Renzo Pasolini facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Renzo Pasolini
Renzo Pasolini in 1970
Nationality	Italian
Born	(1938-07-18)18 July 1938 Rimini, Italy
Died	20 May 1973(1973-05-20) (aged 34) Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Italy
Motorcycle racing career statistics Grand Prix motorcycle racing Active years 1964–1973 First race 1964 350cc Nations Grand Prix Last race 1973 250cc Nations Grand Prix First win 1969 250cc Dutch TT Last win 1972 250cc Spanish Grand Prix Team(s) Aermacchi, Benelli Championships 0 Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 46 6 35 N/A N/A

Renzo Pasolini (born July 18, 1938 – died May 20, 1973), also known as "Paso," was an Italian professional motorcycle racer. He competed in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championships from 1964 to 1972.

Even though he never won a world championship, Pasolini was very popular. Fans loved his brave and exciting riding style. He was famous for racing with an open-face helmet and black glasses. This was unusual because most other racers had started using full-face helmets. Pasolini won five Grand Prix races during his career. He almost won the 1972 250cc world championship, losing to Jarno Saarinen by just one point. Sadly, he died along with Saarinen in an accident at the start of a race in 1973.

In 1985, a motorcycle called the Ducati Paso 750 was named after him.

Early Life and Racing Start

Renzo Pasolini was born in Rimini, Italy. This area is known for its strong motorcycle racing history. His father was also a motorcyclist and introduced Renzo to racing at a young age. Renzo started his motocross career in 1958. Before that, he was also interested in boxing and football.

Pasolini was a unique athlete. He smoked and enjoyed parties, which was not typical for a racer. His way of taking corners on the track was also special. He combined balance and speed in a daring way, often looking like he was about to fall off his bike.

Switch to Road Racing

When Renzo was in his twenties, he decided to switch from motocross to road racing. In 1962, he started racing with an Aermacchi 175cc bike. He quickly won two races, beating another famous racer, Giacomo Agostini. This started a long rivalry between them.

Renzo took a break from racing for two years to complete his military service. While in the military in Sardinia, he met his future wife, Anna. They had two children, Sabrina and Renzo Stefano.

Pasolini riding a Benelli to victory at the 1969 250cc Dutch TT.

Pasolini returned to racing in 1964. He rode Aermacchi 250cc and 350cc bikes in senior races. In the 1965 Italian championship, Pasolini raced a Benelli. He finished second in the 250cc class and third in the 350cc class. The year 1966 had mixed results for him. However, he won the final race of the Italian championship on a new four-cylinder Benelli 500.

With a better bike, Pasolini could compete with the top riders. This led to exciting races against Mike Hailwood, who rode a Honda, and his old rival Agostini, who rode an MV Agusta. In the 1968 season, he finished second in the 350cc championship. He also won the 250cc and 350cc Italian titles that year.

Pasolini (2) chases Giacomo Agostini (1) during the 1970 350cc Dutch TT.

The 1969 season had mixed results for Pasolini. He lost the 250cc world championship to his Benelli teammate, Kel Carruthers. For the 1970 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season, new rules limited the 250cc class to two-cylinder bikes. Because of this, the Benelli team decided to focus on the 350cc class.

After a difficult season, Pasolini left Benelli. He joined Aermacchi, which had recently teamed up with Harley-Davidson. Much of the 1971 season was spent testing the new Aermacchi/Harley-Davidson 250cc bike. It took a long time to develop, and the final bike was not better than most others. Many new, talented racers appeared, including Jarno Saarinen. In the 1972 season, Pasolini lost the 250cc world championship to Saarinen by just one point.

Tragic Accident

Renzo Pasolini died at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza on May 20, 1973. He had to stop early in the 350cc race due to bike problems. Then, during the first lap of the 250cc race, he fell. Jarno Saarinen, who was right behind him, could not avoid him and also fell. This caused a big accident involving many riders, and both Pasolini and Saarinen sadly died.

Pasolini was buried in the Monumental Cemetery of Rimini. His motorbike helmet and some items from his victories are kept at his tomb.

The Ducati Paso Motorcycle

In 1986, Ducati Motor Holding introduced a new motorcycle called the Ducati Paso. It was named after Renzo Pasolini. The bike was designed by Massimo Tamburini, who helped start the company Bimota.

Motorcycle Grand Prix Results

Here are some of Renzo Pasolini's results from his Grand Prix racing career.

Points system from 1964 to 1968:

Points from 1969 onwards:

(Races in bold mean pole position; races in italics mean fastest lap.)

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