THE CHINA MAIL, THURSDAY, MAY 26, 1960.
SPORT WAS THEIR
THEIR DESTINY
Alberto Ascari
he
was born into speed
By JOHN COTTRELL
The temperature was soaring into the nineties. The air
shuddered to the thunder of exhausts.
The famous firm of Alfa-Romeo were testing their Grand Prix cars for the 1923 season and the fastest of them all was in the hands of the champion of Italy, Antonio Ascari, Three times his red car flashed around the Monza track before Ascari pulled into the pits and nodded his satisfaction to the chief mechanic. Then, as he stripped off his goggles, the champion saw the gleam of excite ment in the eyes of a chubby, five-year-old boy.
The great Ascari grinned and pointed to the driving seat, "All said. right, son, get in," he
"That's all you've ever wanted to do since you crawled out of the cradle."
Never wavered
The boy's heart jumped a beat, Fearing his father might change his mind, he scrambled eagerly into the driving seat, almost dis- appearing beneath the scuttle of the Alfa Romeo's cockpit.
Ascari
the climbed into mechanic's seat beside him. Then, with only the briefest
£12,000 Australian golf tournament
Melbourne, May 25.
Gary Player, of South Africa, the British Open champion. and
instruction, the boy started
up and drove away one of the
the fastest
Dar world.... Alberto Ascari was born into speed, lived for speed and died at speed. From that. Arst moment at the wheel of a Grand wavered in Prix car, he never his resolution to make motor- racing his career - a carcer which reached a triumphant climax 30 years later when he became the first racing driver to win the World Championship in two sucressive years.
practised racing every day. Then he ran away from col- inge and began racing 00 Gilera and Bianchi machines.
Italy was crowded. with would-be Nuvolaris in pre-war days; it was almost impossible to break
into four-wheel racing without a privately-owned rac-
ing car.
First big race
But that didn't stop Alberto. Nothing could dissuade Al- He constantly badgered factories berto from a racing career-not and sponsor: until finally, in even the fate which overtook his 1940, he talked Enzo Ferrari into famous father on July 25, 1925, entrusting him with one of his The Italian champion, then two new B15 two-seater sports leading in the French Grand cars entered for the tortuous Prix at Montihery, misjudged a Mille Miglia. curve, struck the fencing, bounced back against the barriers and somersaulted
SPORTING SAM ·
devoted to his wife and two children. He was generous in his praise of other drivers. But behind his quiet, mild manner and his Latin charm the burly, broad-shouldered
master in' the Sea Remo buman person, Grand Prix. The positions were reversed in the first-ever Sil- verstone British Grand Prix, but in Buenos Aires, early in 1949, Alberto again beat experienced Villoresi.
Ascari's apprenticeship was over. Now he Was often
"arms
Italian concealed the stubborn- ness and toughness of a treat champion.
faster than the man who had He had steel hard nerves, taught him the new, relaxed superb timing and never-failing straight" style of courago. He was world chem- driving-and so outstanding plon at time when motor sport that he was signed up by was crowded with giants- Fangio, Farina. Hawthorn, Mcss, Ferrari,
Gonzales, Villoresi. The late Mike Hawthorn, 1958 world.
maintained champion,
that Ascari, given the right car, was virtually unbeatable.
Butt
Villores also joined. was Alberto who stole all the honours, At once he showed the world that he was as great as his father had been and that
first year with Ferrari saw him hailed as champion of Italy and a leading contender for the first World Championship.
World title
-
Miraculous escapes
But tragically Alberto Ascari was destined to follion his father's brilliant career in every respect to triumph, and to tragedy.
Reg. Wootton.
London Express Service
the quar, and into the blue of the Mediterranean .
cruiser
and
Page
MILESTONES OF SPORT
He started with a `duck'
By ARCHIE QUICK
Yorkshire's visit to Cambridge University's gracious ground at Fenners recently recalled vividly to my mind a similar occasion 25 years ago-a day of great significance to English cricket.
The Tykes from the Broad But eved Acres were at the height of Sutcliffe
was bellib
Herbert us that
their power in the mid thirties this boy, is the best defensive
spray and steam. No one ex- pected to bed Ascari alive games again.
His car narrowly missed an anchored cabin disappeared in cloud of and included in their randce batsman in the world." He was Buch stalwart household also to become the best bad ad Sulcite, Mitchell, wicket batsman in the world; Leyland, Sellars, Verity, Wood, following in the footsteps of Barber and Turner. For three Sutcliffe and Sir Jack - Hobbs years they had been champion as a great artist when taking a
although Lancashire turning ball. county,
win it that Hotton
to were destined to
captain England in later
угоди summer of 1994.
against Australla, the West Indies and New Zealand, but never did he skipper his
blue
Then, suddenly, the helmet of Ascari bobbed to the surface. Frogman dived to the rescue and the idol of Italy was rushed to hospital. He was suf
from shock and a fering only sikht nose injury.
Knighted
country. During the railway journey Only four days later Astari do the East Anglian city a He became an honorerý went to Monza, scene of his youngster of 17 who had never member of the MCC, scor JT OVER greatest triumphs, to prepare for travelled beyond Yorkshire in 40,000 runs nearly 7,000 of the Grand Prix of Supercorte- his life, was on his way to a thera in Test Matches - once maggiore. Friends told him to date with destiny. He was Breached almost 3,500 runs in 4 rest, but he would not listen joiner's apprentice who was season, and compiled 129 cen His love for racing was para upon the threshold of realising turkes. 'mount,
his burning ambition to play for his native county. More than that, he was to become one
Keanness had made the Italian a great driver. Now it was to finish him.
Tragedy
་
Aloof
of England's greatest opening But unlike his great con-
It took Alberto two years to smash the domination of Alf Romeos. Then, in 1952, he cap- tured the world title by win- ning six of the seven Grandes
no less. The stripling from easily. But there can be Ascort Junlor was 22 years old. Epreuves a 100 per cent record since he had missed the first reca of the season. They called him "The Invincible."
sickeningly it was his first big ruce. Yet he before crashing to the track,
and made the led the eld fastest lap in the 15-re class hefore mechanical trouble forced him to withdraw.
War interrupted
Father's passion
Alberto's
Australia's Peter Thomson, four ¦ Mangled and crushed, Ascari times holder of that title are had his right leg amputated in among the entries for £12,000 the ambulance. But he died be- career almost as soon as It had sterling golf tournament to before he reached hospital in begun and it was 1947 betore held in Australia from Septem-Parts.
lic re-appeared on the race track ber 17 to October 10.
Strangely, this tragedy served now as the prodigy of the Sten Leonard (Canada) and Mike Souchak (Valted States) only to harden the determination greal Luigi Villoresi. will see compete in the tournas ment, which is sponsored by the W. D. and H. O, Wills Tabarco Company and wilt be played over nine 18-hole courses in Australian states.
The
Next Ascari won the first three Grandes Epreuves of 1953, establishing a record which may stand for all time -nine Grandes Epreuves vio- iaries in succesion,
After maay miraculous escapes, it seemed that Mie was at last
elusive to overtake Ascari on May 22, 1955, when he was driving for Lancia in the European Grand Prix at Monaco. The Mercedes of Fanglo and Moss were much faster than the Lancia on this round-the-houses circuit, and it took all Ascari's skill to keep them in sight. Burt, by half-way, both his rivals had retired with mechanical troubles and the crowd waved and cheer- ed widly to show the Italian that he was in the lead.
At 1 pm, on May 26, Ascani came out of the track restaur- ant to watch his friends Villoresi and Eugenio Castellott as they He was tested their Ferraris. still sore and bruised from his accident, yet he could not resist the temptation to try his skill with a Ferrari once more.
He persuaded Castellotti to let him have a spin round the track.
the harbour wall. Eighty Without a tremor, four
There will be prize money for each match as well as for the en-
162-holes tire Reuter.
tournament.-
Four D. Jones BY MADDOCKs
IT'S NO GOOD. I CAN'T DO BUSINESS HERE, I'LL GO AN FLOS EM TO AN OLD CHINA I KNOW,
FERDINAND
NANCY
WHO'S THAT?
BANG
BANG
Do
batsmen and the day was to temporary, Denis Compton, he
achitted to never
complete come when he would go Buckingham Palace and be popularity. Indeed, this con knighted by his Queen,
troversial figure pever gought it. He is aloof, almost tacitum, Yes, Sir Leonard Hutton, and does not make friends
Pudsey got plenty of advice gainsaying that the 17-year-old from his teammates on the Tsary pegister a "d" at trip to Cambridge, and when Benners that sunny day of I first met him at the Blue | 1934 · did achieve greatness. Boar Hotel the evening be- And his shrewd business hand fore the match he was has amassed him a considerable silent figure in the presence · förlure,
of so many of his boyhood. heroes.
Sports Diary
TO-DAX
Tennis Men's "D" Section A: EKU
For two laps the boyish-faced
Young Len. went down to Ascari drove quite gently. Then, Fenners
a good hour before When the man of destiny re-
going faster on the third lap, his the match and had a "net" tained the world title that year The promising pupil and his
Ascari's rod Lancia roared out flame-red Ferrari skidded widly and Yorkshire, having rat of seven-year-old Alberto.
he told reporters: "The credit is
on comer that he would knock, ran up a total of 495 boy had his father's passion for
grey-haired tutor were inse-
not all mine and Ferrari's. A of the dark curving tunnel down speed. His dreams, his plans,
"Gigi" taught Ascari tot belongs to him." And as be towards the light tum leading normally have taken flat-out for eight before declaring. activities all parable. spare-time
It smashed
How did the débutant fare? his centred on one aim: To become every racing trick he knew. spoke. he pointed to a portait to
supreme confidence of 3 greying man' with smiling times he had negotiated this into a tree and overturned, the in his amoiety, he ran himself gave him
Section B: CCC (0) V BKCC; No obstacle was toe great impressed him the need for eyes and a reckless mouth. His turn. But this time he misjudged wheels spinning in the air, the out for a "duck" and did not
father,
get a second innings. As joker KTGCA CRC (1): HAT v. Recreio. of a second, engine still roaring.
White-haired Villoresi. bis for Alberto Ascarl, the young strict training.
Mixed "E Dividin: SCAA V CCC; Maurice Leyland put it: "Never UC V ÉCE. Eccred his Everyone red and admired enough to rocket him through
former man
tutor, was the first to mind lad, you've started at the
Mosting He was an extremely the straw-bales, over the edge of boug bi
and first major victory, beating his Alberto. a motor-cycle
reach. the Italian.
bottom and you can't do worse.eling, Kaducation Department, 050 Executive Committee than that."
a motor ace.
Alberto At 17 be· In 1048 of destiny.
CHINA!
DID YOU HEAR THẤT HE'S GONNA FLOG'EM
TO CHINA?
POP
STOP MATE
TAKE NOT A CHINESE CHEQUER
WE'LL TALK, WE'LL SETTLE
NAME YOUR PRICE. IT'S ALL YOURS
By Mik
ink
By Ernie Bushmiller
-UNTIL
AFTER
IBANG
BANG
BANG
BANG
NOW HE WON'T
BE ABLE TO
HEAR ANY
REMARKS**
THE GAME
MY
UNCLE
HE'S
A VERY SENSITIVE
TYPE
BRICK BRADFORD
OKAY SADIE, WE HAVE THE FIRST. TWQ STAGES TOGETHER?
FINE! LETS GET
THE OTHER SHIPS
IN PLAGE/
4
KRIS AND I WILL HANDLE THAT! YOU TAKE OVER THE CONTROLS
OF THE ARST SHIP AND SEE THAT WE STAY IN ORBIT AROUND TITAN WHILE WE'RE DOING THE JOB! : |
THAT'S RIGHT WE COULD FALL BACK TO TITAN! I CAN CONTROL THE SHIP.
BY FIRING THE
EXTREMITY FUEL PODS ON THE TAIL ASSEMBLY!
By Paul Norris
SO THE OPERATION CONTINUES...ONE BY
ONE, THE SPACESHIPS ARE JOINED INTO A
TASED SHIP
GET ABOARD AND EASE THAT SHIP THIS WAY, KRIS
it by a fraction
Sheaffer's
Newest
SWISSA||}
BALL POINT PEN
AVAILABLE AT
ALL GOOD STORES......
Ah! That Food! That Service! That Sanssait!
SWISSAIR
2nd Mountaine
ROWNTREE'S
DELICIOUS
SMARTIES
MAILK CHOCOLATE BEANS
You can be SURE
if it's.
Stripped to the waist by the trash, he lay soaked blood, dying from a deep cheat wound. They rushed him to hospital, and gave in- Jections in desperate effort to start. the movement of his heart.
But it was too late. The idol of Italy was dead.
The trial crash, still unex- plained, occurred on the track where the five-year-old Ascari had been introduced to motor- racing. Like his father he had died on the 26th of the month.
Ami, like his father, he was 36 years old.
CHESS
by LEONARD BARDEN
White's interesting opening novelty of 9 PQR3 brings him a quick victory in this game from last year's International tournament
Стасом (Korchnol. Witkowski). PQ4, Kt-KB3; 2
B-Kt2.
PXP:
Q-84; 100-0. PXP: 11 B-Q2 QKt-83: 12 BXP. Q-K47 (losing a piece, but if it DARMA Is very strong){13
13 QK: B3, Kt-Q B-QB3, 4XKB: 14. Kl-CG, Resigns, for it 14.9-24 BxB B-RS: 18 ́ KE QQ2: 17 KtxB QXEt: 18 BXR
Solution-No. 5825; 1 B-R2 (threat 2 R-B7), B-94; 3 Q-R8, of 1.....
Q-H4. or 1... Rx B: 2 PXR. London Bipraví Barvica
GC (1) KCCSA Stanley C HỌC Y U.....
HKAAA
p.m.
As each year passes, the work of the Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis Association shows a steady upward trend. Programmes being carried out preventive and curative and the good results obtaining are contributing widely to the hever ceasing campaign which the Association is waging against the greatest enemy to good health in the Colony today.
Very much more work still remains to be done however more hospital beds. are, for instance, urgently required. The extent of the Association's activities is dependent on the support given by the public of Hong Kong,
During the month of May a special appeal is being made to YOU to donate generously and so help in the efforts that are being exerted to control tuberculosis in the Colóny.
Cheques should be crossed and made payablo też
The Hong Kong Anti-Tubérculoslé-Association". and forward either to
Lowe, Bingham & Matthews, Alexandra Haline,
or to this Newspaper.
18
Repair
Protection IN BETTER THATS
Protect YOUR DAR FROM Rusting
UNDERNEATH
WITH
GY-FER
ONE TREATMENT ( UNDER-SPRAY 1
LASTS 3 MONTHS
BATE
APPROACH
ZF
42. PORCITAL STATT KELIN ENGL