DRIVERS (B)
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Even with lots of work still do be done this list have reached a state
where it must be considered one of the most complete and accurate ever assembled on
the subject. This has only been possible due to the tremendous help from people
all over the world, each of them experts of their local drivers and events.
Short biographies of drivers with BLUE background, will come up in due time.
If you have any information about any driver with GREEN background, please
contact me!
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Valentino Babini (I) |
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* 1889 - † 27 Dec 1952
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1925: DNF Tripoli GP
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Emmanuel Eugène Baboin (F) |
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* 10 Dec 1910
† 1 Aug 1972 |
Saint-Uze, Drôme
Bron, Rhône |
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Winner of the 1926 Limonest- Mont Verdun hill climb.
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| (Info supplied by André Reine) |
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1927: DNF Marne GP
1930: DNF Comminges (Voiturette)
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lo Baldo - SEE: Lo Baldo
Renato Balestrero (I) |
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* 27 Jul 1898
† 18 Feb 1948
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Lucca, Toscana
near Milano |
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Renato Balestrero born in Lucca but a Genoa resident, was a very busy
and successful racer whose career spanned 25 years and included over 200
races. Balestrero started racing in 1924 with an OM. The list of his
best placings is exemplary of a solid and quick semi-professional driver
of the Italian school, with victories in some of the Italian classic
races, such as Montenero, Pescara and Tripoli. He won the 1st Libyan
Grand Prix driving a 2.0L O.M. as early as 1925 and then raced Bugattis
during 1927.
He slowed down his racing activity for a while, when he
started an import business of American cars in partnership with the
great Nando Minoia, which did not go very well. So, Balestrero moved up
to international racing in 1933/34 when he drove for Gruppo Genovese San
Giorgio, and and also raced his Alfa Romeo "Monza" which he purchased in 1933.
Balestrero entered the new Monza in the 1934 Mille Miglia and placed a creditable
sixth co-driving with Sanguinetti. Balestrero later sold the car to Uboldi Martini,
but borrowed the Monza in April to enter the Mille Miglia, again with Sanguinetti,
and again placed sixth. In December of 1935, Balestrero bought the car back from
Martini and immediately sold it to Giovanni de Rham, who transferred ownership
to his brother Giacomo.
From 1935 on he raced an Alfa Romeo Tipo B, entering it among other races in
AVUS, Eifel GP
and German GP 1937. Then he raced Belmondo's
Alfa Romeo 308 in 1938. He came back to Italian races after the war with a third in a Fiat 1100
at Genoa in 1946. Then in 1947 Benevento 3rd (Fiat 1100), Sanremo and
Bari 3rd (Alfa Romeo Monza), MM 9th (Fiat 1100) with Bracco. He was 1947
Italian Champion for the unlimited sports car class, winning his class
at Vercelli, Aosta-Gran San Bernardo, Voghera, Sanremo hill climb,
Piacenza and Varese, all in the Fiat-Stanguellini 2800 8C.
Renato Balestrero died in 1948 in an accident near Milan on the Turin
Autostrada. Balestrero had obtained from the Alfa Romeo factory a 6C
marine engine which he was carrying in his car to bring it to Nardi in
Torino to be mounted in a new ND sports car. He had stopped on a road side
and had come out of his car to show his load to a police patrol when he
was hit by another car, a Lancia Aprilia belonging to sports daily
La Gazzetta dello Sport. Balestrero fell and received a fractured skull. He died soon afterwards.
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva / Hans Etzrodt / Markus Neugebauer) |
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1924: 2 Mugello Circuit (2000cc)
1925: DNC Rome GP (2000cc) /
1 Tripoli GP (2000cc) /
DNA Alessandria GP /
5 Targa Florio /
DNF Savio Circuit (2000cc) /
1 Coppa Etna /
2 Coppa Acerbo (2000cc) /
1 Coppa Vinci (2000cc) /
5 Coppa Montenero (2000cc) /
18 Garda Circuit
1926: 7 Targa Florio /
1 Coppa Vinci /
3 Coppa Etna /
? Coppa del Marchese Ginori /
DNA European GP /
DNA Coppa Montenero /
DNA Garda Circuit
1927: 2 Tripoli GP /
DNF Pozzo Circuit (2000cc) /
DNF Targa Florio /
2 Coppa Messina /
2 Coppa Perugina /
3 Rome GP (2000cc) /
DNA Bologna Circuit
1928: DNS Coppa Acerbo
1929: 1 Camaiore Cup /
10 Coppa Ciano
1930: DNF Targa Florio
1931: 7* Italian GP /
2 Rome GP (2000cc) /
DNS Coppa Ciano /
8 Coppa Acerbo /
6 Monza GP (2000cc)
1932: 9 Coppa Ciano
1933: 6 (heat) Bordino GP /
6 Tripoli GP /
2 Targa Florio /
DSQ Lwow GP /
6 Coppa Ciano /
9 Italian GP
5 Monza GP /
8 Czech GP
1934: DNF Monaco GP /
DNF (heat) Bordino GP /
10 Tripoli GP /
4 Targa Florio /
7 Marne GP /
DNF German GP /
DNF Coppa Ciano /
DNF Swiss GP /
5 Biella GP /
DNF Algier GP
1935: 5 Targa Florio /
DNF Tunis GP /
DNF Tripoli GP /
DNF AVUS GP /
DNF Eifel GP /
DNF (heat) Turin GP /
DNF German GP /
12 Swiss GP /
DNF Lucca GP /
4 Cosenza GP
1936: DNF Tripoli GP
1937: 5 (heat) AVUS GP /
DNF Eifel GP /
DNF German GP /
DNF Czech GP
1938: 7 German GP
1939: 11 Tripoli (Voiturette) /
DNA Targa Florio (Voiturette)
1940: 12 Tripoli (Voiturette) /
10 Targa Florio (Voiturette)
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Vernon Stuart Balls (GB) |
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* 1 Aug 1887
† 25 Jan 1975 |
Clapham Park, London
Wimbledon, London |
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In 1924, Vernon Balls of Fulham, later of Holborn, was a main Amilcar dealer at hammersmith. He was recognised as being the leading Amilcar racing driver
at Brooklands in the 1920s. Raced Austin Seven(1930-31) and Amilcar (from 1923 to 1930) cars in 1932 Crossley and in 1933 OM cars and Brooklands and
sometimes doing hillclimbs. A leading driver at the Greenford speedway (trotting oval) in 1928 and 1929. Took part in the early midget car meetings in 1934.
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| (Info supplied by Richard A. Salomon, Richard Armstrong & Adam Ferrington) |
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1926: DNC JCC 200 (1100cc)
1927: 2c/3 JCC 200 (1100cc)
1932: DNA Empire Trophy (Voiturette)
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Marcel Lucien Balsa (F) |
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* 1 Jan 1909
† 11 Aug 1984 |
Saint-Frion, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Maisons-Alfort, Île-de-France |
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Started off with motorcycles. Private Bugatti driver. Raced also Delahayes,
and Talbots. After the war he was back with the Bugatti at the 1945 Coup de Liberation and
Coup de Prisonniers finishing 5th in the latter.
In 1946 he raced a Talbot in Nice, a Bugatti in Marseille and a Maserati in St Just-Andrezieux.
In 1947 he raced a Talbot for Henri Marin in Marseille and Nimes.
Later he raced a BMW engined special mostly in local events, being fourth in Luxembourg GP 1949.
His only World Championship race being the 1952 German GP where he retired.
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1939: DNF Pau GP
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Sergio Banti (I) |
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* 27 Dec 1906
† 1970s |
Firenze (Florence)
? |
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Landowner from Tavernelle Val di Pesa in the heart of the Chianti
district. Banti was a busy sports car racer in the late 1930s with
scuderia Maremmana, a racing team owned by his lifelong friend Jacques
de Rham. He made a sporadic come back in 1946/1947. His means of making
a living, besides periodically selling chunks of his land, are unknown.
Based in Rome, Banti "a natural PR man" held several positions within
the Italian Automobile Club (ACI), the last as head of the Karting
subcommittee in the early 1960s. Banti died in the early 1970s.
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1936: 8 Milan GP /
4 Lucca GP /
DNF Lucca (Voiturette)
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Ferdinando "Nando" Barbieri (I) |
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* 29 Aug 1907
† 8 Oct 1997 |
Genova (Genua)
Genova (Genua) |
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Several enthusiasts in Genoa had the good habit of buying fast cars to
be driven by otherwise forcedly inactive young prospects. In 1933 a man
called Capredoni or Capreolini purchased a 1.1L 4CM Maserati for young
Barbieri, who reciprocated by winning the voiturette race at Montenero
and finishing second from W. Straight at Pescara. In this way Barbieri
came into notice of Scuderia Ferrari, who entered him for the tragic
Monza GP and paired him with Comotti for a victory in the gruelling
Principessa di Piemonte sports car race, late in the season. Barbieri
was kept by the Prancing Horse for 1934, when he won the Parma-Poggio di
Berceto hill climb and finished second in the Targa Florio and at the
Stelvio hillclimb race. In 1935 Barbieri drove for another wealthy man
from Genoa, Franco Sardi, who entered a Alfa Romeo Tipo B and and a 4CM
1.5L Maserati, while in 1936 and 1937 yet another rich enthusiast, the
Italo-Swiss Giacomo de Rham, signed Barbieri for his Scuderia Maremmana.
After the folding of de Rham's outfit, Barbieri disappeared from
rosters. This underrated and forgotten driver was indeed quick and
reliable. He made a big impression on the French press for his unlucky
forceful showing at Albi in 1935 and was termed a "Grand Champion".
Nando Barbieri seems to have quit after 1937, when Scuderia Maremmana stopped racing.
Not to be confused with Guido Barbieri.
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1932: DNA Coppa Ciano
1933: 7 (heat) Bordino GP /
13 Tripoli GP /
1 Coppa Ciano (Voiturette 1100cc) /
2 Coppa Acerbo (Voiturette 1100cc) /
DNF (heat) Monza GP
1934: 2 Targa Florio /
5 Coppa Ciano /
4 Modena GP
1935: 3 Targa Florio /
DNF Tunis GP /
DNF Tripoli GP /
DNF Bergamo GP /
6 (heat) AVUS GP /
DNF Eifel (Voiturette) /
4 (heat) Turin GP /
1/DNF (heat) Albi (Voiturette) /
DNF Coppa Ciano /
DNA Coppa Acerbo (Voiturette) /
DNF Nice GP /
DNF Swiss GP /
DNA Swiss GP (Voiturette) /
DNF Modena GP (Voiturette) /
DNF (heat) Lucca GP
1936: DNF Tripoli GP /
DNA Milan (Voiturette) /
DNA Albi (Voiturette) /
DNF Lucca GP /
3 Lucca (Voiturette) /
5 Modena GP /
DNF Modena (Voiturette)
1937: DNA Turin GP (Voiturette) /
DNF Tripoli GP /
DNF Targa Florio (Voiturette) /
DNF Florence GP (Voiturette) /
4 Genua GP (Voiturette) /
DNA Milan (Voiturette) /
DNF (heat) San Remo (Voiturette) /
DNA Lucca (Voiturette) /
DNF (heat) Campione D'Italia (Voiturette)
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Frederick Stanley Barnes (GB) |
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* 16 Nov 1900
† 2 Jun 1978. |
Stourbridge, Worcestershire
St. Leonards, East Sussex |
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Stanley Barnes was the older brother of Donald Barnes. Lived in Bromsgrove. Raced from the 1920s into the early 1930s.
Also took part in the 24h Le Mans.
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| (Info supplied by Adam Ferrington) |
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1932: DNS Eifel GP (Cyclecar)
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James Donald Barnes (GB) |
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* 12 Jul 1904
† 10 Apr 1970 |
Stourbridge, Worcestershire
Blakedown, Worcestershire |
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Donald Barnes was the younger brother of Stanley Barnes.
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| (Info supplied by Jean-Charles Colombier/Adam Ferrington) |
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1932: 1 AVUS (Cyclecar)
1933: 6 AVUS (Voiturette)
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Arthur Baron (GB) |
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* 13 Feb 1909
† 24 Nov 1998 |
Southall, Middlesex
Frimley, Surrey |
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Son to a garage owner. Did some hill climb racing in the 1930s and 1940s.
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1936: 14* Donington GP
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Salvatore "Totò" Barresi (I) |
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From Catania, Sicily.
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1926: DNF Coppa Etna
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Ciro B. Basadonna (CH/I) |
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* 30 June 1906
† 7 Oct 2009 |
Torino (Turin)
Ginevra (Geneva) |
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Basadonna was born in Turin, but was a Geneva resident and the holder
of a Swiss licence. He had been behind many differently named racing
outfits from that city .
In 1938 he had founded Ecurie Helvetia with
Quadri, Hug and de Graffenried. He delt in cars in Geneva, where he
imported in different times Maseratis, Altas, Cisitalias and Lancias.
Basadonna often acted as a middleman between organizers and
drivers/teams and was the Penya Rhin official representative from 1948 to
1954. Started racing in 1928. Not a particulary quick driver he became known in 1937 when he raced
a Maserari 4CM Voiturette under the
Ecurie Helvetica banner. In 1946, he continued racing a Maserati 4CL entered by the Swiss
Ecurie Autosport and finished second at the Penya Rhin GP that year.
He was a great friend of Dusio and his associate in pre-war years ? he
acted as Dusio's textile business agent in Argentina - and would later
be involved in the 1.1 litre Cisitalia project early in 1947, quitting
racing after that for many years.
Basadonna's main achievements as a driver would come much later, with
victories in the 1954 Monte Carlo Rally (with Chiron) and the 1958
Acropolis Rally (with Gigi Villoresi), both in Lancia Aurelia GTs.
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva & Hans Etzrodt) |
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1928: DNF Alessandria GP
1931: DNA Geneva GP (Voiturette)
1937: 7 Turin GP (Voiturette) /
11 Napels (Voiturette) /
DNA Frontières (Voiturette) /
6 AVUS (Voiturette) /
DNC Albi (Voiturette) /
4 (heat) Campione D'Italia (Voiturette)
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Bastia - SEE: Marsengo Bastia
Giovanni "Gianni" Battaglia (I) |
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* 9 Aug 1893
† 28 Mar 1949 |
Luino, Varese
Varese |
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Battaglia, mainly a hillclimb specialist for what car racing is
concerned came from Luino, Varese near the Lago Maggiore.
Formerly a bicycle and motorcycle racer, he picked up motor car racing
in 1927. In that year he had been proclaimed Italian National Champion
for the 350cc motorcycle class, topping the likes of Nuvolari, Varzi,
Gnesa and Moretti.
He scored good results in the Mille Miglia driving his personal Alfa
Monzas: 4th in 1933 and 1934, 3rd in 1935. He later drove borrowed
Maserati voiturettes until retirement in 1938, although Battaglia's best
achievement in the 40 car races he entered, is considered his victory
in the 1931 Aosta-Gran San Bernardo hill climb, with an impressive
record time.
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1933: 8 Tripoli GP /
5 Coppa Ciano
1934: DNF (heat) Bordino GP /
DNF Tripoli GP /
DNF Targa Florio
1936: 10 Tripoli GP /
9 Milan GP /
3 Lucca GP /
6 Modena GP
1938: DNF Tripoli (Voiturette) /
4 Targa Florio (Voiturette) /
DNF Napels (Voiturette) /
DNA Varese (Voiturette)
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Attilio Battilana (I) |
|
Most of the Genova racing drivers, with the exception of
N. Barbieri, Bianco and Berrone, organized themselves into a racing outfit
called the Gruppo Genovese San Giorgio for the 1934 racing season. The
driving force behind this endeavour was Renato Balestrero and the
finance was in charge of an inevitable wealthy enthusiast, Cesare
Sanguinetti. Sanguinetti owned a score of 8C Alfa Monzas, but raced
sporadically. Balestrero had resumed with serious racing in 1933 and
pooled his Monza with those of Sanguinetti. The other drivers involved
were Luigi Beccaria, Arnaldo Sciutti and Attilio Battilana and also
probably Clemente Biondetti.
Battilana hailed from Chiavari, near Genova, and had purchased in 1933 a
8C Alfa which he co-raced with Balestrero in the Milla Miglia and in
other local races before selling it at the end of the year. He also
owned, very likely in partnership with Beccaria, one or maybe two GP
Bugattis. He raced one of Sanguinetti's Monzas in 1934, while in 1935 he
partnered Beccaria in racing the latter's very fast Fiat Balilla 508
Spider, in long distance and in voiturette races.
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1933: 4 Tripoli GP /
6 (heat) Monza GP /
DNF Czech GP
1934: DNF Targa Florio /
? German GP
1935: DNF Targa Florio /
DNA Eifel GP
1936: DNS Tripoli GP
1937: DNA Genua GP (Voiturette) /
DNA San Remo (Voiturette)
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Anton "Toni" Bauhofer (D) |
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* 25 Jan 1892
† 10 Jan 1968 |
München (Munich)
München (Munich) |
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Motorcycle racer "Toni" Bauhofer was known as a fair sportsman, and a good driver with excellent technicial ability.
he was born in München (Munich) in 1892. During World War I he served as a volunteer flying reconnaissance and later fighter planes.
Continues as a ppilot after the war. Participated in the development of Megola motorcycle engine.
Started his career in 1921 with a Megola. Won the 1000-cc class of the German Road Championship in 1924. From 1925 to 1929 he raced BMW motorcycles as works driver and won the 1000cc class of the
German Championship in 1928. From 1929 - 1935 he raced for DKW winning the 500cc German Championship in 1930 & 1932. he also raced DKW cycle cars.
Ended his racing career after a crash duing practice for the 1935 Feldberg hillclimb where he broke his tight. Then managed the DKW racing department for two years.
Recieved the ADAC sports badge with diamonds in 1961.
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1931: DNF German GP (1100cc)
1932: DNF AVUS (Cyclecar) /
? Eifel GP (Cyclecar)
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Maurice Henry Baumer (GB) |
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* 17 Nov 1900
† 20 Jun 1975 |
Walmer, Kent
Bourne End, Buckinghamshire |
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Raced a M.G. Magnette at the voiturette class of the 1935 Dieppe GP.
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| (Info supplied by Jean-Charles Colombier) |
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1933: DNC* Mannin Beg (Voiturette)
1935: DNF Dieppe (Voiturette)
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Walter Bäumer (D) |
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* 17 Oct 1908
† 29 Jun 1941 |
Bünde, Westfalen (Westphalia)
between Herford and Bünde |
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Bäumer took on motorcycle racing in 1928. He showed great promise
as driver winning 12 races but after an accident he turned to racing cars instead, racing
0.75 litre Dixi and BMW against his main rival Kohlrausch.
Bäumer was also called "Walter von der Wartburg" because he used to drive the BMW Wartburg.
From 1932 to 1935, Bäumer dominated that class in mountain races with an Austin 747 cc racing car and sports car
0.75 litre class in German sports and hillclimbs. In 1935, he raced also a MG K3 Magnette.
In 1937, he took the class victory at Shelsley Walsh and Freiburg. A test drive for Mercedes-Benz
made him a reserve driver for the team between 1937 and 1939. Tested a Mercedes-Benz W125 during
practice for the German GP 1937. During this period, there was little activity for him so that his true potential was
never revealed. His greatest moment came at the 1940 Mille Miglia when he won the race together with von
Hanstein. Bäumer died 1941 in a freak accident on the road between Herford and his hometown Bünde at an age of 32.
Bäumer was being kissed by a female passenger when the car door opened in a corner and Bäumer fell out on a field, receiving fatal wounds in his neck from a sharp wooden object.
|
| (Info supplied by Hans Etzrodt and Walter Bäumer Jr.) |
|---|
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1932: 4 AVUS (Cyclecar) /
DNF Eifel GP (Cyclecar) /
DNF German GP (Cyclecar)
1933: DNF AVUS (Voiturette) /
? Eifel (Cyclecar)
1934: DNF AVUS (Voiturette)
1935: DNA Coppa Acerbo (Voiturette) /
DNS? Swiss GP (Voiturette) /
1936: 5 Eifel (Voiturette) /
6 Swiss GP (Voiturette)
1937: DNS German GP /
DNF (heat) Swiss GP (Voiturette)
1938: DNF* German GP /
DNS/10* Swiss GP /
DNF Donington GP
1939: DNS French GP /
DNF* Belgrad GP
1940: 1* Mille Miglia (Sports car)
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Werner Bäumer (D) |
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* 4 Dec 1909
† 20 Apr 1972 |
Bünde, Westfalen (Westphalia)
? |
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Werner Bäumer was a motorcycle racer alongside his older brother Walter.
Later he became Walter's manager and business adviser.
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1932: ? Eifel GP (Cyclecar)
1934: DNF AVUS (Voiturette)
1936: DNS Eifel (Voiturette)
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"Bauru" - SEE: Amaral jr.
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Francis Bayard (F) |
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1938: DNA Pau GP
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Adolf William Karl "Bill" von der Becke (GB) |
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* 18 Apr 1907
† 7 Mar 1979 |
Handsworth, Staffordshire
Cropthorne, Worcestershire |
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1935: NC* Donington GP
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Maurice Joseph Jules Bécquet (F) |
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* 10 May 1889
† 3 Feb 1943 |
Sainte-Adresse, Le Havre
Deauville |
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1926: DNS Provence GP
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Bègue - SEE: Le Bègue
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Richard Robert Michael "Mike" Milbank, Marquis de Belleroche (GB) |
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* 20 Feb 1909
† 9 Dec 1976 |
Martock, Somerset
Blythburgh, Suffolk |
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"Mike" Milbank's ancestors had fled to England in 1685 from Louis XIV's persecution of Huguenots.
Photographer.
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1932: DNF German GP (Cyclecar)
1937: DNF* Campbell Trophy
|
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Luigi Bellucci (I) |
|
* 19 Mar 1905
† ? |
Napoli (Naples)
? |
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|
Amateur driver from Naples, he raced Maserati
voiturettes and after the war Lancia Aprilia specials and Maseratis
A6GCS until the late 50s. A successful driver in local hillclimbs and
Italian road races, his major international achievements are probably
his 3rd positioons in the 1948 F2 and 1954 sportscars Naples GPs on a Lancia
Aprilia Spl. and on a Maserati A6GCS respectively.
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1938: 4* Napels (Voiturette)
1939: 7 Napels (Voiturette)
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Auguste Paul Benazet né Guizard (F) |
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* 13 Jun 1907
† 6 Dec 1971 |
Paris 14e
Bois-Le-Roi, Seine-Et-Marne |
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Paul Benazet shared a Delahaye 135 CS with "Jacques Seylair" for the
1937 season.
|
| (Info supplied by André Reine) |
|---|
| | | |
1937: 5 Frontières GP
|
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Aldo Benedetti (I) |
|
* 23 Sep 1901
† 6 Jan 1975 |
Firenze (Florence)
Firenze (Florence) |
|---|
|
Garagiste Aldo Benedetti was a builder of Fiat-engined specials. Benedetti's workshop was
the Garage Bologna in Via Fiesolana. His brother Elio was a builder of Specials as well, one of his cars winning
the 750cc class at the 1950 Mille Miglia. Aldo would be the winner of the 1949 Tour of Sicily, co-driving a Ferrari
with Clemente Biondetti.
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
|---|
| | | |
1937: DNS Florence GP (Voiturette)
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Jean Bénéjean (F) |
|
French, living in Algeria. Bought a ex-Marcel Lehoux Bugatti T51. Only raced once, at the 1934 Picardie GP where
he lost control when braking for the sharp Chicane de Brie. The car rolled over and the luckless driver was
thrown out, suffering injuries that made him lose a leg.
|
| (Info supplied by Jimmy Piget) |
|---|
| | | |
1934: DNF Picardie GP
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Enrico Benini (I) |
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* 25 Dec 1905
† 13 Apr 1930 |
Firenze (Florence)
? |
|---|
|
Died during the 1930 Mille Miglia when as co-driver of an Alfa Romeo 1750SS driven by Count Vinci crashed against a bridge parapet.
He died a few hours later in hospital.
|
| | | |
1928: 5 Mugello Circuit
1929: 3 Mugello Circuit (2000cc) /
9 Coppa Ciano
|
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Joseph Dudley Benjafield (GB) |
|
* 6 Aug 1887
† 21 Jan 1957 |
Edmonton, Middlesex
Marylebone, London |
|---|
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|
| (Info supplied by Adam Ferrington) |
|---|
| | | |
1927: DNF JCC 200 (1100cc)
1928: 5 Grand Prix Bugatti
|
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Hans Gunnar Bennström (S) |
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* 4 May 1914
† 9 Sep 1963 |
Linde, Västmanland
Stockholm |
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|
| (Info supplied by Håkan Gelin) |
|---|
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1937: DNF Flaten (Ice race)
|
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Sven Olof "Olle" Bennström (S) |
|
* 16 May 1904
† 31 May 1968 |
Rättvik, Vikarbyn, Dalarna
Västerås, Västmanland |
|---|
|
Born in the county of Dalarna. The family moved to Västerås in 1914. Winner of the 1932 Swedish Winter Grand Prix. Retired from racing after a crash at the infamous 1933 Swedish Grand Prix.
Started in 1934 with a capital of 5000 kr a car company that would later employ 40 persons. Died, probably due to cancer, in 1968.
|
| (Info supplied by Håkan Gelin) |
|---|
| | | |
1932: 1 Swedish Winter GP (Ice race)
1933: 3 Swedish Winter GP (Ice race) /
3 Finnish GP /
DNF Swedish Summer GP
|
|---|
|
Tore Berg (S) |
|
* 2 Oct 1910
† 31 Jan 1982 |
Nedre Ullerud, Värmland
Guldsmedshyttan, Lindesberg, Västmanland |
|---|
|
Engineer, living in Lindesberg, Västmanland, near Örebro. Bought Eugen Bjørnstad's Alfa Romeo Monza #2111041.
Won the "Finlandsinsamlingen Karlskoga" ice race in 1940.
|
| | | |
1939: DNF Finnish GP
|
|---|
|
|
Moris Bergamini (I) |
|
* 1911
† 1965 |
?
? |
|---|
|
Bergamini's racing career spanned only three years. He had started racing
at the 1935 Mille Miglia, crashing his Fiat Balilla and spending two
months in a hospital as a consequence. He kept on, nonetheless, with the
Balilla, purchasing a 4CS 1.1L Maserati for the next racing season. The
4CS was joined by a single-seat 4CM for 1937, in which he graduated
National Champion for the 1.1L racing car class. Later in that year a 1.5L
6CM Maserati was purchased in view of the 1938 racing season. Of large
independent financial means, Bergamini's racing stable comprised three
Maseratis, a transporter and a full-time mechanic had been hired when
abruptly he quit racing at the end of 1937.
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
|---|
| | | |
1935: DNF Coppa Ciano (1100c) /
5 Coppa Acerbo (Voiturette) /
3 Modena GP (Voiturette)
1936: 7 Coppa Ciano (Voiturette) /
5 Coppa Acerbo (Voiturette) /
DNF Lucca (Voiturette) /
5 Modena (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
Walter "Waltsu" Bergström (FIN) |
|
* 13 Dec 1909
† 6 Feb 1985 |
Helsinki
? |
|---|
|
Sales manager. Motorcycle racer who also raced cars. Started racing in 1928 and raced util the end of the 1950s.
Winner of the Eläintarha 500cc class 1958 & 1959. In 1948 he he won all Finnish races he took part in.
Also raced 500cc "Effyh" F3 cars after the war. Worked also as international referee,
team manager and chairman for the Helsinki motor club.
|
| | | |
1939: 4 Finnish GP
|
|---|
|
de Bernardinis - SEE: De Bernardinis
|
Ricardo Bernasconi (F) |
|
* 6 Nov 1904
† 15 Aug 1993 |
Solbrate?
Marseille 8e, Bouches-du-Rhône |
|---|
|
Garage owner at rue Paradis, Marseille. He bought a Bugatti T35C
c/n 4871 ex-Jannine Jennky on 2 March 1932, painted it red!? and entered it in local races. The 1932 Monza GP was
the high point of his career. Reported racing a Bugatti T35B! he finished last in his heat and next to last in the repechâge
but that didn't really matter. That day he had raced at Monza against Nuvolari, Taruffi, Fagioli, Chiron, Brivio...
There are men who from a single event can draw enough inspiration to last for the rest of the life.
Bernasconi owned his Bugatti until 1958.
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva and André Reine) |
|---|
| | | |
1932: 11 Torvilliers Circuit /
7 Lorraine GP (2000cc) /
DNF La Baule GP /
7 (heat) Monza GP
1933: DNA Picardie GP /
2 Provence Trophy
|
|---|
|
|
Ippolito Berrone (I) |
|
* 1901
† 1972 |
Genova (Genoa)
Sestri Levante, near Genova |
|---|
|
Quite a long list of prominent Italian amateurs of the 1930s were born in Genova.
One distinguished among them was Ippolito Berrone. Berrone raced a series of good cars, mainly Maseratis
after teething seasons with a 6C 1500 Alfa Romeo.
One of Berrone's greatest achivements was the victory the Gaisberg-hillclimb in Austria in 1933.
In 1933 he raced the ex-Lurani 4CS c/n 1516 followed in 1934 by the 2L 4CM c/n 2011 and by
the 1.5L 4CM c/n 1528 in 1936. Berrone was a reasonably good driver and
his cars were well prepared, providing him with a win in Modena in 1935.
He certainly was one of the Maserati's brothers most valued customers so
they loaned him a 1100cc works OSCA for a one-off return in 1950 for the
dearest race to drivers from Genova: the Pontedecimo-Giovi hillclimb.
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
|---|
| | | |
1933: DNA Monza GP
1934: DNF Finnish GP /
DNA Modena GP
1935: DNA Turin GP /
5 Dieppe (Voiturette) /
DNA Coppa Acerbo (Voiturette) /
1 Modena GP (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
Franco Bertani (I) |
|
* 8 Jan 1913
† 28 Oct 2006 |
Reggio Emilia
Reggio Emilia |
|---|
|
Franco Bertani raced mainly a 1938 FIAT 1100 Special, prepared
by Stanguellini with body by Torricelli, leaving very soon the 1500
voiturette class. This excellent driver-car pairing was hugely
successful in the hard fought 1100 class in Italian racing from 1938 to
1947. Their more important victory was at the Belgian GP for sports cars
on June 16th 1946. He was a very good driver who never had the chance
of, or was not interested in, moving to higher classes in racing. In
fact he was a solicitor in a big law firm owned by his family in Reggio
Emilia. Always very close to Vittorio Stanguellini, he acted as his
counselor for many years after he quit racing. He was also behind the
short lived project of Ala d'Oro, a racing bodyshop in Reggio Emilia in
the late 40s. To everybody's surprise he appeared at the wheel of his
everyday Alfa Romeo 1900 TI during 1954, entering several Italian races
and thereby showing that the old fire was not quenched at all, getting
very close to yet another Italian Italian class Championship.
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
|---|
| | | |
1937: DNF Targa Florio (Voiturette) /
DNF Coppa Acerbo (Voiturette) /
7 Lucca (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
|
Umberto Berti (I) |
|
* 8 Jul 1893
† 1974 |
Terni, Umbria
? |
|---|
|
Born in Terni, Umbria, he moved with his family to Citta di Castello, where he in the twenties
he worked at Auto-Garage Tiferno, selling Moto Guzzis.
He started racing in 1928 in an O.M. 665, results including a 4th at Circito della Marche and a 24th at Mille Miglia.
He did not race in 1929 for family reasons and then specialized in Mille-Miglia. Racing a Alfa Romeo he finished
7th in 1932, 6th in 1933, 8th in 1934 and 13th 1935. With a Fiat he was 19th in 1936 and 30th in 1937.
He returned to Mille Miglia after the war finishing 4th in 1948 and 22th in 1949 with a Fiat and also took part in the
1952 race with a Ferrari, finishing 170th . He finished his racing career with the 1952 and 1953 Tour Auto Umbria and then
concentrated on his buisness full time.
|
| (Info supplied by Giuseppe Prisco) |
|---|
| | | |
1932: DNA Coppa Ciano
|
|---|
|
Oliver Henry Julius Bertram (GB) |
|
* 26 Feb 1910
† 13 Sep 1975 |
Kensington, London
Barnstaple, Devon |
|---|
|
Educated at Cambridge Oliver Bertram became a barrister at law practising in London.
He started racing in 1929 and was much a Brooklands specialist, known for his record attempts with the huge
Barnato-Hassan special. He became the Brooklands outer lap record holder in August 1935 only to loose it
two months later to Cobb (Napier Railton ). Bertram was awared the 1935 and 1938 Gold Star.
Got married in 1943 and had two children.
|
| (Info supplied by Adam Ferrington) |
|---|
| | | |
1933: DNF Empire Trophy
1937: 1* BRDC 500 km (handicap)
|
|---|
|
André Victor Besaucèle (Besaucelle) (F) |
|
* 11 Oct 1891
† 3 May 1979 |
Toulouse, Haute-Garonne
Toulouse, Haute-Garonne |
|---|
|
André Victor Besaucèle was born 1891 in Toulouse. He was the 2nd son of Henri Philippe Victor Besaucelè, a well known medical doctor.
Became a lawer. Got married in 1922. Amateur driver who took part to the 1926 Comminges GP under the pseudonyme "André Victor".
Entered a Ballot in a few races 1929-1931.
Died on May 3, 1979.
|
| (Info supplied by Marc Ceulemans) |
|---|
| | | |
1929: DNC French GP /
3 Comminges GP
1930: DNA Comminges GP
1931: DNF Comminges GP
|
|---|
|
|
Aldo "Tino" Bianchi (I) |
|
Tino Bianchi - a well known mechanic from Milan - worked for Luigi
Castelbarco before the war. He modified the latter's Maserati 1500
mounting an independent suspension with which Castelbarco won the
1934 Eifelrennen. During 1946 he raced the ex-Bellucci Lancia
Aprilia. In 1948/49 he built a couple of Cisitalias D46 with Lancia
Aprilia engine. In the early fifties he worked for Gastone Crepaldi,
importer of French cars in Milan, and then Ferrari concessionaire.
Bianchi built for Crepaldi a series of extremely successful small sports
cars with Dyna Panhard engine and with bodies made by the best
coachbuilders such as Colli or Zagato, which were raced under the banner
of Italfrance. Around 1956 Bianchi opened a new workshop called
Autocorse. He associated once more with Crepaldi to build a rear engined
FJ car in 1960. This car, the Bianchi-Jano-Crepaldi, showed some promise
but was never developed. It was one of legendary Vittorio Jano's last endeavours .
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
|---|
| | | |
1931: DNS Italian GP
1934: 6 (heat) Biella GP
1936: 10 Milan (Voiturette) /
DNF Modena (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
Jean Bielovucic - SEE: "Valcourt"
Ulrich "Ulli" Bigalke (D) |
|
* 1 Jul 1910
† 12 Aug 1940 |
Essen
English Channel |
|---|
|
Born in Essen, Bigalke studied in Berlin-Charlottenburg for an engineering's degree.
He came to sudden fame when he entered a 2000 km race in 1934 in a 1 litre Fiat Ballilla
sports car and won. In the summer of 1935, Bigalke joined Auto Union as Willi Walb's assistent.
He also drove a 2-liter Audi in local races.
He made himself generally useful to the team doing the travelling arrangments, reservations,
being a truck driver, timekeeper, pit helper etc. He made all of Auto Union's
racing reports, which served as information for the firm's management. His hobby was photography and
he made two films about the team both in 1936 and 1937. He worked as assistant engineer in
chassis and brake research. His ability as a race driver was noticed at the 1937 Vanderbilt Cup as
he made some competitive lap times when he had to break in the cars. After a test drive he was selected as
reserve for the 1938-39 seasons. His only start for the team was the 1939 Eifelrennen as the team prefered Meier as driver.
In Italy the ladies called him "Vesuvio".
At the war Bigalke joined Luftwaffe and died during the Battle of Britain (Junkers Ju88-A1 - III/KG 51, probably shot down by a Spitfire from 152 Squadron RAF during an attack on Portsmouth).
|
| (Info supplied by Hans Etzrodt) |
|---|
| | | |
1938: DNS French GP
1939: 6 Eifel GP /
DNS Belgrad GP
|
|---|
|
|
Amedeo Bignami (I) |
|
24 Aug 1904
† 21 Aug 1954 |
Mantova
Verona |
|---|
|
|
| | | |
1929: DNF Cremona Circuit
|
|---|
|
René Maurice Biolay (F) |
|
* 25 Jul 1906
† 3 Mar 1945 |
Saint-Martin-des-Besaces, Normandie
Buchenwald, Thüringen, Germany |
|---|
|
Delahaye driver. Took part at the 1938 & 1939 Le Mans with Louis Villeneuve finishing 4th and 6th. Died in the Buchenwald concentration camp 1945.
|
| (Info supplied by Jean-Charles Colombier) |
|---|
| | | |
1938: 4 Frontières (Voiturette)
1939: 7 Pau GP /
10 Coupe de Paris /
DNA Frontières GP
|
|---|
|
"B. Bira" (Prince Birabongse Bhanutej Bhanubandh) (T) |
|
* 15 Jul 1914
† 24 Dec 1985
|
Bangkok, Siam
Hammersmith, London |
|---|
|
Birabongse was a member of the Royal Thai family. He came to England in 1927 to study at Eton and Cambridge. He started racing
in 1935 with a Riley and a MG Magnette and showed such promise that his cousin and supporter Prince Chula
Chakrabongse bought him a ERA for his 21st birthday. Entered under the pseudonym "B. Bira" for Chula's
"White Mouse Stable", Birabongse became one of the top names in the Voiturette class in 1935-1936, with a record
including three victories. In 1937, the team unsuccessfully tried to rebuilt Seaman's
old Delage with a limited budget. As a result car preparation suffered and "Bira" won just one race.
For 1938 and 1939 "Bira" raced a ex works ERA-C and once again proved to be victorious as he raced mostly in Britain,
the car being no match against the latest Italian Voiturettes. "Bira" also raced in some GP races but his origin made
him unsuitable for a works drive by the top teams.
After the war "Bira" continued racing Maseratis and Simca-Gordinis. He raced Maseratis and Maserati-OSCAs for
Enrico Platé from 1949 onwards. He also raced for Gordini and Connaught teams and as a privateer Maserati driver before
retiring in 1955. His Formula 1 record includes 19 championship starts and 8 points. Extremly short sighted and always
racing with glasses or special built goggles, "Bira" was considered to be a good and very consistent driver if not among the very fastest.
Bira was also interesting in sailing, taking part in the four Olympic Games (see details here).
He was also an accompished sculptor and his art works can be seen on the base of a fountain at the Silverstone track.
Prince Bira had heart attack at the Barons Court London Underground station and died at the Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham, 24 December 1985.
|
| | | |
1935: 2 Dieppe (Voiturette) /
2 Swiss GP (Voiturette) /
5 Donington GP /
3 Mountain
1936: 1 Monaco (Voiturette) /
1 JCC International Trophy (Handicap) /
2 Isle of Man (Voiturette) /
3 Eifel (Voiturette) /
1 Picardie (Voiturette) /
1 Albi (Voiturette) /
DNF Coppa Acerbo (Voiturette) /
DNF Swiss GP (Voiturette) /
DNF JCC 200 (Voiturette) /
5 Donington GP /
3 Mountain
1937: DNF Turin GP (Voiturette) /
2 Napels (Voiturette) /
1 Campbell Trophy /
DNS Campbell Trophy (Voiturette) /
1 Isle of Man (Voiturette) /
DNF Florence GP (Voiturette) /
DNF* Milan GP /
DNF Milan (Voiturette) /
DNC (heat) Picardie (Voiturette) /
1 London GP /
1* Donington 12 Hours (sports car) /
3 Swiss GP (Voiturette) /
2 JCC 200 GP /
DNF Dublin (Voiturette) /
4 Czech GP (Voiturette) /
6 Donington GP /
1 Imperial Trophy (handicap)
1938: 1 Coronation Trophy (handicap) /
1 Campbell Trophy /
2 Cork GP /
1 Cork (Voiturette) /
1 (heat)/DNF Picardie (Voiturette) /
1 London GP /
1 Nuffield Trophy (handicap) /
14* Swiss GP /
DNF Swiss GP (Voiturette) /
2 (1 GP class) JCC 200 (Voiturette + GP) /
1 Siam Challenge (Voiturette)
1939: 1 JCC International Trophy (handicap) /
1 Sydenham Trophy /
1 Nuffield Trophy (Voiturette) /
DNS French GP (Voiturette) /
3 Albi (Voiturette) /
2 Campbell Trophy
|
|---|
|
|
Hans Birk (D) |
|
Technical Director at the RABAG factory at Mannheim. Works driver with a Bugatti T13 Brescia Course badge-engineered as RABAG.
After the bankruptcy of RABAG in early 1926 together with his commercial collegue Hans Balduf he established Birk & Balduf GmbH at Mannheim
and took over the remaining parts and equipment to assemble an unknown number of Rabags, including a race car for himself,
which he sporadically raced until 1927. According to Erwin Tragatsch this car was highly competitive at 60 hp, and "Motor und Sport"
reported that at the 1927 Krähberg hillclimb the car was supercharged. After 1927 Birk popped up only once at the
Wachenburg hillclimb near Weinheim on 3 May 1935 where he achieved 3rd place in the race car class, behind Steinweg
and only a few seconds slower than Hummel with his quick Amilcar C6.
|
| (Info supplied by Michael Müller) |
|---|
| | | |
1925: 1 Solitude GP (1500cc)
|
|---|
|
Sir Henry Ralph Stanley "Tim" Birkin 3rd Baronet (GB) |
|
* 26 Jul 1896
† 22 Jun 1933 |
Basford, Nottinghamshire
Marylebone, London |
|---|
|
Birkin was a small man who stuttered badly and had a car wrecking driving style.
Still for the 1920s British racing enthusiasts Birkin became the prototype for the heroic British driver, a fearless guy with a a blue white
spotted scarf around his neck. Birkin was one of the "Bentley Boys".
Tim Birkin was born into a wealthy Nottingham family.
During World War he joined the Royal Flying Corps, ending up as a Lieutenant. In Palestine
he contracted malaria that he was to suffer from for the rest of his life.
Tired of civilian office work he tried motor racing in 1921 as a relief, racing a DFP at Brooklands. However business forced him to
give up serious competition until 1927. Racing a Bentley with Jean Chassagne he finised 5th at the 1928 Le Mans 24h race.
The next year Birkin and Woolf Barnato won Le Mans in a Bentley "Speed Six".
Birking became a supercharger enthusiast and backed up by Dorothy Paget he sat up a factory at Welvey. The 4.5 litre supercharged "Blower Bentley"
made its debut in the 1930 Essex Six hours at Brooklands. Birkin persuated Bentley to produce a series of 50 supercharged cars to quality the model for
Le Mans. However the model while spectacular proved fragtile and Birkin had to retire the 1930 Le Mans. Birkin finished second in the 1930 French GP.
at Pau. He also set a series of speed records at Brooklands that year.
In April 1931 Tim Birkin became Sir Henry Birkin. For 1931 he raced Maseratis in Grand Prix races and Maseratis in sports cars events. He came fourth at the Belgian GP and with Earl Howe won Le Mans for a
second time. In 1932 he continued setting lap records at Brooklands, won at Phoenix Par in a Alfa Romeo and won a famous duel against Cobb's
Delage at Brooklands. For 1933 took delivery of a 3 litre Maserati. He came third at Tripoli but during his race he burnt his hand against
the exhaust-pipe. The wound turned septic and combined with malaria the illness proved fatal. Birkin died in the Countess Carnavon Nursing Home, London 1933.
|
| | | |
1930: 2 French GP
1931: DNS Monaco GP /
4* French GP /
4* Belgian GP /
10 German GP /
1 Mountain
1932: DNF Empire Trophy /
DNA AVUS GP /
DNA French GP /
3* Spa 10h (sports car)
1933: DNF Monaco GP /
DNA Bordino GP /
3 Tripoli GP /
DNA Frontières GP /
DNA French GP
|
|---|
|
Otakar Bittmann (CS) |
|
* 27 May 1891
† 13 Sep 1945 |
Kamenice
Brno |
|---|
|
Famous physician, gynecologist and surgeon, but also known racing driver and pilot. He bought his first racing car, a brand new Bugatti T37, in 1928 . Raced in many hill climbs
with Bugatti or with Austro-Daimler in touring car category, often breaking records. Bittmann started in the 1928 German GP (sports cars) but retired after Cenek Junek's fatal crash. Later that year he bought a
Bugatti T35C from Elisabeth Junek. At the beginning of 1929 he was considered best Czech driver. In Targa Florio that year he gave up and passed his car to Mario Lepori. Next year he finished 12th.
He started in Grand Prix of Nations on Nürburgring in 1929, but retired with broken valve spring. In that time he became one of the initiators of new Masaryk circuit in Brno. The first race on Masaryk
circuit (September 1930) was his last. In memory of Cenek Junek he established "Bittmann prize" of 5000 CZK for driver with best performance on 7th lap. The prize was given for several years
(e.g.1932 received by Nuvolari). Bittmann then focused on his career and became professor of Brno University and senior doctor in Olomouc gynecology hospital.
|
| (Info supplied by Jiri Mewald) |
|---|
| | | |
1929: DSQ Targa Florio
1930: 12 Targa Florio /
DNF Czech GP /
|
|---|
|
Arthur Norman Black (GB) |
|
* 17 Nov 1894
† 23 Feb 1973 |
Leicester
Hove, East Sussex |
|---|
|
Norman Black left shool at age 13 to work in his Father's Boot Factory in Leicestershire.
Was a stretcher bearer and later MC orderly during WWI. In the 1920s he raced motorcycles and
competed in eight Motor Cycle TT's and in many 6-day Trials, Speed Trials, Hill Climbs. Won many cups & trophies on motor cycles
during 1920-31. Turned to car racing in 1931.
He won the 1931 Phoenix Park GP and the Tourist trophy at Ards and was awarded the 1931 Gold Star.
He continued racing hillclimbs, sports cars (Including Le Mans 1932-37) and rallies (including the Monte Carlo Rally) until 1950.
During WW2 he worked as a factories inspector.
|
| | | |
1932: DNA Mountain
1934: 1 Mannin Beg (Voturette)
|
|---|
|
Aimery Louis Jules Henry Blacque-Bélair (F) |
|
* 21 Aug 1898
† 15 Jul 1989 |
Reims
Paris |
|---|
|
Son of a general and cavalry instructor, he enlisted in the French army in 1915 and after WW1 became a jockey. He was Secretary General of the L’Intransigeant
newspaper and ran for political office. He succeeded in becoming Deputy of the Seine region from 2nd December 1928 to 31st May 1936 which appears to have
curtailed his motor racing exploits. He was then appointed Director in the Franco-Moroccan administration. At the outbreak of WW2 he rejoined the army and was
assigned to the aviation group. After many missions he crashed and after the armistice rejoined the Franco-Moroccan administration. He was involved with the
American landings in North Africa and became a paratrooper, seeing action at Normandy. After the war he took over the management of cultural affairs in Rabat,
Morocco. He was awarded the Légion d’honneur and married Marie Anne de Godziemba Godebska in 1925 but she died in 1949.
|
| (Info supplied by Simon Davis) |
|---|
| | | |
1928: 7 (heat) Grand Prix Bugatti /
1 La Baule GP /
DNF European GP
1929: DNA Burgundy GP
|
|---|
|
|
Robert Blondiaux né Ruys (F) |
|
* 21 Jun 1909
† 9 Sep 1996 |
Valenciennes, Nord, Hauts-de-France
Henin-Beaumont, Pas-de-Calais |
|---|
|
|
| (Info supplied by André Reine) |
|---|
| | | |
1934: 8 Albi GP /
DNA Comminges GP
|
|---|
|
"Dribus" (André Jacques Boillot) (F) |
|
* 8 Aug 1891
† 8 Jun 1932 |
Valentigney
Châteauroux |
|---|
|
Younger brother of 1912 and 1913 French Grand Prix winner Georges Boillot.
Entered the 1919-1921 Indy 500. Winner of the 1919 Targa Florio. Winner of the 1936 Spa 24 hours race.
Boillot crashed into a tree in a 301 sports Peugeot during practice at Ars-La Châtre in France on June 4. He died in Châteauroux a few days later.
|
| | | |
1924: 5 Targa Florio (4500cc)
1925: 1 Targa Florio
1926: DNF Targa Florio
1927: 4 Targa Florio /
1 Sporting Commission Cup
1929: 2 French GP
1931: 6 Monaco GP /
DNA French GP
|
|---|
|
Miloš Otto Bondy (CZ) |
|
* 1895
† 1942 |
Prague
? |
|---|
|
Born into the family of a wealthy Jewish businessmen.
After graduating he became partner in road transport company that hovever went bankrupt. Was then part owner of the "Avia"
aircraft factory (1921-28) and involved in several other projects including a moorcycle factory "MB-Miloš Bondy".
He started racing in 1921 with a Praga. Raced an Austro-Daimler in 1922.
For the 1928 season he bought a new Bugatti T37 from he Prague representative Vladimír Gut and raced it during 1928-31 seasons.
Winner of the 1928 and 1929 Brno-Soběšice and 1928 Ecce-Homo hillclimbs.
He resided Paris at the begining of the war. He failed to get a French citizenship but cooperated with the French intelligence.
Moved Budapest, where he led an intelligence group. Was arrested on 19 February 1940, accused and convicted of treason and executed 1942.
|
| | | |
1930: 7 Czech GP
|
|---|
|
Felice Bonetto (I) |
|
* 9 Jun 1903
† 21 Nov 1953 |
Brescia
Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico |
|---|
|
Bonetto raced a Alfa Romeo Monza 1933-35 without bigger success except for a 3rd place in the
infamous 1933 Monza GP. Bonetto's greast successes came later in his career, in the late 40s and early 50s.
In 1948 he raced for Cisitalia in Formula 2, winning the Nuvolari Cup at Mantua.
In 1949 he raced for Scuderia Ferrari both in Formula 1 and Formula 2 and with Carpani he took a Ferrari to
2nd place at the 1949 Mille Miglia.
In 1950 he raced Maeratis for Scuderia Milano and in 1951 he signed for Alfa Romeo. In 1952 he raced some F1 for Maserati and
sports car for Lancia taking the the victory at the Targa Florio. In 1953 he did a full GP season for Maserati
and continud racing Lancia sports cars. He won the Portuguese GP at Lisbon but at the Carrera Panemericana in Mexico, passing the
village of Silao, Guanajuato, he crashed the Lancia into a lamppost with fatal results.
Bonetto was known as a fearless and aggressive driver.
He took part in 15 World Championship GP starts and collected a total of 17.5 points.
Interestingly Alessandro Silva has pointed out to me that it is impossible to find contemporary Italian sources mentioning the name
"Il Pirata" (the Pirate) often seen in post war racing litterature.
|
| | | |
1933: 3 Monza GP
1934: DNF (heat) Bordino GP /
DNF Tripoli GP /
DNS Coppa Acerbo
1935: DNF Tripoli GP /
DNQ Bergamo GP /
DNF (heat) Turin GP
|
|---|
|
Claude Bonneau (B) |
|
* ?
† 1943 |
?
? |
|---|
|
Raced a MG cars in 1938 and 1939 at Le Mans and Spa. Died during the war.
|
| | | |
1934: DNF Picardie (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
Jules "René" Bonnet (F) |
|
* 27 Dec 1904
† 13 Jan 1983 |
Vaumas, Allier, Auvergne
Épernay, Marne |
|---|
|
Bonnet was a central figure in French racing in the middle
of the 20th century. He was the son of a cabinet-maker and had been
always very keen on mechanical things. In the 1930s he moved to
Champigny-sur-Marne to help in his sister's family garage. There he met
Charles Deutsch, a gifted engineer who had put his mechanical shop for sale
and Bonnet had shown up for the purchase. The two became friends
and partners in a business which specialised in tuning engines and
building special parts. Deutsch was very interested in front wheel drive
so it was natural that their attention turned to the Citroën Traction
Avant when they decided to build a sports car in 1938. Their cars were
going to be called DB-Citroën. Chassis 1 was ready for the Monthléry 12
hours race in 1938. A total of nine racing cars with Citroën engines,
out of which up to 75 bhp were extracted, were built until 1949. DB
switched to Panhard engines in 1950. The achievements of the tiny and
ingenious DB-Panhard in the World Constructor Championship and in
several single-seater feeder formulae are well known. In 1962 René
Bonnet struck an agreement with Renault while Deutsch did not seem any
longer interested in the good functioning of the DB partnership. Matra
purchased Bonnet's works at Champigny in 1964.
Bonnet died in an road accident at Épernay, Marne in 1983.
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
|---|
| | | |
1939: 3 (heat) Angouleme
|
|---|
|
Pietro Bordino (I) |
|
* 22 Nov 1887
† 15 Apr 1928. |
Torino (Turin), Italy
Alessandria, Italy |
|---|
|
Probably the finest driver of his generation Pietro Bordino preceded Nuvolari as the great Italian hero. Bordino was born 1887 in Turin, Italy. In 1904 he started as a 17-year old teenager with the FIAT
factory as riding mechanic to Vincenzo Lancia and Felice Nazzaro. He made his debut as driver at the 1908 Château-Thierry hill climb. In 1910 he won the 1-mile Modena speed trial. The following year he appeared at
the Brooklands oval to set records with the 300 hp Fiat. He finished in the 1913 Targa Florio in a Lancia. After the war, he retired in the 1921 Targa Florio with a 3-liter and led the Italian GP at
Brescia before having to retire. In 1922 he shipped a Fiat to the USA and raced at six Californian speedway events. Back in Europe at the 1922 he continued racing Fiat, winning two races at the opening of the
new Monza autodrome. In 1923 Bordino and Giaccone had a serious practice accident at Monza, where Giaccone was killed while Bordino survived with a broken arm.
He and Nazarro finished third in the 1924 Targa Florio. Late that same year he again took a Fiat to the USA where he raced until 1925 finishing 10th at the Indy 500. In 1927 he won the Gran Premio Milano.
When Fiat withdrew from racing and he changed to Bugatti buying a T35C (#4866) from Molsheim in March 1928. During practice for the Alessandria GP, near the mill at San Michele on Sunday, April 15, a large Alsatian dog ran
into his car, blocking the steering, causing his car to skid off the dirt road down the steep ravine into a tributary channel of the Tanaro River, killing Bordino and his mechanic.
See also: Epitaph
|
| | | |
1924: 3 Targa Florio (1500cc) /
DNF European GP
1927: 1 Milan GP /
DNA European GP /
DNA British GP
1928: DNF Pozzo Circuit /
DNA Alessandria GP
|
|---|
|
Edvard William Börjesson (S) |
|
* 25 Sep 1900
† 14 Apr 1979 |
Stockholm
Stockholm |
|---|
|
Worked in the automotive industry and was a fully qualified pilot.
|
| (Info supplied by Håkan Gelin & Simon Davis) |
|---|
| | | |
1931: DNS Swedish Winter GP (Ice race)
|
|---|
|
|
Sven Arthur Alfred Börjesson (S) |
|
* 4 Apr 1903
† 21 Jun 1978 |
Stockholm
Stockholm |
|---|
|
|
| (Info supplied by Håkan Gelin) |
|---|
| | | |
1932: DNA Swedish Winter GP (Ice race)
|
|---|
|
Bossu - SEE: "Barowski"
Léon Boucard (F) |
|
Drove a Salmson before and after WW2.
|
| | | |
1937: DNF Frontières GP
|
|---|
|
|
Pierre Abel Bouchez (F) |
|
* 18 Jan 1892
† 18 Apr 1965 |
Reims, Marne
Paris 16e |
|---|
|
|
| (Info supplied by André Reine) |
|---|
| | | |
1926: DNF Marne GP
1927: 10 Marne GP
1928: DNF Marne GP
|
|---|
|
Bouillin - SEE: "Levegh"
Georges Bouriano (RO/B) |
|
* 20 Aug 1901
† ? |
?
? |
|---|
|
Bouriano was a Romanian emigré who started racing in Italy in the early
twenties, before moving to Belgium where he initially raced a
"Speedsport", a Special with a model T Ford engine with a 16-valve
special head built by Jean Bartsoen.
He drove this car in speed trials at Ostenda, Spa, Chimay, during 1926.
He later raced a EHP, a French cyclecar, together with the Speedsport.
In 1929 he acquired a T35C Bugatti, which he extensively raced in Italy,
France and Spain, taking second place in the first Monaco Grand Prix
behind "Williams", probably the best achievement of his career. It is
clear that at this stage Bouriano was considering taking up a
professional career, so he bought a Type 35B Bugatti new from factory in
March 1930. He raced without luck at Monaco, Alessandria and Dieppe,
suddenly disappearing from records afterwards. The Bugatti T35B was sold
to Legat in 1934.
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
|---|
| | | |
1929: DNF Antibes GP /
DNA Riviera Circuit /
2 Monaco GP /
DNA Alessandria GP /
DNF Rome GP /
DNA Pozzo Circuit /
DNF Mugello Circuit /
7 Dieppe GP /
7 San Sebastian GP
1930: DNF Monaco GP /
DNF Alessandria GP /
DNA European (Belgian) GP /
DNF Dieppe GP /
DNF Comminges GP /
DNA French GP
1932: DNF Frontières GP
1933: DNA Frontières GP
|
|---|
|
Raymond Edmond Bourlier (F) |
|
* 15 oct 1897
† 25 Mar 1936 |
Arcueil, Île-de-France
Puteaux, Île-de-France |
|---|
|
Joined the Talbot team in 1923. Won the 1500cc class of the 1926 Provence GP. Moved to Delage for Grand Prix racing and did some good results including winning the 1927
La Turbie. Became an independent Bugatti driver after Delage withdrev from racing. In the spring of 1936 he decided to end his own life after being ill for a long time.
|
| (Info supplied by Jean-Charles Colombier) |
|---|
| | | |
1926: DNF Provence GP (1500cc) /
DNA French GP /
2* European GP
1927: 2 French GP /
3 Spanish GP /
DNF La Baule GP /
2 British GP
1928: DNS /DNF* San Sebastian GP
1929: 5 San Sebastian GP /
DNS Monza GP
1931: DNF* French GP
|
|---|
|
|
Robert Lawrence "Bobby" Bowes (GB) |
|
* 1 Apr 1908
† 12 Jan 1993 |
Waukegan, Illinois, USA
Torquay, Devon |
|---|
|
|
| (Info supplied by Adam Ferrington) |
|---|
| | | |
1930: DNS Monaco GP /
|
|---|
|
Francis Georges Achille ""Jacques Achille" Boyriven (F) |
|
* 30 Jan 1889
† 4 Apr 1945 |
Paris 9e
Avallon, Yonne |
|---|
|
|
| (Info supplied by André Reine) |
|---|
| | | |
1929: DNS Algerian GP
|
|---|
|
Charles Edgar Mills Brackenbury (GB) |
|
* 1 Feb 1907
† 2 Nov 1959 |
South Elkington, Lincolnshire
Woking, Surrey |
|---|
|
Charles Brackenbury had a garage near the Brooklands racetrack, and he started his racing career
there in 1929 with an old French BNC. From 1930 - 1933 he drove a red Bugatti T37, and 1933 - 1934 a MG Midget.
From 1935 on he raced with an ex-Mme. Hellé-Nice Bugatti T35C. Sometimes he raced others cars
such as Dixon's Riley or Martin's Alfa Romeo in 1936-37, and at Brooklands he
could sometimes be seen in a a 11-year-old Sunbeam!
In 1938 he started with different Bugattis (T37A, T35C and T51) and in 39 with an ERA and
a works-Lagonda. After the war he continued entering races and hillclimbs until 1953, when he retired. He died
ten years later. His greatest successes were third places at the Le Mans 24h in 1935 and 1939.
|
| (Info supplied by Jörg Bensemann) |
|---|
| | | |
1933: DNF Mannin Moar /
DNA Albi GP
1935: 7 Mannin Moar
1937: DNF Coronation Trophy (Voiturette)
(5) Campbell Trophy /
7* JCC 200 GP /
4* JCC 200 (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
Louis Braillard (CH) |
|
* 25 Dec 1906
† 1996 |
Renens, Vaud
? |
|---|
|
Started racing in GP events in 1932 with a private Bugatti T35B. In 1933 he changed to a Bugatti T51,
winning at Albi. The same year, he formed a racing team with Benoit
Falchetto, financed by Louis' sister Nelly. In January 1934, the team bought two Maserati 8CM and
endered them under the name Ecurie Braillard. Braillard drove this car the following years and had some good races but no major wins.
When Braillard stopped racing in 1934, Robert Brunet replaced him. Ecurie Braillard
carried with the same drivers and cars till the end of 1935.
|
| | | |
1932: 7 Marseille GP
1933: 11 Tunis GP /
5 Nimes GP /
DNF Marne GP /
6 La Baule GP /
1 Albi GP
1934: 4 Picardie GP /
DNF Montreux GP /
DNF Albi GP
|
|---|
|
|
Josef Brázdil (A/CS) |
|
* 26 Oct 1904
† 28 Sep 1934
|
?
? |
|---|
|
Brázdil from Bratislava loaned money to buy a Maserati 6C-34. Died in a bizarre accident at the 1934 Czech GP.
|
| | | |
1934: DNS Czech GP
|
|---|
|
|
Raffaele Breda (I) |
|
* 14 Dec 1900
† 17 Apr 1978 |
Turrivalignani, Pescara
Pescara |
|---|
|
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
|---|
| | | |
1926: DNF Coppa Acerbo (1500cc)
1931: DNA Coppa Acerbo
|
|---|
|
Jean Alexandre Breillet (F) |
|
* 4 Aug 1903
† 20 Mar 1980 |
Paris 12e
Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes |
|---|
|
Raced a team Gordini Simca at LeMans 1938 & 1939.
|
| (Info supplied by André Reine) |
|---|
| | | |
1935: DNF Dieppe (Voiturette) /
7 La Baule (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
Heinz Brendel (D) |
|
* 16 Jan 1915
† 1 Dec 1989 |
Frankfurt am Main
? |
|---|
|
Supported by his father, who also was a racing driver, Brendel started racing at an age of 17.
In 1935, he started in his first major race, the Eifelrennen, finishing second in the 1.1-liter sports
car class. More victories came with a 1.1 litre Fiat in local events before Brendel was invited to the
Mercedes "driver school" at the Nürburgring. There he crashed a W25 GP car,
suffering minor injuries while the car started burning.
For 1937, Neubauer selected him to join in the tests at Monza and he signed for the team as a reserve driver.
Tested the Mercedes-Benz W125 during practice for the German GP 1937.
Entered the German GP 1939 as fourth driver. He made a sensational practice session
and started 5th on the grid. During the race he was asked to come in to give over the car to Lang but instead
he continued and crashed. When he phoned for someone to pick him up, Neubauer replied that Brendel could start
walking. That proved to be the only race of his GP career.
Shortly after the race during a training session at Nürburgring, the saddle tank caught fire at
Döttinger Höhe. Brendel just had enough time to steer into the low bushes
and jump from the moving car, waking up the next day at hospital.
He was nominated as reserve driver for the Swiss GP.
After the war, Brendel raced an 1.1 litre Porsche.
|
| (Info supplied by Hans Etzrodt) |
|---|
| | | |
1937: DNS German GP
1939: DNF German GP /
DNS Swiss GP
|
|---|
|
von Breslau - SEE: Adolf Brudes
Albert Edouard Antoine Bret (F) |
|
* 9 Nov 1907
† 3 May 1996 |
Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes |
|---|
|
Born in Cannes 1907 Bret's father was a lawyer, city councillor and owner of the Hôtel des Anglais, whilst his mother was the hotel
manager. In 1923 he precociously achieved his first victory driving an Amilcar. He also competed in a Georges Irat and a BNC as well as on a Smart motorcycle. He acquired
a Bugatti touring car before purchasing a Bugatti T35C (#4855) from the factory in June 1927. He also used a T37 Bugatti. At the 1929 London Motor Show he exchanged the T35 Bugatti for
a De Havilland Gipsy Moth biplane with Sir Malcolm Campbell. He ceased motor racing and developed into an accomplished professional test pilot and instructor. On the
outbreak of WW2 he was called up by the French Air Force until the 1940 armistice with Germany. In 1942 he escaped to Portugal via Spain and joined the Free French Forces.
He travelled to Ireland in 1943 and then joined the British Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. In recognition of his services he received the Croix de Guerre and Légion
d’Honneur from the French and the MBE and OBE from the British. (Regarded also as an Englishman might have possessed dual nationality) He joined the board of
Silver City Airways in 1948, after getting married the previous year. He became the tourism assistant for the Cannes City Council in 1950; founded the
Automobile Club de Cannes and was chairman of the Cannes Yacht Club from 1956 to 1978. Died in Cannes 1996.
|
| (Info supplied by Simon Davis & André Reine) |
|---|
| | | |
1927: 5 San Sebastian GP
1928: DNA Saint Raphaël /
2 Riviera Circuit /
DNF Antibes GP
1929: DNS Antibes GP /
1 Riviera Circuit /
DNA Marne GP (Voiturette) /
DNF La Baule GP (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
|
Douglas Lewis Briault (GB) |
|
* 20 May 1901
† 13 Jul 1976 |
Hampstead, London
Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia |
|---|
|
Voiturette ERA driver. In March 1942, commanding torpedo motor launch ML 341 he was assigned to take part
in the famous St Nazaire raid but the launch struck engine trouble and had to return to England.
|
| | | |
1936: DNF Vila Real /
3* JCC 200 /
13* Donington GP
|
|---|
|
Willi Briem (D) |
|
Briem owned a driving school in Ludwigsburg, Germany. During 1933, he raced a
1928 model 1.1 litre Amilcar in mountain races with good results. In the autumn of 1936,
he took part in the Mercedes "driver school" at Nürburgring but proved to
be too slow in the GP car. In the late thirties, Willi drove a few races with a BMW 328
and took part in the shortened 1940 Mille Miglia, finishing 5th.
He made a comeback after war and raced twice in 1949. He came second at the Norisring and 6th at the Kölner Kurs with a BMW engiened Holbein sportscar HH47.
|
| (Info supplied by Hans Etzrodt) |
|---|
| | | |
1933: DNF AVUS (Voiturette)
1934: 6 AVUS (Voiturette) /
? Swiss GP (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
Llewellyn Rolls "Puck" Briggs (GB) |
|
* 25 May 1897
† 15 Nov 1960 |
Lower Camden, Chislehurst, Kent
Lambeth, London |
|---|
|
Later known as "Puck", Briggs joined the British Army at the start of WW1 and was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps.
On 11 September 1916 his D.H.2 #7901 (24 Squadron RFC, Bertangles) was shot down behind enemy lines when he lost height due to engine trouble.
He was wounded and became POW before repatriation in December 1917. He retired from RAF 1928 as a Flight Lieutenant and moved to County Antrim, Northern
Ireland together with his wife, whom he married in 1924. Briggs joined his wife’s family business and was appointed to the board of the Belfast,
Mersey & Manchester Steamship Company. Briggs was also an inventor and had three patents in the early 1920s concerning aircraft and tools.
In their spare time, Briggs and his wife got involved in local amateur dramatics. In April 1933 he purchased an MG J2 and later that year started to
compete in Irish hillclimbs and races, both north and south of the border. For the 1936 season he upgraded to an MG K3 Magnette.
He rejoined the RAF in WW2 and left with the rank of Group Captain. In 1947 he moved to Kenya and became a farmer and a politician.
He represented European settler interests and opposed decolonization. In 1959 he founded the United Party but failing health led to his death in 1960.
He died at St Thomas’s Hospital in Lambeth 1960.
|
| (Info supplied by Simon Davis and Adam Ferrington) |
|---|
| | | |
1936: NC Isle of Man (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
Gastone Brilli-Peri (I) |
|
* 24 Mar 1893
† 22 Mar 1930 |
Montevarchi, Italy
Tripoli, Libya |
|---|
|
Gastone Brilli-Peri, son of a countess, was born in Montevarchi 1893. Starting with bicycle racing in 1907 he raced motorcycles from 1912 onwards and and started racing cars in 1920, first with a Nazarro and then a Fiat.
He was second at Mugello in 1922 and won several hill climbs. During 1922 he crashed at the TArga Florio receiing serious injuries. He raced mainly the Steyr until the end of 1924. He won at Mugello
and Parma-Poggio di Berceto hill climb in a 4.5-liter Fiat. In 1925 he joined the Alfa Romeo Factory team, culminating with his victory in the 1925 Italian Grand Prix, which won Alfa Romeo the World Championship.
Between 1925 and 1927 he raced a Ballot in some smaller events, winning the 1925 Perugia Cup and the Savio Circuit in 1926. In a Alfa Romeo P2 he was second at Rome. In 1928 he drove for Bugatti, with a second
place in Rome and fourth at the Nürburgring. Disappointed, with the team he left Bugatti in mid-season and changed to a 1.5-liter Alfa Romeo and also one of the 1.5-liter Talbots of Emilio Materassi's Ecurie Italienne.
In 1929, racing for Scuderia Materassi, he won at Tripoli and Mugello. With Alfa Romeo he came third in the Targa Florio, second at Rome, fifth in the Coppa Ciano, fourth in the Italian Grand Prix and won at Cremona
and Tunis. On Saturday practice for the 1930 Tripoli GP Brilli-Peri was going flat out in fourth gear through the fast Suk el Giuma turn, where others used third. He lost control.
When the car overturned he was catapulted out and was killed on the spot.
See also: Epitaph
|
|
|
| | | |
1924: 11 Targa Florio (4500cc) /
DNF Mugello Circuit
1925: DNF Rome GP /
DNA Savio Circuit (2000cc) /
1 Coppa Perugina /
DNF Mugello Circuit /
DNF European GP /
DNF French GP /
1 Italian GP
1926: 2 Rome GP (2000cc) /
1 Savio Circuit /
DNF Coppa Perugina /
5 Milan GP
1927: DNF Savio Circuit /
DNF Coppa Perugina /
DNF Coppa Acerbo
1928: DNF Targa Florio /
DNS Mugello Circuit /
2 Rome GP /
DNA San Sebastian GP /
DNF Coppa Acerbo /
DNF European GP
1929: 1 Tripoli GP (Voiturette) /
13 Alessandria GP /
3 Targa Florio /
2 Rome GP /
1 Mugello Circuit (1500cc) /
5 Coppa Ciano /
4 Monza GP /
1 Cremona Circuit /
1 Tunis GP
1930: DNS Tripoli (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
Édouard Henri Brisson (F/RA) |
|
* 18 Nov 1882
† 17 Apr 1949 |
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Neuilly-Sur-Seine, Seine, France |
|---|
|
Although a Frenchman, Brisson was born in Argentina as his parents lived there.
He lived in both France and Argentina and it is possible that he held dual nationality. His interest in motor racing was inspired by his father Henri, who was an
early member of the Automobile Club de France. Édouard is best known for his exploits at Le Mans 24h finishing second in 1924 and 1928 and third in 1925 and 1926.
In 1933 he suffered from ill health and never raced again. He was the French representative for Stutz. He married twice in 1920 and 1934. He died in Buenos
Aires? but was buried in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.
|
| (Info supplied by Simon Davis & André Reine) |
|---|
| | | |
1929: DNA French GP
1931: DNA French GP
|
|---|
|
Marquis Antonio "Tonino" Brivio Sforza (I) |
|
* 27 Dec 1905
† 30 Jan 1995
|
Biella
Milano |
|---|
|
Antonio Brivio, Marquis Sforza was born in the family of the Milan rulers of the XVth
and early XVIth centuries. Started racing in 1927. Raced Talbot-Darracq 1928.
Joined Scuderia Materassi. Alfa Romeo sportscar driver 1932-33.
Works Bugatti driver in 1934. Scuderia Ferrari from authumn 1934 - 1937.
Took part as a bobsled racer in the 1936 Winter Olympics.
Retired from racing after his marriage in 1937. A consistent driver, he turned down
an offer from Auto Union in 1936 to stay with Ferrari, with whom his main successes were
scored in Alfa Romeo sportscars. A Spa 24hrs race, two Targa Florios, a
Mille Miglia and two minor international Grands Prix are his main
victories. His decision to quit met with Ferrari's sarcasm. Brivio was,
after the war, chairman of the Sporting Commission of the Italian
Autoclub and, with Lurani, Filippini and Aymo Maggi, gave a big help to
the re-birth of Italian racing and to regain a world-wide prominence.
Some source say that Brivio, as a member of FIA since 1948, had made the
initial proposal for a WDC early in 1949. If this fact could be proved,
it would make Brivio one of the more important personalities in the
history of motor racing. It is certain, however, that Brivio was the FIA
representative at WDC races for many years.
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
|---|
| | | |
1927: 2c/5 Alessandria GP (1100cc) /
6c/11 Savio Circuit (1500cc) /
3 Coppa Perugina (1100cc) /
DNA Bologna Circuit /
DNF Coppa Montenero (1500cc) /
DNA Milan GP
1928: DNA Tripoli GP /
DNF* Pozzo Circuit /
8 Alessandria GP /
DNF Mugello Circuit /
DNF European GP
1929: DNA Alessandria GP /
DNA Mugello Circuit
1930: 5 Alessandria GP /
DNF Coppa Ciano /
4 Coppa Acerbo /
DNF (heat) Monza GP
1932: 2* Mille Miglia (sports car) /
4*/DNF Targa Florio /
2 Coppa Messina (sports car) /
7*/9* Italian GP /
1* Spa 10h (sports car) /
7 Coppa Ciano /
4 Coppa Acerbo /
3 Circuito di Senigallia (sports car) /
4 Czech GP /
7 Monza GP
1933: 3 Bordino GP /
1 Targa Florio /
2 Coppa Ciano /
1 Swedish Summer GP /
DNA Coppa Acerbo /
DNF/5* Italian GP /
DNF Czech GP /
DNS Spanish GP
1934: DNS Tripoli GP /
DNS AVUS GP /
2 Belgian GP /
3 Coppa Acerbo /
4 Biella GP /
DNS Italian GP /
11 Spanish GP /
2 Napels GP /
2* Alger GP
1935: 3 Monaco GP /
1 Targa Florio /
DNS Tunis GP /
DNF Tripoli GP /
4 Penya Rhin GP /
2 Turin GP /
DNF German GP /
2 Coppa Ciano /
3 Coppa Acerbo /
4 Modena GP /
4 Czech GP /
1 Cosenza GP
1936: 1* Mille Miglia (sports car) /
DNA Pau GP /
5* Monaco GP /
7 Tripoli GP /
DNF Tunis GP /
DNF Penya Rhin GP /
3 Eifel GP /
DNA Hungarian GP /
4 Milan GP /
3 German GP /
2 Coppa Ciano /
4 Coppa Acerbo /
DNF Lucca GP /
3 Vanderbilt Cup
1937: 1 Turin GP /
10 Tripoli GP /
DNA AVUS GP /
3 Rio de Janeiro GP /
DNF Monaco GP /
6 Czech GP
|
|---|
|
|
Nevill Seymour Brocklebank (GB) |
|
* 14 Jun 1913
† 11 May 1999 |
Pyrford, Surrey
Leybourne, Kent |
|---|
|
|
| (Info supplied by Adam Ferrington) |
|---|
| | | |
1936: DNF JCC 200
|
|---|
|
Paul Jacques Brosselin (F) |
|
* 24 Oct 1900
† 30 Jan 1978 |
Paris 08e
Baraize, Indre |
|---|
|
From Paris. Bought one of the Lyon T35 from Bugatti’s Paris showroom which he raced until end 1925.
In 1927 he popped up at Reims with a T37, possibly on loan.
|
| (Info supplied by André Reine) |
|---|
| | | |
1926: DNF Provence GP (heat) /
2 Marne GP (1500cc)
|
|---|
|
Luis Enrique Brosutti Fantini (RA) |
|
* 4 Nov 1903
† ? |
Santa Fe
? |
|---|
|
|
| | | |
1936: 3 Buenos Aires GP
|
|---|
|
|
Adolf Brudes (D) |
|
* 15 Oct 1899
† 5 Nov 1986 |
Kotulin, Schlesien (Silesia)
Bremen |
|---|
|
Born in Kotulin, some 100 km SE of Breslau (then in Germany, nowadays in Poland).
He started racing NSU motorcycles at an age of 20 finishing second in his first race. Competed in hillclimbs with motorcycles and a Bugatti T35B.
Founded a workshop in Breslau in 1930. Finished third at the 1940 Mile Miglia with a BMW 328. Worked for Borgward after the war and took part in racing as well for Borgward.
Moved to Bremen where he died in 1986.
|
| | | |
1930: 2 Eifel (Voiturette)
1932: DNF AVUS (Voiturette)
1933: DNF AVUS (Voiturette) /
DNA Eifel (Voiturette)
1934: 8 AVUS (Voiturette) /
DNA Czech GP (Voiturette)
1936: DNA Eifel (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
Brune - SEE: Maillard-Brune
Désiré Charles Armand Brunet (F) |
|
* 17 Jun 1895
† 11 Jun 1949 |
Combray, Calvados
Lisieux, Calvados |
|---|
|
Charles Brunet mainly drove in the West of France from 1927 to 1934. He was seen at La Coupe Florio in 1927 (Talbot), then in a Sport
Bugatti in 1930 - 1931 - 1932, concentrating in hillclimb (Lisieux, La Valette, Harfleur, Torigni, Château Thierry, Bagneux) or sprint (Vernon).
Charles Brunet was in the entry list of the La Baule GP but was replaced by Matile.
In 1934 he bought a new Bugatti 55 and took part in the 24-Hours of Le Mans race with "Renaldi" (André Carré).
|
| (Info supplied by Marc Ceulemans & André Reine) |
|---|
| | | |
1930: DNA Dieppe GP
1933: DNS (2000cc) La Baule GP
|
|---|
|
Robert Eugène Brunet (F) |
|
* 8 Mar 1903
† 31 Jan 1981 |
Bordeaux
Garches, Île-de-France |
|---|
|
Two accidents during Brunet's boyhood had the consequence of two
trepanations of his skull. It is difficult to say if this fact had
influence on Brunet's personality, but it is certain that he looked
rather extravagant and sometimes a bit screwy. Women were the main
interest of Brunet's entire life; in this matter he could undoubtedly
put to effect his good looks. Of modest birth, Brunet married a young
and very rich noblewoman, the Countess of Choisel, in 1926. After some
sporadic starts in a Bugatti in the circuits held in fashionable resorts
at the beginning of the 1930s, he started racing seriously in 1933,
having purchased the ex-Wimille T51.
He raced among other for Ecuire Braillard replacing Louis Braillard.
Then he raced a Maserati 8CM until 1936 and switched to a Delahaye sports car for 1937, showing good
competence at the wheel of all these cars. During the war Brunet became
the owner of a factory which built accumulators for motorcars. He was
totally inept at business, but this factory just fell into his
hands. Business was so prosperous - thanks to contracts with the French
Army - that Brunet's factory had 400 employees by 1947. Still, women and
parties were his main concerns, so the firm, left by itself, folded
rapidly and declared bankruptcy in 1950. Meanwhile Brunet had given a
down payment for the 12th and last chassis of the Talbot Lago T26 Grand
Prix car and was expecting it for late 1948, but the car was not ready
for the last race at Monza. Brunet never took delivery owing to his
worsened financial situation, so this car was sporadically raced by the
works. Two further bankruptcies marred Brunet's professional life in
later years, but beautiful women were never missing from his side until
the last days of his life.
Brunet succumbed to cancer in 1982.
|
| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva & Jean-Charles Colombier) |
|---|
| | | |
1931: DNA Dieppe GP (Voiturette)
1933: DNF Pau GP /
DNF Tunis GP /
DNF Picardie GP /
DNA Nimes GP /
DNF Coppa Acerbo /
10 Italian GP
1934: 9 Casablanca GP /
3 Picardie GP /
6 Penya Rhin GP /
DNF Marne GP /
DNF (heat) Vichy GP /
6 Albi GP /
9 Nice GP /
7 Comminges GP /
2 GP de l´U.M.F. /
DNF Spanish GP
1935: 5 Pau GP /
DNF Tunis GP /
DNF Picardie GP /
5 GP de l´U.M.F. /
DNA Lorraine GP /
7 Dieppe GP /
DNA Comminges GP /
DNF Nice GP
1936: DNF Pau GP
|
|---|
|
|
Jacques Paul Marie Joseph (du) Brusles De Rouvroy (F) |
|
* 23 Jun 1907
† 21 Oct 1972 |
Calais, Pas-de-Calais
Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais |
|---|
|
|
| | | |
1939: 2 Frontières GP /
DNF (heat) Angouleme
|
|---|
|
Konrad Bryde (N) |
|
* 6 Nov 1912
† 19 Mar 1984 |
Bærum
? |
|---|
|
Norwegian racing driver and top FIA administrator.
Took part in ice-, dirt track- and road racing in the 1930s. Won the 1932 Norgesløpet in an Studebaker but usually raced a Wanderer.
Took a class victory at the 1933 Monte Carlo Rally being 11th overall. Retired from the 1934 Monte Carlo Rally after someone had put sugar in the
fuel tank. Also took part in the 1952-53 Monte Carlo Rallies.
Bryde's organizational abilities were soon discovered and he became a member at the sports committee of the Royal Norwegian Automobile Club (KNA)
at an age of 22. After the war he became fully committed to KNA and FIA. He worked as member (and also vice president) of CSI in 1948-60 and remained
listed as deputy member into the 1970s. In 1981 he was appointed FIA "Vice-Président d'Honneur". Was also vice president of FIA traffic committee.
He became vice president for KNA in 1947 and worked as president in 1963-67. Honorable member in 1974. Became member of KNA sports commission in 1957 and
led it from 1962-80. Later President d'Honneur. Was one of the founders of "Nordisk Bilsportkomite" in 1949. Chairman for KNA delegates 1969-73. Also worked for several years
as chairman of the national motor sports court of appeal and was member of the international court of appeal.
Also worked on several race organizational committees.
Knight of the Grimaldi order (Monaco), NAF, NMK & KNA gold medals of honor.
Died in 1984. One of his pet projects, Rudskogen Motorsenter, Norway's first real race track became reality six years after his death.
|
| (Info supplied by Anne Karine Bryde) |
|---|
| | | |
1935: 8 Norwegian GP (Ice race)
|
|---|
|
Angelo Joseph Bucciali (F) |
|
* 19 Dec 1887
† 2 Sep 1946 |
Arras
Rueil, Paris |
|---|
|
Older brother of Paul-Albert Bucciali. The brothers created their own Buc racing cars and luxurious Bucciali road cars.
Committed suicide 1946.
|
| (Info supplied by Simon Davis) |
|---|
| | | |
1928: DNS Algerian GP
|
|---|
|
Paul-Albert Bucciali (F) |
|
* 27 Feb 1889
† 1 Jul 1981 |
Arras
Paris |
|---|
|
Younger brother of Angelo Bucciali. The brothers created their own Buc racing cars and luxurious Bucciali road cars.
|
| (Info supplied by Simon Davis) |
|---|
| | | |
1927: DNA Provence GP
1928: DNF Algerian GP
|
|---|
|
René François Philippe de Buck (B) |
|
* 1885
† 8 May 1927 |
?
Chimay |
|---|
|
Bugatti agency at Bruxelles, 51 Blvd. de Waterloo.
Bought one of the works Bugatti T35T that had raced at 1926 Targa Florio and raced it himself.
Fatal accident May 1927 testing an Imperia racing car at the Chimay circuit, Belgium.
|
| (Info supplied by Michael Müller) |
|---|
| | | |
1926: DNF Spanish GP
|
|---|
|
"lo Bue" - SEE: "Lo Bue"
|
Marcel Buffy (F) |
|
* 1903
† ? |
?
? |
|---|
|
|
| | | |
1935: DNF Orleans GP
|
|---|
|
Ernst Günther Burggaller (D) |
|
* 21 Mar 1896
† 2 Feb 1940
|
Berlin
Meersburg, Baden-Württemberg |
|---|
|
The stocky built Ernst Burggaller from Berlin was a quiet, confident and reliable but also fast driver.
He had been a fighter pilot and member of the famous von Richthofen's "Circus" during WW1.
After the war he started a driving school in Berlin. In 1922, Burggaller started racing motorcycles winning 24 times
in 3 1/2 years. In 1928 he started car racing with a Bugatti T37. The next year he changed to Emil Bremme's T35B
sports car, finishing second to Caracciola in the 1930 European Mountain Championship for Sports Cars.
From 1930 to 1932, he formed the German Bugatti Team with H.J. von Morgen and Price zu Leiningen.
With a T51 engine in a T35B chassis rebuilt to monoposto, Burggaller proved to be the top German driver of the 1933 season,
finishing second 3 times in the Voiturette class. He was offered an Auto Union contract for 1934 but refused as he did not
belive he was good enough. On a special arrangement he took part at the German GP when Prince zu Leiningen was ill.
After some further Voiturette racing he joined Luftwaffe again as a Major in 1938. Leading Jagdgruppe II / JG51 he was
doing target practicing on Bodensee, some 4 km east of Meersburg, on 2 Feb 1940, when his Messerschmitt 109E went too low, touched the water and
after that crashed into a retaining wall.
|
| (Info supplied by Hans Etzrodt) |
|---|
| | | |
1930: DNF Monaco GP /
DNF (heat) Monza GP /
2 Czech GP
1931: DNF Monaco GP /
6 Alessandria GP /
DNF Eifel GP /
DNF German GP /
DNF AVUS GP
1932: DNA Eifel GP (Voiturette) /
DNA Lwow GP /
DNF German GP (Voiturette) /
? La Baule GP /
1 Czech GP (Voiturette)
1933: 2 AVUS (Voiturette) /
2 Eifel (Voiturette) /
DNA Frontières GP /
2 Lwow (Voiturette) /
DNA La Baule GP (Voiturette) /
1 Czech (Voiturette)
1934: 2 AVUS (Voiturette) /
3 Eifel (Voiturette) /
DNF* German GP /
3 Swiss GP (Voiturette) /
2 Czech GP (Voiturette)
|
|---|
|
Edmond Prosper Burie (F) |
|
* 8 Mar 1903
† 11 Nov 1970 |
Neuf Mesnil
Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Bruxelles, Belgium |
|---|
|
Born in Neuf Mesnil near the French-Belgian border 1903.
Listed as Emile Burie at the 1930 Belgian GP but obviously the same person.
|
| (Info supplied by Jean-Charles Colombier) |
|---|
| | | |
1930: DNF European (Belgian) GP
|
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© 2023 Leif Snellman - Last updated: 16.05.2023
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