Pete,
Just wondered if you were aware of the GTO apearance at the Castle Hill Concours in Ipswich Massachussetts last Sunday, 9/22? I have several pics you may use at your own discretion. If you are interested I would be glad to email them to an address.
Regards,
Howie Finn,
p.s. Nice publication, I thoroughly enjoy it.
Thanks, Howie,
Amazing how those GTOs get around. Yes, we’d enjoy a photo of the car and perhaps you can tell us a bit more about the event. Send them to Pete@Velocetoday.com.
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Dear Mr. Editor,
It was good to see a report on the Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti that was run around the Cortina d'Ampezzo a village as Mr. Gerelli describes it. Please note that the term “resort” would be more appropriate for this "village" as Cortina continues for more than a 100 years to be the favorite summer and winter hang-out --- in the early Fifties the "village hosted the Olympic Winter Games --- of the "old style Rich & Famous" in the Old Continent. Among the regular visitors of Cortina are the Agnelli's and Mr. Fresco, known from FIAT and General Electric, as well as the Fords!
In his article Gerelli mentions various personalities that were seen in Cortina at the time of the event, most prominently Phil Hill --- an American whom I met few weeks ago at Laguna Seca. I appreciated the fact that Hill (still) speaks the Italian language without any foreign accent. Bravo Mr. Phil, we still love you in Italy and do not forget what great Champion you were for the Scuderia! We are always honored when you visit Italy. However, Gerelli shies away of mentioning the presence --- although "in cognito" --- of Mr. Piero Lardi Ferrari.
While Gerelli seems overly optimistic about the weather conditions --- many participants drove under soakingly wet conditions in open cars during this revival. Surprisingly he omitted some Maseratis, among which I would notably mention that driven by Mr. Alberoni.
Regards,
Lorenzo Marchesini
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Dear Pete,
I read the article concerning the "La Coppa d'Oro delle Dolomiti." I attended the event and participated as a co-driver with Mr. Antonio Alberoni.
I didn’t see Mr.Phil Hill, but most probably I was still to busy at the restaurant with that perfect Italian food and wine. I did see Maria Teresa de Filipis. She talked a lot with Alberoni, (and happy owner of a 1956 Maserati 200S barchetta) while we were waiting for the start signal. In addition, Andrea Montermini (ex-official test driver of the Scuderia Ferrari) was there to receive a special acknowledgment. Perhaps of most interest, Mr. Piero Lardi Ferrari was also at the event. Just after our arrival at the finish lane, on the main street (Corso Italia) of Cortina d’Ampezzo, I saw him coming out of a shop. I jumped out of the car and spoke to him. He said he wasn’t there for the race but on a private holiday weekend. Just after I took a photo of him standing next to the Alberoni and the Maserati, he disappeared. No one else noticed him.
The race has been a wonderful experience, but it was raining for part of the event. I had to hide my road book under the dashboard. The fuel pump broke but fortunately we had one in reserve. The route consisted of a lot of ups and downs and hairpin corners. Just after the finish line Alberoni told me "My dear friend, this gearbox never worked so much as during this race." The sound of the engine of that car is like the one of a prelude to an Italian opera. Last but not least the scenery was wonderful. The "Dolomiti " (the Italian Rocky Mountains) are something very, very special.
Best personal regards,
Mario Marchesini
Mario has his entire village trying to get his photos scanned so he can send them to VeloceToday. We’ll keep you posted.
