In Part I , Estanislao Iacona set the background for the series of three races which were held in Argentina in 1947. The races would eventually be called "La Temporada", (The Season) and attracted Europe's finest drivers. Today, Estanislao brings to light the results of the first race, held on February 9th.

Achille Varzi, calm, cool and collected, was Villoresi's main competiton during the Temporada races of 1947. He would lose his life later that year at the Swiss Grand Prix.

"A race machine is like a fiancée's dress. It is done, tested and then stored until the wedding. Otherwise, the fiancée will be adding crests and pins or changing things all the time. Our machines should be treated the same way. The cars left Italy perfectly tuned, and we won't touch them until the race, just minor changes in the carburetion, and that's all". A sincere Achille Varzi, cigarette in hand, impeccable suit, two-tone shoes and perfectly combed hair, was quoted as such in "El Grafico" Nº 1435 of January 10th, 1947, during an interview in the large halls of the Automobile Club of Argentina.

"I dislike the nickel and the chrome in a race machine. A piece, hand made in the lathe, has the shine of the steel and shows the domain of man's hand over the matter. Why put nickel or chrome over it?" The smile always on his face, perfect suit and white hair, an effusive "Gigi" Villoresi also spoke with "El Grafico" prior to the race. His mount was a new Maserati of the Scuderia Ambrosiana, of which Count Johnny Lurani was the patron.

From left to right, Varzi's Alfa, Villoresi's Maserati, George Raph's Maserati 6C 1500, Pintacuda's Maserati, and Palmieri's Maserati line up in the car park-pits at Retiro.

. . . . . .

The first race - February 9th, 1947 - Automovil Club Argentino - Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires - Circuit of Retiro 2.410 meters.

Italian Solo

Three races would be held for Grand Prix cars or what were called in Argentina "Autos Especiales". The battle would be all Alfa vs. Maserati, and this was the line-up:

No	Driver	Car	Entrant
2	Italo Bizio	Alfa Romeo 2900 A	Italo Bizio
4	Francisco Culligham	Maserati 6CM 1.5	Francisco Culligham
6	Giacomo Palmieri	Maserati 6CM 1.5	Scuderia Milano
8	Juan Galvez	Alfa Romeo P3	Juan Galvez
12	Pablo L. Pesatti	Alfa Romeo 8C 35	Pablo L. Pesatti
14	Carlo Pintacuda	Maserati 4CL 1.5	Scuderia Milano
16	Luigi Villoresi	Maserati 4CL 1.5	Scuderia Ambrosiana
20	Oscar A. Galvez	Alfa Romeo 308 3.8	Oscar A. Galvez
22	George Raph	Maserati 6C 1.5	Écurie Naphtra Course
24	Francisco C. Landi	Alfa Romeo 308 3.0	Francisco C. Landi
26	Pascual Puoppolo	Maserati 8CL 3.0	Pascual Puoppolo
28	Achille Varzi	Alfa Romeo 308 3.0	Écurie NaphtraCourse
DNS	Amadeo Bignami	Maserati 6CM	Scuderia Milano
DNS	Enrico Plate	Maserati 4CL	Scuderia Milano

Scuderia Milano was supported by the wealthy Industrialist Italian Arialdo Ruggeri. The team brought several cars to Buenos Aires, two old 6CM Maseratis, and two new 4CL Maseratis. Their bet was the pre-war hero Carlo Pintacuda and young Giacomo Palmieri.

The Ambrosiana team belonged to Count Giovanni Lurani, who brought a new 4CL Maserati for young Italian star "Gigi" Villoresi.

We have already mention the "Naphtra Course" team. With Varzi driving, the team was a favorite to win.

The boys from Argentina occupied the first positions on the grid for the race. Juan Galvez took the pole right before the rain started, relegating the Italians to the second row.

Italo Domingo Bizio was driving an Alfa Romeo 2900A, well known in Argentina, but largely modified. The car was also an ex Scuderia Ferrari machine, with which Carlo Pintacuda had won at San Pablo (July 12th), Brazil, in 1936. Like all old racecars, the Alfa had an interesting history. After the races in Brazil, that also included a DNF of Pintacuda at Gavea, June 7th, the car was sold to wealthy Argentinean rising star Carlos D. Arzani. After a season with the car that included two victories, Arzani subsequently sold the car to Domingo Ochoteco. Ochoteco campaigned the car from 1937 to 1941, and after the war sold the car to Bizio. For 1947 the ex-Boticella had a special BODY done by Bizio himself, "alla tipo 308" and built in aluminum, and the engine raised to 3.1 liters (by Bizio).

Pablo Luis Pessatti also had an ex-Arzani Alfa Romeo 8C 35, yet another ex-Scuderia Ferrari car. In 1939, driving the Alfa, Arzani was Argentinean champion of "Velocidad Pista", winning all the races in which he took part, except for one. The car was then sold to Brazilian Artur Nascimento Junior, who drove it to a win at the inaugural race at the Interlagos circuit in Brazil in 1940. Ouldemar Da Silva Ramos was the next in the chain of owners. He drove the car to a second place in Retiro, Buenos Aires, in 1941. Ramos then sold the car to the Pessatti Bros., Miguel, Tomas and Pablo, the last being the driver.

Pascual Puoppolo entered his Maserati, a special 8CL 3.0 built by the Orsi family for Argentinean Raul Riganti to race at Indianapolis in 1939. Only two of these cars were built. Riganti`s luck was not good, and after only 60 miles he had a severe accident from which he miraculously survived. The Maserati was bought by the "Luna Park" organization, a kind of palace of sports that is still doing business in Buenos Aires. The owners of the "Luna Park" thought that racing the Maserati was a good way to promote their shows. Riganti was given the car to participate in some events, and later the car was sold in a raffle. This very special Maserati eventually landed in Puoppolo`s hands.

Summer time in Buenos Aires can mean hot days and menacing rain. On Saturday morning, a storm was brewing, and the drivers were anxious to start the qualifying sessions. One of the first cars that went out on the track was Juan Galvez in his Alfa P3, and after only three laps it started to rain. Juan set a lap of 1 22´, that compared to the 1 04´ that Villoresi achieved in practice on Friday. Nevertheless, his time held and Galvez won pole position on the grid, as the rest of the drivers had to qualify in pouring rain. On Sunday morning, side by side with Juan Galvez, was Italo Domingo Bizio with the Alfa 2900, then Giacomo Palmieri and Francisco Culligham, both with Maseratis. On the second row were the Italians, Villoresi (Maserati), Varzi (Alfa Romeo) and Carlo Pintacuda (Maserati).

The Master of the Temporada, "Gigi" Villoresi, at speed with the Maserati 4CL 1500.

The first International race in Argentina was now over. The race was well organized and a tremendous success, which would be well noted in Europe. A week later the cars and drivers met each other again, for the second round of the series.

Final Results

1	16	Luigi Villoresi (I)	Maserati 4CL (1.5 sc)	1h 4' 11'' 50
2	28	Achille Varzi (I)	Alfa Romeo 308 (3.0 sc)	1h 4' 12'' 50
3	24	Chico Landi (BR)	Alfa Romeo 308 (3.0 sc)	1h 4' 33'' 49
4	6	Giacomo Palmieri (I)	Maserati 6CM (1.5 sc)	1h 4' 43'' 48
5	12	Pablo Pessatti (RA)	Alfa Romeo 8C 35 (3.8 sc)	1h 4' 53'' 48

Race average (winner): 112.631 Km/h