Raffaele Pinto facts for kids
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Pinto tests Lancia Stratos Turbo (1974)
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  Italian |
| Born | 13 April 1945 Casnate, Italy |
| Died | 8 December 2020 (aged 75) Cecina, Italy |
| World Rally Championship record | |
| Active years | 1973 – 1978 |
| Teams | Fiat, Lancia |
| Rallies | 19 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Rally wins | 1 |
| Podiums | 3 |
| Stage wins | 42 |
| Total points | 0 |
| First rally | 1973 Monte Carlo Rally |
| First win | 1974 Rally Portugal |
| Last rally | 1978 Rally Sanremo |
Raffaele "Lele" Pinto (born April 13, 1945 – died December 8, 2020) was a famous Italian rally car driver. He was best known for winning the 1974 Rally Portugal. Rallying is a type of car racing where drivers compete on public or private roads. These roads are often challenging, with conditions like snow, gravel, or dirt.
A Champion's Journey
Raffaele Pinto started his exciting journey in rally racing in 1968. He quickly showed his talent behind the wheel. In 1972, he achieved a big win: he became the champion of the European Rally Championship. He won this important title driving a special car called the Fiat 124 Sport Spider.
The next year, in 1973, a brand new competition began. It was called the World Rally Championship (WRC). This was a big deal for rally drivers around the world! Pinto joined the Fiat team and competed in this new championship. His biggest moment came in 1974 when he won the 1974 Rally Portugal, which was part of the WRC season.
After his success with Fiat, Raffaele Pinto moved to another famous team, Lancia, in 1975. He stayed with Lancia until the end of 1977. During this time, he drove the legendary Lancia Stratos HF, a very famous and powerful rally car.
Major Wins
Here is a list of Raffaele Pinto's victories in the World Rally Championship:
| # | Event | Season | Co-driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  8th Rally de Portugal |
1974 | Arnaldo Bernacchini | Fiat Abarth 124 Rallye |
