11/08/2023 - 70TH ANNIVERSARY FROM THE DEATH

It was 11 August 1953 when Tazio Nuvolari, the unforgettable ace of motorcycles and cars, died in his house in via delle Rimembranze, in Mantua. On Friday 11 August 2023 at 11.00, the Automobile Club Mantova and the Tazio Nuvolari Museum with the participation of the Municipal Administration will commemorate the 70th anniversary of his death, placing a laurel wreath on the monument in Largo Pradella and hoping for a large participation worthy of the great Mantuan champion. On this occasion, the digital card will be delivered to all those present, with special contents, created by the partner of ACI Mantova Global Media Fabio di Castagna. On the same day the Tazio Nuvolari Museum, in via N. Sauro at the corner with via G. Romano, will remain open from 10.00 to 18.00.

Biography
Born in Castel d'Ario, in the Province of Mantua, on November 16, 1892, the son of wealthy landowners, Tazio Giorgio Nuvolari began his career as a sports driver in 1920. It was the First World War that delayed his debut in racing, which only happens at the age of 28, after having obtained the motorcycle racing license. And it is precisely by racing on a motorbike that he quickly achieves vast popularity. In 1924 he was the Italian Champion of the 500 with the Norton and in 1926 with the Bianchi 350, the legendary "Freccia Celeste" with which he won everything there was to win. Thus he becomes the champion of two wheels, but the car remains in his heart. In 1927 the choice was made for him to race by car but he would not give up entirely on the motorbike, which he would leave at the end of 1930. In the winter between 1927 and 1928 he founded the Scuderia Nuvolari in Mantua and raced on Bugattis with alternating fortunes. In 1930 Alfa Romeo offered him an official car, a 6C 1750 GS for the Mille Miglia. Tazio drives half of Italy crazy: he wins the great race and is the first driver to cover the 1600 kilometers of the track with an average speed of over 100. From that moment on, the "Flying Mantuan" builds his legend as an invincible driver, race after race. With the Alfas he collects an amazing series of victories in the most important competitions. To name just a few, the Targa Florio (1931,1932), the Coppa Ciano (1931,1932,1935,1936), the Mille Miglia again (1933), the Monaco Grand Prix (1932), the Italian Grand Prix (1931,1932,1938), the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1933), the Tourist Trophy (1930 and 1933), the Pau Grand Prix (1935). But his masterpiece was created on the Nurburgring track, where the German Grand Prix was held on 28 July 1935. The Germans are certain: the Mercedes and the Auto Unions will tear the Italians apart. But Nuvolari surprises them: with his old and tired Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3, after a spectacular comeback, he overtakes the Mercedes of Manfred Von Brauchitsch just before the finish line. The whole of Italy went crazy for him and even the Americans made him a hero when he won the prestigious Vanderbilt Cup in 1936 on the Roosevelt Field circuit. The Germans did more by offering him to race for Auto Union, a car in which Nuvolari obtained other memorable successes: the Italian and Donington Grands Prix in 1938 and the Yugoslavian Grand Prix in 1939. The war interrupted his career. When he resumed, he was given up for dead and he was tired and aged and didn't stop competing, even though he was over fifty by now and collected his latest victories. A little more than three years have passed since the last competition and what Ferdinand Porsche had called "the greatest driver of the past, present and future" crosses his last finish line at 6 in the morning on 11 August 1953.

During his long sporting life Nuvolari took part in no less than 340 competitions, 127 on a motorcycle and 213 on a car, conquering 91 overall and 70 class victories and recording 101 fastest laps. He has been European Champion 2 times (1 in motorbike and 1 in car), 7 times Italian Champion (2 in motorbike and 5 in car) and has conquered 5 international speed records, setting the mile record in 1935 launched at 323.125 km per hour. He was also involved in several serious accidents, sustaining injuries and fractures throughout his body. He risked being burned alive in the fire of his car or being crushed. But nothing ever stopped him. His exploits made him a legend.

The President
Alberto Marenghi

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