Report From Italy
REPORT FROM ITALY
CARLO PERELLI
END OF SEASON
The Sanremo-Ospedaletti event on the Riviera marked the end of the national, as well as the European racing season. As usual, a huge crowd lined the tricky course which runs among beautiful villas, flower fields and vineyards overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
In the smallest class, the Italians again proved they haven’t built a top level mount, even though they produce these 50-cc machines by the thousands. None could even challenge the German works Kriedler, straddled by Rudolph Kunz, which won at record speeds.
The 125 class was a different story though. Parlotti and Isnardi on Morbidelli Twins both outpaced Dieter Braun (Maico Single) after a very hot struggle. Finally, Parlotti won at record speed, but his teammate, Isnardi, crashed while lapping a slower rider. Braun finished 2nd. It is interesting to note that Phil Read’s lap record on the four-cylinder Yamaha is resisting strongly, in spite of quicker race averages.
In the 250, Jarno Saarinen again impressed everyone and it was his first time out on the circuit! As usual, he rode a Yamaha without works assistance.
Saarinen’s start was mediocre at best, but he soon settled down and closed on the leader, Phil Read (Yamaha Special). A couple more laps and he actually passed the world champion! Unfortunately, the misfire which plagued him at the start reoccurred and he had to be content with 2nd place.
Pasolini retired while 3rd when his new chrome-bored Aermacchi seized mid-way through the contest. The same thing happened to his teammate, Mandolini, a few laps later, indicating that the Italian Twin’s reliability is still questionable. Aermacchi technicians have gathered a lot of data though, and plan to considerably modify their 250 and 350 two-strokes before next season. They are keen to produce mounts for works and private riders that are capable of beating the seemingly invincible Yamahas.
In the 350, Saarinen was even more unlucky. His gearbox jammed in the last lap while he was running 2nd, and it was too far to push to the finish line.
The opening stages saw Ago, Paso, Saarinen, and Mandracci pull away.
Then Ago, thrilled by the violent Saari nen style, decided to part cothpany with the group. He increased the pace and won yet another victory on his MV Three. Paso finished 2nd, after Man dracci dropped out with big-end prob le ms.
Against Ago's lone MV Three in the 500 (Pagani had been left home to carry on with tests of the chain drive 750 Sport Four) there were no less than three works Ducati Twins straddled by Read, Giuliano, and Parlotti. In the opening stages, Gallina (Paton) led, but
a painful cramp developed in his right arm and slowed him down. Ago went on to win with the three Ducatis in close formation behind him. The works Du cati mounts are quite reliable now and are squarely beating a handful of excellent Kawasaki Threes ridden by Capanalli, Simmonds, Bertarelli and Zubani.
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Ducati is apparently on the move. They are producing 500 and 750 Twins for private riders and plan to build a multi-cylinder machine as well. Ing. T aglioni has several projects in his drawer, from a Four to possibly a Six. Compliments and good luck!
SERIES RACING CONFUSION
Series machine racing is now quite popular in Italy, but it is accompanied by violent protests because the rules are too strict. This makes it easy to infringe on them because they are difficult to enforce.
Fortunately, the Italian Federation is doing something about it. For 1972, they are introducing a Daytona type formula, not only because it is infinitely less complicated, but because some Italian factories are now keen in this American style of racing. Ducati and MV are among them.
This year, though, Laverda proved superior both at Modena and Vallelunga. On the twisty Modena course, the team of Angiolini/Pescucci took the Breganze Twin to 1st place. The team of Bertorello/Loigo won at Vallelunga. Their strongest opponent, the V7 Moto Guzzi, suffered mishaps both times. At Modena it was involved in a pile-up and at Vallelunga the rpms fell off in the final stages, letting the Laverda by for the win.
MILAN SHOW WITH NOVELTIES
After the big bike fury started a couple years ago, many people began realizing that modern medium-displacement bikes could offer them sufficient riding pleasure without the “worries” generally connected with the big guns. Because of this, the Italian factories displayed several new middle-weights at the Milan show.
The most appealing new mount, at least at the moment, is the 350 Moto Morini Twin, with the cylinders laid out in a longitudinal V that is slightly off-set for cooling reasons. The ohv pushrods act in squarely designed heads, derived from the successful factory trials mounts. A five-speed gearbox is used.
This is the first completely new medium-weight design to come out of Italy for many years, and tests have been very satisfying.
AGO TO RIDE MV AGAIN
As usual, rumors are widespread concerning Ago’s racing contracts. Car racing aside, some well informed types spoke of a $ 1 15,000 contract to ride De Tomaso Benellis. Such is not the case, however. Ago has again signed with MV.
What’s more, MV is preparing a 750 Sport version with chain drive for him to ride in formula racing, and he is looking forward to competing in the U.S. with it. Ago, you see, has been shocked by the fabulous amount of money it is possible to earn statesidecompared to European standards, that is.
