Nuvolari Returns to Form

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23145, 17 September 1938, Page 16 (Supplement)

Nuvolari Returns to Form

ITALIAN GRAND PRIX VICTORY

OUTSTANDING among the world's motor racingdrivers, the famous little Italian "ace," Tazio Nuvolari, has won the Italian Grand Prix, according to advice received in Auckland by cablegram this week. This success in itself is not surprising—nor is it the first time that Nuvolari has won the principal event of the Italian racing year—but it is of special significance that he was at the wheel of an Auto-Union, and not an Alfa-Romeo, making it possible for-Germany to share in the honours. Italy's acknowledged maestro of the wheel, a veteran of motor racing who graduated from that most difficult of schools, motor-cycle racing, Ntnolaii has been several times champion of Europe, and has not always dri\ en Italian ears exclusively. He won in Ireland, some years ago, with an M.G. Maguette with which 110 had only a faint acq laintanco, tor example, but his major successes have invariably been associated with one name ill the motor world, that of AlforPomco, Italy's premier racing ear. For years Alfa-Romeos swept ajl before them. Competition from France, Germany, Britain and even tho United States was swept disdainfully aside by these superb cars. In all the countries of Europe, Nuvolari and his fellowmembers of-the Scudera Ferrari finished in one, two, three order, any exception from this being hailed with delight by the country from which Ihe lucky car came that could displace any of tho formidable scarlet single-seaters. Grey-haired, undeniably simian, dashing and altogether superb at tho wheel, Nuvolari defied advancing years. An occasional crash disturbed him not at. all. He once had himself.smuggled out of hospital, to drive, and gain a place, with a log still in plaster, and again, it is said that lie abandoned his car almost on the starting-lino to fly back to Italy to the bedside of an ailing son. A strange mixture, this wiry little man, who is generally acknowledged to be the finest road-racing driver the world has ever known. German engineers were smarting under a scries of Italian successes.

Slowly, and with infinite pains, they produced the Mercedes and Auto-Union racing cars as they are known to-day, and Alfa-Homeo began to have fewer victories. "Monopostos," "bi-motores" and other Italian replies to German progress could not stave ofi the challenge, and Nuvolari was in great distress. He was still the finest driver, but ho was not winning, simply because his country could not produce a fast enough car. The newei Alfas could do only a modest 180. German cars often broke the 200 mile an hour mark. Nuvolari wont to the United States, and there he met the much-publicised American drivers. With his Alfa tuned to the last ounce, he steered calmly round the new, specially-built speedway to take the Vanderbilt Cup from a dozen surprised Americans. Some of thcni he nearly lapped, so superior was his skill, and the cup 110 won was bigger than himself. Back to Europe again, Nuvolari was handicapped by too slow a car, and recently lie made his decision. He commenced driving an Auto-Union, and loud were the lamentations in Italy. Sportsmen elsewhere, however, generally considered he had done wisely; it, they said, Italy could not give her master-driver a suitable ear in which to win, why should be not look elsewhere? His first appearance with the Auto-Union, product of tho famous German scientist, Dr. Porsche, was not successful. He slid off the road and damaged his car, finally finishing fourth at the wheel of a team-mate's machine. This week saw Nuvolari hack where he belongs, out in front of the field to receive tho lam el wreath of victorv.