VeloceToday.com

The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts

Le Mitiche a Bassano, June 21-23, 2013

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The Riboldi/Sabbadini Fiat 508 Morettini which won first place honors.

Story and photos by Dino Brunori (Author of Enrico Nardi, A Fast Life)

This year the 19th edition of Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano sadly took place without the event founders, Danilo and Renato Calmonte, the brothers who invented the gathering of barchetta in Bassano. Both died last year just a few months apart, and we all missed their presence. But the seed they planted is now a strong tree and this year, 75 friends from all over the world –from Israel to Argentina, from USA to Emirates — came to Italy to make Bassano the capital of sports car enthusiasts for a very special three days in June. The Calmonte brothers can be very proud of what they’ve done. [Read more…] about Le Mitiche a Bassano, June 21-23, 2013

Frank Burrell and General LeMay Part 2

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LeMay, center, with Frank Burrell on his left, looking over the Warner J2X. Courtesy Barry Burrell.

By Eric Davison

In Part 1 of the Frank Burrell story, Davison tells us how Burrell was Cadillac’s secret weapon, the guy behind the scenes, modifying and supplying Cadillac engines to race car mechanics and owners. And here the plot thickens, as Burrell meets another Allard enthusiast, one General Curtis LeMay and moves on to GM.

Yet another Allard owner and friend of Frank Burrell was General Curtis B. LeMay. LeMay was an Allard owner and he was directed to Burrell after he made inquiries to Cadillac about achieving more performance in his J2X.

Burrell receives his award after placing 8th overall at Sebring in 1950 with Fred Wacker. Burrell rarely raced, but did well when he did! Courtesy Barry Burrell.

While LeMay did not drive himself, he was known to get grease under his fingernails in preparation. During his ownership period, Fred Warner drove his car in several events.

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Pikes Peak to Peugeot! In English and Italian

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Loeb and Peugeot exceeded all expectations at Pikes Peak.

By Roberto Motta
Photo courtesy by Peugeot Sport and Red Bull Motorsport

Other articles on the subject:
Peugeot Heads for the Hill

History of Peugeot at Pikes Peak

At the Peak with Bobby Unser

On June 30th, Sébastien Loeb and the 208 T16 Peugeot “Pikes Peak” shattered the record for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, with a staggering time of 8 minutes 13.878 seconds. Loeb, known by his fans as the “Cannibal”, devoured opponents along the 20 miles and 156 curves of the hill climb with an average speed of 145 kph. [Read more…] about Pikes Peak to Peugeot! In English and Italian

Dana Point Concours d’Elegance

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Ferrari Pinin Farina 212 Export

The Right Stuff...Dana Point attracted the magnificent Ferrari Pinin Farina 212 Inter. It was the second Ferrari to be clothed by Pinin Farina.


By Wallace Wyss
Photographs by Ric Bartholomew

The 31st Dana Point Concours d’Elegance, held on June 23rd, was a success. A good part of that success is due to the selection of the right cars.

What does “right” mean? Well, for instance, I was able to see Ken and Dayle Roath’s 1952 Ferrari Pinin Farina 212 Inter Cabriolet in person. The car is interesting to me because I figure it was one of the first “Gran Touring” Ferraris ever imported to the U.S. There’s a famous picture of it with the New York skyline in back of it. [Read more…] about Dana Point Concours d’Elegance

Gordini Book Contest and Features This Week, 6-27, 2013

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This is it!

IF you are a Premium Subscriber and would like a chance to win this book, you have until Sunday, June 30th, at 12 midnight EDT USA, to send me an email (vack@cox.net) with your name (mailing address optional). All entries will be put into a box and drawing will be made on Monday. The winner will receive a new copy of Amédée Gordini–a true racing legend provided by the publisher, Veloce Publishing. Shipping will be paid by VeloceToday.com.

The winner will be announced in the July 4th edition of VeloceToday.com. All decisions are final.

Coming next: Win a new copy of the book, Maserati Zagato by Walter Bäumer, provided courtesy of Dalton Watson Publishing! Again only Premium Subscribers are eligible to participate in the drawing.

Fulvias at Goodwood, Alfas at Brooklands, PF at Hurtwood

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Three events, hundreds of cars, but this is very special.

Stories and Photos by Jonathan Sharp

When you consider the amount of classic car and race meetings that I am able to attend during the all-too-brief British summer season, to say that I am blessed would be an understatement. Events range from Goodwood and Silverstone to the small gatherings in fields and local club pub meets. They all have their own unique charm. It’s just a bit unfortunate sometimes that they all seem to follow one another, often with very short intervals in between; a bit like buses, you wait all winter long and then several events come along at once, as the three described here.

Lancia Di Lambda at Goodwood.

Fulvias at Goodwood
A message from one friend to another, asking “…are you going to the Fulvia 50th meeting at Goodwood on Saturday, May25th for the 50 years of the Fulvia?” I attended the Fulvia 25th Anniversary in my 1.3 Coupe. Can that really be 25 years ago?

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Frank Burrell and the Cad-Allard Part 1 of 2

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Wacker with the Burrell-prepared Allard at Watkins Glen. Frank Burrell is standing behind Wacker's right shoulder.

By Eric Davison
All photo courtesy of Barry Burrell and the Allard Register

Eric Davison, who originally hails from the Detroit area, witnessed the birth of sports car racing from a unique perspective; his father was an early SCCA member who traveled to Watkins Glen every year with his son, driving exciting cars like the drop dead gorgeous British Squire. Davison has not only written a series of eight chapters on those years for VeloceToday, but continually brings us new and interesting stories about the pioneers of the sports car movement.

While we are all familiar with the use of Cadillac engines in the Cunningham cars at Le Mans, the famous Cad Allards and the Frick Vignales, little is known of Cadillac’s behind the scenes involvement with the sport, encouraged by the team of Ed Cole, Harry Barr and the subject of this article, Frank Burrell. With the help of Frank’s son Barry, Davison traces the little-known involvement of GM’s Cadillac division which was looking for ways to bring the excitement of speed to their flagship luxury car. [Ed.] [Read more…] about Frank Burrell and the Cad-Allard Part 1 of 2

Erwin Goldschmidt

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Frank Burrell with Cal Connell of Detroit Racing Equipment sitting in the Goldschmidt Allard. The Burrell-modified Allard helped Goldschmidt win the 1950 Watkins Glen Grand Prix.

By Pete Vack

“I have to say, that despite all, I liked Erwin Goldschmidt.” Cameron Argetsinger had the opportunity to know the flying Allard driver better than most others. In fact, it was Argetsinger who gave Goldschmidt the opportunity to race at Watkins Glen. [Read more…] about Erwin Goldschmidt

The Truth about Spiders

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By Gijsbert-Paul Berk

The Attraction of Spiders
This is not about the eight-legged arachnids – of which some species can be poisonous – but about four wheeled automobiles that appeal to the instincts of sporting men and women.

Driving an open sportscars without a roll bar can of course also be dangerous. But, as someone once remarked “driving a low and powerful machine with the wind blowing over your skull, is one of the most exhilarating sensations you can have with your pants on”. It is also one of the best ways to stop smoking.
[Read more…] about The Truth about Spiders

Interview with Marc Sonnery

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Marc Sonnery (Copyright Haymarket)

Marc Sonnery (Copyright Haymarket)

Marc Sonnery

By Wallace Wyss

[We’ll have a review of the latest book by Marc Sonnery next week]

Marc Sonnery, age 48, half French and half Swedish, is a fit and well-groomed author who is ready to travel the globe in his quest to write about his favorite marque, Maserati. His name was seen in CAVALLINO for ten years, where he wrote about Ferraris, but in the 1990’s he began researching Maseratis and now spends most of his waking hours researching the history of various models. So it is that he recently authored a book on the Maserati models built when Citroen owned Maserati as well as the Citroën SM. I met with him during Sonnery’s California publicity swing and had an opportunity to do a short interview.
[Read more…] about Interview with Marc Sonnery

InterEuropa 2013, In English and Italian

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Paul Hocking/Jasper Izaks drove this Simca Abarth 2000.

Story and Photos by Roberto Motta

Over the weekend of 31 May to 2 June, the Autodromo di Monza played host to the 61st edition of the Coppa Intereuropa. More than 350 racing cars were involved in dozens of races, as well as a series of events and parades to celebrate the 50th year of the 911th Porsche and the 50th year since the founding of Autodelta.
[Read more…] about InterEuropa 2013, In English and Italian

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