Report From Italy
REPORT FROM ITALY
CARLO PERELLI
EUROPEN ENDURANCE RACES are quite different from ones in the United States. In fact, they are for sports racers (the so-called "derived from the series" machines which must be on sale to the public) and are held over road race circuits. They can he compared to the famous 24-Hour Le Mans car race; the same starting system is used, with riders and machines on opposite sides of the track. At the flag, riders rush toward their mounts and kick furiously to get the engine going. Push starting is not allowed, so there is always an anxious and tiring job to do (the Japanese sports machines with electric starters are very seldom seen in these events). Many riders are left on the starting grid, kicking frantically. With cold plugs, high compression ratios and all, starting is hy no means child's play.
Forerunner of these European enduros was the "Bol d'Or." held on the famous Montlherv track near Paris, hike the l.e Mans event, it lasted 24 hours, and reached the peak of its fame in the ’thirties. When reorganized after the war. it never regained its former status, and was cancelled several years ago. So France no longer has this type of racing. In England, there is the Thruxton 500-mile, in Spain, the Barcelona event over the twisty Montjuich circuit used for the Spanish G.P.: and in Italy — for the first time this year after a long interval — the Monza endurance race was organized, one week after the Italian Grand Prix held on the same fast. 3X/i-mile track. As usual, two riders shared a machine, exchanging it at one or two hour intervals, according to the necessity.
Phis first Monza Six Hours Race didn't attract a large number of Italian competitors. and foreign entries were also scarce. However, the event still proved to he very interesting from the technical, sporting and spectacular points of view, and next year it will surely receive stronger participation.
The race was completely dominated hy the two 250cc works Aermacchis of Gilberto Milam Kenzo Pasolini and Alberto Pagani / Giuseppe Visenzi. In the early stages they were challenged hy some German and Fnglish 6()()ec and 650cc twins: another strong contender was a 50()cc Güera "Saturna" single which, though no longer in production, is a remarkable pushrod-operated ohv model capable of over 40 hp. still used b\ many Italian riders in G.P.-type racing and still favored on twisty courses for its "punch."
But soon the big opposition faded, mainl\ due to mechanical troubles, and the Aermacchi riders continued on unchallenged. still at an excellent average of 86.9 mph. After the fourth hour, however, the Milani Pasolini machine was struck hy gearbox trouble and forced to stop. Visenzi Pagani thus won at 87.95 mph. with their fastest laps in the 96 mph region (comparable performances were achieved hy the other Aermacchi before retirement); not had for an unfaired pushrod two-fifty not particularly pressed!
I he two machines fielded by the Varese factory were production racers with no particular tuning to suit the engine and the whole unit to this type of event. In fact, the technical director explained that he was so confident in the reliability of the Aermacchi he wouldn't change anything even for longer races. Only necessary modification was the fitting of the generator at the left side of the crankshaft, like on touring models, anti a large piece of rubber innertube was added to protect the carburetor in case of rain. •
