Baconin Borzacchini facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baconin Borzacchini |
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Borzacchini in 1932
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| Born | Baconino Francesco Domenico Borzacchini 28 September 1898 Terni, Umbria, Italy |
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| Died | 10 September 1933 (aged 34) Monza, Lombardy, Italy |
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| Champ Car career | |||||||
| 1 race run over 1 year | |||||||
| First race | 1930 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis) | ||||||
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Baconin Borzacchini (born Baconino Francesco Domenico Borzacchini, 28 September 1898 – 10 September 1933) was a famous Italian racing driver. He was known for his speed and skill on the track. Sometimes, he raced using the name Mario Umberto Borzacchini.
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A Young Racer's Journey
Baconin Borzacchini was born in Terni, a town in the Umbria region of Italy. When he was just 14, he started working in a garage. There, he learned how to repair cars and motorcycles. After serving in the army during World War I, he began racing motorcycles.
In 1926, he switched to car racing. Over the next two years, he won six "hillclimbing" events in Italy. These races involve driving up a steep road as fast as possible. He also won important races like the Etna Cup and the 1100cc class at the Targa Florio in both 1926 and 1927. He even beat another future star, Luigi Fagioli.
His success caught the eye of the Maserati racing team. He joined them and continued to win, including the Terni-Passo della Somma and the Coppa della Collina Pistoiese. In 1928, he won the Coppa Gallenga hillclimb, driving a Maserati.
Setting Records and Changing Names
On 28 September 1929, Borzacchini set a new world record for speed. He drove a Maserati V4 at an amazing 246.069 km/h (152.900 mph) over 10-kilometre (6.2 mi)! That same year, he finished second in two other big races: the Circuito di Alessandria and the Tripoli Grand Prix.
In 1930, Italy was under a government that wanted everyone to use Italian names. Borzacchini's birth name, Baconin, was linked to a Russian revolutionary. Because of this, he was asked to race under the name Mario Umberto instead.
Maserati decided to enter the 1930 Indianapolis 500 race in America. Borzacchini's car had a new, sleek design that was very modern for the time. Many thought he had a good chance to win this famous race. Sadly, his car had engine problems early on, and he had to stop after only seven laps. Later that year, he won the 1930 Tripoli Grand Prix and another hillclimbing event in Genoa.
Teaming Up with Legends
In 1931, Borzacchini joined Scuderia Ferrari, racing Alfa Romeo cars. He became very good friends with his teammate, Tazio Nuvolari, who was another racing legend. Although Borzacchini won the Circuito di Avellino, he often had bad luck or finished just behind the brilliant Nuvolari. He came in second at the Targa Florio, the Grand Prix of Monza, and the Italian, Belgian, and French Grands Prix.
In 1932, driving the new Alfa Romeo P3, Borzacchini again finished second to Nuvolari at the French Grand Prix and the Coppa Ciano. He also took third place at Germany's Großer Preis von Deutschland. However, he achieved a huge victory that year! With co-driver Amadeo Bignami, he won the very tough Mille Miglia race. He ended the 1932 season as the second-best driver in Europe, right behind Nuvolari.
After 1932, Alfa Romeo stopped racing their own cars and sold them to Enzo Ferrari. Borzacchini then rejoined the Maserati team. He raced alongside Luigi Fagioli and Giuseppe Campari. In March 1933, he continued his strong performance, finishing second to Nuvolari at the Grand Prix of Tunisia. In April, he was second again at the Monaco Grand Prix and third at the Avusrennen in Germany. At the 1933 Targa Florio, he set the fastest lap but had an accident that forced him out of the race.
A Tragic Day
10 September 1933 was a very sad day in racing history. Two races were held at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Italy. The first race, the Italian Grand Prix, finished without problems. But in the afternoon, another race called the Monza Grand Prix was held on a wet track.
Borzacchini was racing very closely with his teammate Giuseppe Campari for the lead. Campari's car hit a patch of oil, crashed, and he died. Borzacchini tried to avoid the oil but couldn't. His car spun and rolled over. He was taken to the hospital but sadly passed away later that day. Another driver, Count Stanislas Czaykowski, also died in a crash at the same spot later in the race.
Baconin Borzacchini raced in over one hundred events during his career. Even though he didn't win as many races as some other famous Italian drivers, he was greatly admired and respected by everyone. To honor him, a race track in Magione, Italy, was named the "Autodromo Mario Umberto Borzacchini".
He is buried in the cemetery in his hometown of Terni.
Major Career Victories
- Camaiore Circuit 1926
- Targa Florio (Junior class, 1100cc) 1926, 1927
- Etna Cup 1928
- Tripoli Grand Prix 1930
- Coppa Principe di Piemonte 1931
- Mille Miglia 1932
