

Race of Champions  - Brands 1974 - Jean Amoudru's pic

 

With the dirty stain on the airbox that car may have well been walking wounded.

Seemingly coming from the breather to tank on the rockercover.

Edited by Lee Nicolle, 09 September 2020 - 03:47.

[Tim Murray]

It lasted long enough to give her 4th place in the F5000 race (where the photo was taken). She also took part in the (very wet) main Race of Champions the following day, but I don’t know whether she used the same engine for that race.

[MarkBisset]

 

 

Looks like Lella raced Formula Ford as well as Italian F Monza 875, F850 and F3, circa 1970 (Getty)

 

Am intrigued to know where, when and what chassis if there are any Italian FF experts out there! 

[Michael Ferner]

1971, Tecno. She was fourth at Monza, a week after the Grand Prix, beating future F1 drivers Piercarlo Ghinzani (7th), Alberto Colombo (14th), and a certain Giancarlo Minardi (12th).

[elansprint72]

Not wishing to incur the wrath of Michael Ferner.... but I clearly recall Divina saying, over the circuit PA, at Oulton, that she was going to "fry the Turin sausage".  

[MarkBisset]

1971, Tecno. She was fourth at Monza, a week after the Grand Prix, beating future F1 drivers Piercarlo Ghinzani (7th), Alberto Colombo (14th), and a certain Giancarlo Minardi (12th).

Thanks Michael,

just the one FF race?
m

[Michael Ferner]

No, she probably did the whole season. I think I have only two sets of results (I'm away from my 'stuff' now), and she was 6th or 7th at Vallelunga a couple weeks later, iirc. That's just two samples, I'm afraid, but it's all I got. Sounds like she was a regular (semi-) frontrunner.

[MarkBisset]

Thanks Michael,

that makes sense, I wondered what she had been up to in 1971!

m 

[nexfast]

See post 70 for 1970.

[MarkBisset]

 

Lella Lombardi in the Oran Park paddock during the 1974 Australian GP weekend, Matich A51 Repco-Holden 

Teddy Yip offers words of encouragement at right whilst interpreter for the weekend, later multiple Oz champion Alfie Costanzo leans on the roll bar (Bryan Henderson)

 

Edited by MarkBisset, 24 October 2020 - 09:11.