12 auto italia
NEWS
The 2019 Midlands Italian Car Day (MITCAR) is being
held at the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works at Ryton
near Coventry on Saturday 31 August.
MITCAR was first established in 2001 by John Griffiths
(AROC) and Bryan Alexander (Ferrari OC), with the
gathering moving to a new venue each year. After a
very wet MITCAR in 2018 at Arbury Hall, this year
there’s a fully waterproof venue: JLR’s ex-Ryton works
in Coventry, now home to JLR Classic Works. It
incorporates an impressive classic car showroom, a
vast workshop with space for 480 cars, plus a huge car
collection that will also be open.
Outside, Italian cars will extend across two sites, all
on hard standing. Major Italian car clubs are invited,
with prizes for the best presented cars including the
fabled ‘Camshaft Trophy’ for the car of the day, as
chosen by public vote.
Parking space is restricted so admission is strictly by
advance ticket, at £5 per car. Opening times are 9am
to 3pm. Details and tickets available at MITCAR.co.ukMITCAR CONFIRMED
The Italian Quarter @ Gloucester Goes Retro takes
place on 24 August 2019 in Gloucester, and all Italian
vehicles are invited to attend. Cars will be shown
alongside the Victoria Basin in the historic Gloucester
Docks. The event runs from 10am to 5pm. For
information and entries, email
[email protected]
ITALIAN QUARTER
The world of motor sport is reeling from the death of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Niki Lauda on 20 May 2019, aged 70. For all his
many achievements, he will always be remembered most for his strength of character following his fiery accident during the 1976 German
Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. The reigning title-holder was on course to seal repeat honours with Scuderia Ferrari, only for the accident
almost to claim his life. He suffered third-degree burns to his head and face, and his lungs were seared, which led to him receiving the last
rites. The Austrian later claimed that hearing the priest’s words was the
catalyst for his recovery.
Few thought he would ever leave hospital, fewer still that he would ever
race again, yet he returned to competition barely 40 days later. He
finished fourth in the 1976 Italian Grand Prix, having voiced his displeasure
to the media that Ferrari had signed Carlos Reutemann to replace him.
Lauda had overcome family objections to become a racing driver, and
showed little in the way of promise in Formula 3 in 1970. He took out a
bank loan to fund a season in Formula 2 a year later. A ‘pay driver’ with
March and BRM, he attracted the attention of Ferrari, thanks in no small
part to Clay Regazzoni putting in a good word. Lauda won three F1 rounds
in 1974, before taking his first title a year later. In 1977, he claimed his
second crown, before moving to Brabham, which was then using Alfa
Romeo engines. He retired part way through the 1979 season to establish
Lauda Air, only to be tempted back by McLaren after two years away. He
won his third title in 1984 and retired again a year later, his legendary
status already assured. Richard HeseltineOBITUARY: NIKI LAUDA
The last remaining copies of Dealing in
Dreams, the autobiography of Ferrari
dealer John Collins of Talacrest, are
being offered to the public. Very few
copies now remain, and can be
obtained direct from
http://www.talacrest.com, with all
proceeds going to charity.Having been making uprated exhausts for the
Lamborghini Aventador since 2016, Valentino
Balboni has launched a new exhaust for the
Aventador SVJ. Weighing only 4.66kg, it’s made
entirely of titanium. Only 63 units will be made, 15
of which will be signed by Valentino Balboni.DEALING IN DREAMS
VALENTINO BALBONI’S
SVJ EXHAUST