25 replies to this topic

[William Hunt]

Ernesto Brambilla was the 3 year older brother of Vittorio Brambilla. He only raced in 2 GP's : in 1963 he entered the Italian GP in a Cooper - Maserati but failed to qualify.

In 1969 the Ferrari Scuderia entered a works car for him in Monza. He qualified this time (only 15th out of 16 though) but didn't start the race.

His brother Vittorio only started his F1 carreer much later, in 1974. But he was much more succesfull at it, entering 79 GP's and even winning one in a March, the Autrian GP '75 and he also took one pole position in the Swedish GP '75.

But recently I found a picture of a certain Tino Brambilla taken in 1956 on a World Championship bike. I'm sure that Tino and Ernesto are the same person. Was Ernesto a succesfull bike racer who tried to switch to cars ?

[FEV]

Yes William, Tino was the diminutive of Ernesto Brambilla. Like his younger brother, he started with bikes and achieved more than Vittorio on two wheels. He even was a factory MV Agusta driver in both the Italian and World Championships at the end of the 50s, being a team mate of John Surtees, Carlo Ubbiali, John Hartle, etc.... The two brothers also shared a bike at the 1972 Bol d'Or.

[William Hunt]

Scanning in my GP bikes books (I have very few, concentrate more on cars), I noticed that Ernesto Brambilla was actually quite succesfull, scoring a podium now and then. But I also came across Australian F1 driver KEN KAVANAGH who apparently also was a bike GP driver !

[Udo K.]

I just send a pic of Tino Brambilla to Barry, who will post it for me, as I still cannot do it myself.
It shows Brambilla in the Nürburgring paddock during the 1969 Eifelrennen. His car is a works Ferrari 166 and his teammates were Derek Bell and Clay Regazzoni. Bell finished fifth in the race whereas Tino had to retire due "illness" .
Brambilla took six starts for Ferrari that year and finished 6th in Thruxton, which earned him 4 points for the championship, had DNFs at Hockenheim and Nürburgring, another 6th at Madrid (4 points) and a DNF again in the Lotteria di Monza. That was the last race of the Ferraris that year, which were actually the cars of 1968. The prancing horse's attack on the F2 crown proved to be unsuccesful again, Bell finishing 5th in the championship, Brambilla 8th and Regazzoni 10th.

[William Hunt]

I also have problems posting pictures. Maybe it's the same picture I previously saw.

[William Hunt]

Just checked, I don't have a picture of the '69 Eifelrennen

[Udo K.]

No, you have not seen the one before. Definetely not, as it will be "published" here for the very first time. I took some more on that day, two more showing Tino, but the one in the car being pushed by the mechanics is my favorite.

[William Hunt]

Great Udo, can't wait to see your photo's !

[Barry Boor]

Here is Udo's picture:

[William Hunt]

Wow , that is a MARVELOUS picturer !

[William Hunt]

http://[IMG]minimoto.mitron.it/image004.gif[/IMG]

[William Hunt]

Who can help me with posting pictures ? I've just tried to post a picture of Tino Brambilla on a GP bike but failed.

[Ray Bell]

You had your [*IMG] in twice...

[McRonalds]

For all you 'Tino' fans out there: 'Tino' during his fine drive at the F2 event at pergusa '68 where he finished 3rd - in one of the closest F2 races ever.

[LittleChris]

Must admit, I've never before seen Tino without his glasses/Spectacles ! Apprently he was madder than Vittorio. Anyone know what he's doing now ?

[AaPee89]

Sorry to bump this old thread, but I haven't find a pratical solution than bumping this old thread, hehe.

Please, does someone can tell me how I can get in touch with Tino? I am wanting to get his autograph and, of course, ask him some questions. Thanks in advance!

[arttidesco]

If you can't get in touch with 'Tino' this item "may*" be of interest.

*As with all these 'items' caveat emptor is always a recommended way to proceed.

[Richard Jenkins]

Sad news coming out of Italy tonight is that Tino has passed away (I believe today). More - I'm sure - to come. RIP.

 

Edit - https://www.rmcmotor...IGB7qFWH5iRgyEU

Edited by Richard Jenkins, 03 August 2020 - 21:22.

[wolf sun]

That‘s sad. I‘ve always had a soft spot for the Brambilla brothers, possibly helped by the fact that I had a model car of Vittorio‘s March 761 as a boy.

 

RIP Tino, hope you‘re having a bit of a scrap on two or four wheels with your brother!

[Jahn1234567890]

Sad news indeed.

 

A very capable driver on both two and four wheels. RIP Tino.

[JacnGille]

Sad news

[SamoanAttorney]

It has been reported in the Italian media that Ernesto "Tino" Brambilla has passed away at his Monza home, aged 86.

 

[SamoanAttorney]

Apologies for the double post, I did search but missed the original notification - it did surprise me as this place is usually on the ball.

[Parkesi]

Molto triste.

I was lucky to meet him in October 2018 and we had a long talk in a typical Italian bar vis-à-vis his home in Monza. He paid the many espressi.

I found an agile and strong-minded individual. He seemed to be very sure of himself regarding his technical expertise after working on bikes and cars his whole life.

He had a good relationship with Enzo Ferrari and the old man appreciated his feedback, even the negative judgements.

E.g. Brambilla was very critical concerning the 512 (too bulky, bad handling) and not afraid to let Enzo know.

Tino: "No, he didn`t always had the last word. Enzo Ferrari had an introverted character but he always treated me well.

Vittorio and I spent Christmas 1969 with him and his wife. In the same year there was a dinner with Ferrari, his son Piero and Piero`s mother".

With Mike Parkes he tested and fine-tuned the Dino 206 GT in ordinary traffic and a day at work was like this:

Monza/Maranello, pick up the car, TWICE Maranello - Napoli and back home to Monza in the evening (1750 miles). Quite a workload!

He lived his entire life doing what he knew best and seemed to be a happy and well-respected man in his hometown of Monza.

He spend endless hours at the famous race track and enjoyed every minute ot it - maybe except the DNQs in the Italian GPs 1963 & 1969.

I am not aware of a similar "marriage" in between a race track and a driver.

Tino Brambilla was born in Monza, lived, worked, raced in Monza and died in Monza.

R.I.P.

 

 

[eccolo]

Tino graciously agreed to spend several hours together in Monza about 10 years talking about the 1968 F2 Dino, one of which he drove that year and some of 1969. We met in his home which was over a bank which I believe occupies the space where he and Vittorio has their garage. A translator was essential and I suppose his low public profile was partly due to having never learned English.

He had kept meticulous notes in several journals about development of the cars covering engine to suspension tuning. When translation of technical details became difficult, he sketched his thoughts. Eventually, we stopped for a late lunch at the Hotel de Ville where management and waiters made a fuss over him. He declined wine, coffee and desert and looked like he had been on a health regimen all his life.

A lovely man. Great memory, mentally sharp, very serious about his motor racing, generous with his time. My impression is that he and Vittorio were regarded as true sons of Monza and they raced for their hometown as much as for themselves.

My condolences to his family. Racing has lost a larger figure than it probably knows.

[E1pix]

Lovely posts, Thank You.