Report From Italy

REPORT FROM ITALY

CARLO PERELLI

HEROES AT MODENA

Many aspects of the Rimini meeting were repeated at the Modena autodrome for the second Italian international senior championship round. Extreme cold, rain and a poorly resurfaced, twisty track made riding at Modena daring for the men and destructive for the bikes.

In the 50 class, the Italian mounts, although improved and increased in number compared to Rimini, again were defeated. Rimini winner Gilberto Parlotti, on a water-cooled Yugoslavian Tomo, finished 3rd despite spark plug and clutch cable difficulties. He also recorded the fastest lap. Lombardi, on the rotating disc Guazzoni, had led the pack, but a broken piston put an end to his hopes. Then Francesco Villa and Sottili fought for the lead. Villa rode a dohc Honda Single, sold by the Japanese factory to privateers in the early ’60s, while Sottili rode the new rotating disc Minarelli. Victory was not claimed until very near the end when the two riders collided as they entered a tight turn. Sottili crashed, and Villa crossed the finish line 1st. Sottili followed, angry because he said he had been injured by his rival.

In the 125 event, it seemed nothing could stop Stuart Graham (Suzuki). He made the fastest lap, but the gremlins were waiting for him. On the next to last lap, his mount developed ignition troubles and so he was overtaken first by Walter Villa and Bertarelli (who had been following closely all the way) and then by Mandolini. So Graham finished 4th, while Villa succeeded in taking the checkered flag slightly before Bertarelli. Mandolini was 3rd. Both Villa and Mandolini rode seven-speed, rotatingdisc Mont esas, built by the Villa brothers, while Bertarelli had the new Aermacchi H-D. Bertarelli continues to perform well against more exotic machinery, especially on the twisty Italian circuits.

In the 250 race, it was Pasolini all the way on his Benelli Four. After Spaggiari retired with ignition troubles on his Ducati desmo, Aermacchi works riders Milani and Bergamonti were left to fight for 2nd place. When Milani slid, but miraculously didn’t crash, Bergamonti secured 2nd berth.

There was much anticipation, of course, for the Paso-Ago match in the 350. The cold and rain hadn’t dampened the enthusiasm of the 20,000 spectators, while the riders, even during practice, were quite determined—Paso to confirm the Rimini win and Ago to take revenge. Ago’s MV Three was just fractionally faster than Pasolini’s Benelli Four in practice.

But the awaited battle lasted just one lap. In fact, at the falling of the flag, Brambilla Vittorio, on the works shortstroke Aermacchi H-D, took the lead, followed by Pasolini, Agostini and the rest of the pack. On Lap 2, Agostini had to stop because of sticking carburetor slides, while Brambilla was forced to change a plug. So Pasolini continued unchallenged toward his second success of the day. Agostini restarted but, after another lap, the same trouble retired him. Brambilla, in spite of another pit stop to again change the plug and the battery, forged ahead to finish 4th. Spaggiari (desmo Ducati) and Milani (works Aermacchi H-D) battled for 2nd, with Spaggiari the victor.

Again on the MV Three, Ago comfortably captured 1st in the 500. As at Rimini, Bergamonti (Paton) had 2nd position, but slightly past the halfway point retired with a broken clutch and Mandolini (Moto Guzzi) took his place. The Lintos again were unlucky. Alberto Pagani retired from 3rd position with a locked carburetor slide and clutch troubles, and Jack Findlay, who suffered carburetor and ignition troubles, also gave up. After the first two rounds, the Paton holds a enviable position in the 500 chase.

RICCIONE

Good weather attracted huge crowds to the third round of the Italian Senior Championships at Riccione. The multitudes were attracted by such names as Hailwood, Read, Bryans and Graham, besides the Italians Pasolini, Bergamonti, Agostini and others. Lured by the starting money (Hailwood received about $5000), the foreign entries were happy to accept the organizers’ invitation, but, of course, couldn’t bring with them perfect machines. Hailwood brought the Reynolds-framed Honda Four last used a year ago. Although assisted by ex-Suzuki teamster Frank Perris, Mike was worried by the absolute lack of spares. He had to work like a privateer, but his riding was always the same and the crowd was excited by his show.

Thanks to Luigi Taveri, Ralph Bryans had succeeded in borrowing from the Lucerne Transport Museum the ex-Swiss champion 125 Five and 250 Four Hondas. Stuart Graham had his muchbattled Suzuki 125 Twin, though many mechanical problems kept him from qualifying. Phil Read brought a TD1-B Yamaha with disc brakes which was built about three years ago for the Manx GP. The bike was plagued by electrical faults and was hopelessly slow. In light of this showing of mediocre machinery, the Italian private riders, who receive much less starting money, threatened a strike. The race organizers managed to quiet things down shortly before flag time. Nonetheless, it was a day of fabulous racing.

In the 50-cc class, an Italian mount, Lombardi’s rotary valve Guazzoni, bested the “foreigners,” e.g. Parlotti’s Yugoslavian Tomo, Francesco Villa’s ex-factory Suzuki Single, and Buscherini’s dohc Honda Single.

Walter Villa (Montesa) held an initial lead in 125 class points, but this time he was not so fortunate. He had to pit twice to change a spark plug, then a battery, so he finished last in 15th place. Once sorted out from mid-field, Ralph Bryans had a runaway win. Lazzarini and Bertarelli, both Aermacchi H-D mounted, settled for 2nd and 3rd. The performances of the Aermacchis confirm the fine qualities of these simple and inexpensive Golden Wings, and show them capable of competing with the exotic Montesas and Villas.

In the 250 race, Bruno Spaggiari led for three laps until a rocker in the desmo head of his Ducati broke, forcing his withdrawal. Pasolini then took the lead and held it comfortably to the finish. Riding Aermacchi H-D works machines, Bergamonti and Milani had a three-way dice with Yamaha mounted Visenzi for 2nd place. At the end, it was Bergamonti, Visenzi, then Milani. Last away from the start, Bryans retired his already smoking bike because of ignition problems. Read finished, but could manage only 11th place due to two pit stops for plug changes.

Highlight of the day was the violent Ago-Paso match. The first rode an MV Three and the second, a Benelli Four. Riding to the very limit (Paso was particularly exciting), the two champions exchanged the lead several times. Then, from the halfway point on, Paso stayed in front and in the last laps even widened the gap over his rival. This was his third win over the two-time world champion. Bruno Spaggiari (Ducati) placed 3rd, while Vittorio Brambilla, who is to ride for MV in the future, placed 4th on a works Aermacchi. Veteran Gilberto Milani was slowed by oil on the rear tire, lost ground, but doggedly held on for 5th place.

There were great hopes for the 500s and it was clear from the practice times that Ago was faster than Mike. But you never know—for nearly half the race they diced gallantly, thrilling the crowd. Then, as was expected, Ago opened the taps of his Three and went on alone. While Mike held 2nd to the finish, there was the usual fight among the Italian machines. Bergamonti held on to 3rd with his Paton until his clutch let go (as it had at Modena the week before). So the Paton honors were left to young Bertarelli to defend against Pagani’s Linto. The fight was rather uncertain until Pagani had to retire because of an electrical failure caused by a short in his electronic rev counter. So the Paton again had the best of the Linto, while 4th place was taken by Campanelli on a Seeley-Matchless.

PASO AGAIN SUPREME AT IMOLA

After a week of continuous rain, wind and cold, perfect weather graced Shell’s Easter Monday “Golden Shell,” held at the Imola Autodrome. This hilly, 3.12-mile circuit also will be the site of the Italian Grand Prix, rather than the traditional Monza track.

Unlike Riccione the previous week, no top foreign riders competed. Unfortunately, these riders lack machinery to match their skills. The organizers instead invited Heinz Rosner, John Cooper, Bill and Barry Smith, Billie Nelson, Ginger Molloy, Tommy Robb and Franta Stastny. Assisted by good mounts, they enlivened the fight for runner-up positions in the three major classes.

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Crowds flocked to the race circuit early in the morning to claim seats for the highlight of the day, the Ago-Paso 350 duel. To the regret of his legions of fans, especially the ladies, Agostini, for the fourth consecutive time lost to the dashing Pasolini. The quick succession of the Italian spring meetings has hampered testing of the new six-cylinder MVs, which retired MV race chief Vittorio Brambilla has been called upon to help develop. To improve damping and braking of the 350 MV Three, Ceriani front fork and “anchor” had been fitted, with little success. Even so, Ago’s machine seemed a bit faster than Paso’s slightly smoother Benelli Four, so the merit for the Pesaro factory’s successes belongs to Pasolini.

Bespectacled Renzo, who won the 350 at Imola last year in the rain, had been dramatically faster than Giacomo during practice in the wet. In the race, he trounced his rival’s lap and distance records. Going a bit wide in a bend, Pasolini momentarily lost the double world champion, but soon regained control of the race. In the closing stages, he ended the breathless scrap by pulling away from the frustrated Agostini.

Also of interest in the 350 was Silvio Grassetti. The former Bianchi, Güera, MV and Benelli teamster had hoped to secure two works six-cylinder Hondas for the season, but bought a pair of the new seven-port Yamahas just in time for Imola when this plan failed to materialize. Because a crash during practice resulted in a bent frame, he was unable to compete on his 250 machine. But, though he clearly is unaccustomed to the howling two-stroke Twin, Silvio easily held 3rd place throughout the 350 race in front of such factory riders as Spaggiari, Milani, Carruthers and Cooper. Bruno Spaggiari (Ducati desmo) after a great dice succeeded in heading Güberto Milani and Carruthers (both Aermacchi H-D-mounted). Cooper, on the new, low AJS-Seeley, after a fierce scrap, had to surrender to the Italian single-cylinder machines.

Besides the usual Ago-MV victory, the 500 offered a tussle for 2nd place between Cooper, on the new low Matchless-Seeley, and Carruthers, on the new 3 8 2-cc Aermacchi H-D. Finally the Australian puüed away, whüe Cooper,

in a desperate attempt to reach his rival, crashed, but remounted and conserved 3rd berth. Two other 382-cc Aermacchi H-Ds competed in the 500. One, straddled by Müani, led for three laps (ahead of Agostini!) before retiring with ignition troubles. A private mount, ridden by Italian rider-journalist Patrignani, after a slow beginning took 6th place, leaving behind a Norton Manx and a Matchless-Seeley. Though handicapped by smaller displacement, these new Aermacchis are really fast!

Alberto Pagani (Linto Twin) was unlucky again. With ignition faults producing 1000 rpm less than optimum, he pushed his Aermacchi-based mount ahead of Carruthers, but retired shortly with a broken rocker. Three Patons entered the 500, but all suffered ignition troubles. Angelo Bergamonti retired at halfway, but Bill Smith and Nelson battled for 4th place, which eventuaüy was gained by Smith.

Heinz Rosner (MZ Twin) led the 250 for a few laps, but Pasolini soon left the East German champion farther and farther behind. Thus he secured the second win of the day aboard his Benelli Four.

After Milani (Aermacchi H-D) and Spaggiari (Ducati) retired, Bergamonti, also aboard an Aermacchi, easüy maintained 3rd place in front of a horde furiously fighting two-stroke riders. Perris, making a comeback on a Suzuki Twin, placed 4th, ahead of Nelson (Yamaha) and Molloy and Zubani (both on Bultacos). Robb had to retire his Yamaha Twin-engined Bultaco when the engine seized.

The 50-cc event featured a race-long, record-breaking fight between Parlotti (Tomos) and Lombardi (Guazzoni). Parlotti pipped his rival on the line.

BUT IT’S AGO AT CESENATICO

Fifth round of the Italian spring meetings, Cesenatico offered three facts. First, to the delight of his rather depressed fans, Agostini finally beat Pasolini in the 350 race. Second, after a tracing troubles session at Monza, Alberto Pagani (Linto) bested Angelo Bergamonti and the other Paton riders. Third, dashing veteran Bruno Spaggiari succeeded in taking his works Ducati desmo ahead of the works Aermacchi H-D not only in the 350, but in the 250 as well.

In the 250, of course, it was Paso all the way on his Beneüi Four. The exciting scrap for 2nd place included Spaggiari (Ducati), Bergamonti (Aermacchi H-D), Milani (Aermacchi H-D) and Visenzi (Yamaha). Spaggiari passed Bergamonti just at the line. Milani and Visenzi, who had dropped slightly behind near the finish, battled for 4th, with Milani the winner, despite a broken rear brake cable. So, this time the Ducati desmo had the best of one Aermacchi, while the other headed Visenzi’s Yamaha.

For 19 of the 24 laps of the 350 race, there was the usual thrilling show by Paso and Ago, as they traded the lead, and continuously scored new lap records. The final record was set by the Benelli champion. But on Lap 19, while passing a slower rider, Paso lost contact with his rival, who, immediately aware of the new situation, rode to the limit to conserve the slight advantage to the end.

As at Imola the previous week, Silvio Grassetti (Yamaha) held 3rd position undisturbed throughout. Spaggiari (Ducati) and Bergamonti, Milani and Carruthers (all on Aermacchis) scrapped for 4th berth. Near the finish, Spaggiari and Bergamonti succeeded in widening the gap, and Spaggiari finally claimed the position.

The race also saw the debut of Bill Ivy on a Jawa Four. The improved Czechoslovakian mount, lower than last year, had been fitted with transistorized electronic ignition and oil pump, but suffered ignition and carburetion troubles. The “beatle” rider climbed only to 7th place before retiring on Lap 10. On Lap 9, veteran. Stastny, on a similar mount, had given up. Ivy believes the Jawa Four has excellent potential (though its stated 72 bhp seems rather optimistic) and after some work may contend for top honors in world championship events.

In the 500, in spite of a very quick getaway, which enabled him to lead Agostini for a few laps, Bergamonti (Paton) was soon caught by Pagani (Linto), who went on to a well deserved 2nd place. Main trouble with the Linto, faulty contact breakers, was solved by the latest tests at Monza. The machine was 4 to 6 mph faster than the Paton.

The 3 82 Aermacchi H-D made another fine showing. Carruthers and Milani stayed well ahead of such impressive machinery as Bertarelli’s Paton, Cooper’s and Campanelji’s Seeleys, and Findlay’s Linto. But when all were looking for their final dash, only Carruthers appeared at the finish, in 4th place. Milani had been stopped by a broken clutch in the final lap.

AGO RETIRES AT CERVIA

The month of Adriatic Coast spring meetings ended at Cervia. After this Pantagruelian banquet will come Sanremo, the last round of the Italian International Senior Championship, then a sad vacuum until the Italian GP in the fall. The interim allows the Italian riders , and factories to seek the world championship, but after the spring indigestion, Italian enthusiasts will get very hungry again.

The Cervia meeting was graced throughout by perfect weather, but, unfortunately, not by Mike Hailwood. He had requested $4800 to compete, but the organizers’ limit was $2400. Missing also were Spaggiari and Grassetti, who were hospitalized by slight injuries which resulted from a collision during practice for the 350.

Ago rode the usual Three in both the 350 and the 500. He said that the Six probably will debut at the West German GP, and he definitely will ride the new MV weapon in the TT.

In the 50, Parlotti (Tomos) and Lombardi (Guazzoni) had their usual racelong fight. Bergamonti, first time out on the new Minarelli, was last away, but forced his way up to 3rd place. Parlotti again beat Lombardi on the line.

In the 125, after an initial challenge from Walter Villa (Montesa), who soon retired with ignition trouble, Ralph Bryans, aboard a five-cylinder Honda, scored an easy victory. The new Aermacchi H-Ds filled the next six places, except 3rd which was taken by one of the new Villas.

In the 250, Bergamonti (Aermacchi H-D) resisted Pasolini (Benelli) for a few laps, but, in spite of performing miracles in braking and cornering, he had to let Pasolini by. Milani (Aermacchi) succeeded in fighting off Bryans, who was out on a four-cylinder Honda. Bryans finally retired with ignition trouble, as at Riccione.

The absence of Spaggiari prevented the usual 250 and 350 Aermacchi-Ducati battles, particularly awaited because, as the Ducatis were gaining an advantage, the Aermacchi riders were forced to push their mounts harder. And, the popular Ago-Paso scrap in the 350 had the 40,000 spectators on their feet for only a few laps. Ago rocketed into the lead, leaving Paso far behind, but on Lap 6 the double world champion was stopped by a broken gearbox. So the Benelli champion scored his second walkover win of the day, and secured the 350 Italian Senior title.

The best Paton and Linto riders had no luck in the 500. Bergamonti, who initally had led winner Agostini, retired from 2nd position near the finish with a locked gearbox and a destroyed clutch. On Lap 2, Pagani crashed, fortunately without injury, when a broken chain locked the rear wheel of his Linto. Australian Carruthers (Aermacchi H-D) staved off Molloy (Bultaco) to claim 2nd.

Sidecars competed in the Adriatic Coast events for the first time this year. Italian champion Dal Toe (BMW) led comfortably from the start. But Swiss Castella won, after Dal Toe, without personal injury, went off the track.

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NEW FROM ITALJET-INDIAN

Leopoldo Tartarini, ex-Ducati rider and now head of the Italjet factory near Bologna, is producing new models at an almost unbelievable rate. Using engines from various factories, such as the F.B. Minarelli, Jawa, Velocette, Munch, Royal Enfield, and Triumph, he has designed machines from 50 to 750 cc, with variations in each class.

Interesting newcomers to the ItaljetIndian range are two scramblers. One is fitted with a 100-cc rotary valve, fivespeed, 13-bhp Jawa engine, and the other with a four-speed, 100 orthodox two-stroke 10-bhp Franco Morini. Both mounts have unusual frame structure, 3.00-19 front and 4.00-18 rear tires, and weigh approximately 175 lb. The rectangular section rear swinging arm holds the oil for chain lubrication, and the rear shock absorbers are adjustable.

THE 500 DRIXTON

Frame specialist Othmar Drixi has produced yet another special, the 500 Drixton. Fitted with a greatly modified Honda Twin engine, it weighs only 285 lb. Engine displacement has been in creased to 500 cc, and the stroke from 70 to 74 mm (bore remains 58 mm). A new crankshaft-connecting rod assembly has been installed, and larger than stan dard valves are controlled by orthodox springs. Two rubber-mounted Dellorto 38-mm GP carburetors also are used. Top rpm is 10,500. A saving in weight is achieved by the unique frame, which is fitted with B.E.B. suspension; the front fork lower legs are electron. In spite of ignition trouble, the Drixton 500 has shown good promise; Australian Dennehy Terry rode it in the Italian spring meetings. More information is available from Drixl, Officine Baroni Egidio, Via Buonarroti 40, Quartiere sul Naviglio, Milan, Italy.