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1924- 17 agosto
Percorso: lunghezza 22,500
“IV Coppa del Montenero” (8 giri - km 180)
Classifica Generale
1) BALESTRERO Renato (LU), su.OM 2000, in 2h.34’.58” (media 69,690 km/h);
2) ZANIRATTI Ferruccio (FI), su Bianchi 2000, in 2h.35’.53”.1/5;
3) MARCONCINI Alete (PI) , su Chiribiri 1500, in 2h.43’.35”.3/5;
4) VALPREDA Federico (AL), su Fiat 501, in 2h.43’.51”;
5) BURGHERESI Vasco (FI), su Itala 3000, in 2h.54’.11”.3/5;
6) BARONCINI Aurelio, su Itala 2000, in 2h.59’.40”;
7) PIANETTI Guido Baldo, su Wanderer 1500, in 3h.02’.25”.2/5.
Classe 3000 cmc. (8 giri - km 180)
1) BURGHERESI Vasco, su Itala, in 2h.54’.11”.3/5 (media 61,296 km/h);
Classe 2000 cmc. (8 giri - km 180)
1) BALESTRERO Renato, su O.M., in 2h.34’.58” (media 69,692 km/h);
2) ZANIRATTI Ferruccio, su Bianchi, in 2h.35’.53”.1/5;
3) BARONCINI Aurelio, su Itala, in 2h.59’.40”.
Classe 1500 cmc. (8 giri - km 180)
1) MARCONCINI Alete, su Chiribiri, in 2h.43’.35”.3/5 (media 66,016 km/h);
2) VALPREDA Federico, su Fiat, in 2h.43’.51”;
3) PIANETTI Guido Baldo, su Wanderer, in 3h.02’.25”.2/5.
(Da: Maurizio Mazzoni: “Lampi sul Tirreno”, Firenze 2006)
IV° CIRCUITO DEL MONTENERO
Circuito Montenero - Livorno (I), 17 August 1924.
8 laps x 22.5 km (13.98 mi) = 180 km (111.8 mi)
Balestrero wins the IV Coppa Montenero
by Hans Etzrodt
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The IV Coppa Montenero did not attract the great stars of motorsport, as the race was a minor event. The 18 starters were divided into three categories for the
180 km race. The fastest was Antonelli (2000 Bugatti) who crashed on the second lap. Then Razzauti (2000 Ansaldo) was second but dropped out with bearing failure
after three laps. Marini (3000 Nesseldorf) retired after four laps with a broken radiator. Marconcini (1500 Chiribiri) was leading from second-to-fifth lap. When
trouble dropped him behind on lap six, Balestrero (2000 OM) inherited the lead and won after eight laps ahead of Zaniratti (2000 Bianchi), Marconcini (1500 Chiribiri),
Valpreda (1500 Fiat), Borgheresi (3000 Itala), Baroncini (2000 Itala) and Pianetti (1300 Wanderer).
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The races on the Montenero Circuit near Livorno (Leghorn in English) had been held since September 25, 1921, when the sportsman Paolo Fabbrini launched an event
to show that Livorno could organize a car race of some importance. Corrado Lotti (Ansaldo) was the first winner. The course was also called the Circuito del
Romito from 1922 onwards. The start was in Ardenza di mare at the Principe di Napoli bridge - then along Via della Torre - Via del Pastore - Via del Littorale
(Ardenza) - under the railway - Via di Montenero - Via del Castellaccio - Savolano - climbing up to Castellaccio - Via di Quercianella (the new road) - and then
the descent to the sea at Romito - Via Littorale - Antigua Barrier (Marroccone) - Via Amerigo Vespucci - Via Duca Cosinio - Via dei Bagni - Viale Vittorio
Emanuele II - to the finish at Ardenza di mare. The course remained unchanged and was considered difficult without being dangerous. The narrow road twisted
through 164 curves with steep gradients through the mountains and was a small replica of the Madonie in Sicily, but considerably shorter and did not allow high
speeds. Eight laps had to be driven round the 22.5 km circuit, a total of 180 km.
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Entries:
The Auto Moto Club Livorno held the 1924 Coppa Montenero for the fourth time. The 18 cars were split into classes, 1500, 2000, and 3000 cc. The 1100 category
listed only one entry, the Turin driver Filippo Sartorio, who was excluded. A complete list of entries is at the beginning of this report.
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Race:
Long before the start, a large crowd lined up along the circuit and had occupied the stands placed at the finish.
Because of the dusty dirt-roads, the cars were started individually from a standing start in order of their race numbers with intervals of one minute.
The starting procedures were the same as seen at the Targa Florio and Mugello.
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| 9:00 | 1 | Valpreda | Fiat | 1500 cc |
| 9:01 | 2 | Pianetti | Wanderer | ---"--- |
| 9:02 | 3 | Marconcini | Chiribiri | ---"--- |
| 9:03 | 4 | Masetti | Bugatti | ---"--- | Did not start |
| 9:05 | 5 | Razzauti | Ansaldo | 2000 cc |
| 9:06 | 6 | Antonelli | Bugatti | ---"--- |
| 9:07 | 7 | Fossati | CMN | ---"--- |
| 9:08 | 8 | Baroncini | Itala | ---"--- |
| 9:09 | 9 | Mecatti | Itala | ---"--- |
| 9:10 | 10 | Zaniratti | Bianchi | ---"--- |
| 9:11 | 11 | Balestrero | OM | ---"--- |
| | 12 | X | Itala | ---"--- | Did not start |
| 9:14 | 13 | Regal | Diatto | 3000 cc | Did not start |
| 9:15 | 14 | Fanucci | Nesseldorf | ---"--- | Did not start |
| 9:16 | 15 | Fontana | Fiat | ---"--- | Did not start |
| 9:17 | 16 | Raniza | Diatto | ---"--- |
| 9:18 | 18 | Marini | Nesseldorf | ---"--- |
| 9:19 | 19 | Borgheresi | Itala | ---"--- |
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At 9 o'clock sharp, Mr. Mori, president of the Italian Timekeepers Union --- totally supported by the official timekeepers Mr. Benedetti, Carpi, and Ghio --- counted down
the seconds and gave the 'go' to the first driver Valpreda (Fiat) who took off amongst great applause by the crowd. He was followed by the other cars at intervals of one minute. The last car, Borheresi (Itala), started at 9.19 a.m.
After the first lap, the 18-car field was indeed only 13 cars strong, because five of the registered drivers did not show up for the start, which were Masetti (Bugatti),
X (Itala), Regal (Diatto), Fanucci (Nesseldorf) and Fontana (Fiat). The order was as follows, after the first lap:
| 1. | Antonelli (Bugatti) | 18m42.0s | 2000 cc |
| 2. | Marconcini (Chiribiri) | 19m26.0s | 1500 cc |
| 3. | Balestrero (OM) | 19m46.0s | 2000 cc |
| 4. | Razzauti (Ansaldo) | 19m46.2s | 2000 cc |
| 5. | Zaniratti (Bianchi) | 20m15.0s | 2000 cc |
| 6. | Valpreda (Fiat) | 20m37.2s | 1500 cc |
| 7. | Raniza (Diatto) | 21m47.8s | 3000 cc |
| 8. | Borgheresi (Itala) | 21m47.4s | 3000 cc |
| 9. | Pianetti (Wanderer) | 21m50.0s | 1500 cc |
| 10. | Mecatti (Itala) | 22m26.4s | 2000 cc |
| 11. | Fossati (CMN) | 22m26.6s | 2000 cc |
| 12. | Baroncini (Itala) | 22m44.8s | 2000 cc |
| 13. | Marini (Nesseldorf) | 25m44.4s | 3000 cc |
At the end of the second lap, the 13-car field was down to 12 cars since Count Antonelli retired his blue Bugatti after he had set the day's record lap at 18m42.0s
at 72.19 km/h. Near the castle of Romito a tire burst, causing Antonelli to spin off the road with himself unharmed. With the fastest car gone the battle intensified between
Marconcini (Chiribiri), Razzauti (Ansaldo) who had passed Balestrero (OM) and Zaniratti (Bianchi), with the order as follows, after the second lap:
| 1. | Marconcini (Chiribiri) | 38m35.4s | 1500 cc |
| 2. | Razzauti (Ansaldo) | 39m38.0s | 2000 cc |
| 3. | Balestrero (OM) | 39m29.4s | 2000 cc |
| 4. | Zaniratti (Bianchi) | 40m01.6s | 2000 cc |
| 5. | Valpreda (Fiat) | 40m50.6s | 1500 cc |
| 6. | Borgheresi (Itala) | 41m35.4s | 3000 cc |
| 7. | Raniza (Diatto) | 42m46.0s | 3000 cc |
| 8. | Pianetti (Wanderer) | 43m15.6s | 1500 cc |
| 9. | Mecatti (Itala) | 44m40.0s | 2000 cc |
| 10. | Fossati (CMN) | 44m40.6s | 2000 cc |
| 11. | Baroncini (Itala) | 45m03.4s | 2000 cc |
| 12. | Marini (Nesseldorf) | 51m20.0s | 3000 cc |
After the third lap the field was down to 11 cars when Razzauti (Ansaldo) withdrew his Bugatti with bearing failure affecting the following order after three laps:
| 1. | Marconcini (Chiribiri) | 57m47.0s | 1500 cc |
| 2. | Balestrero (OM) | 58m54.8s | 2000 cc |
| 3. | Zaniratti (Bianchi) | 59m35.0s | 2000 cc |
| 4. | Borgheresi (Itala) | 1h01m03,0s | 3000 cc |
| 5. | Valpreda (Fiat) | 1h01m14.6s | 1500 cc |
| 6. | Pianetti (Wanderer) | 1h04m37.0s | 1500 cc |
| 7. | Raniza (Diatto) | 1h04m51.0s | 3000 cc |
| 8. | Marini (Nesseldorf) | 1h17m06.8s | 3000 cc |
| 9. | Fossati (CMN) | 1h06m34.8s | 2000 cc |
| 10. | Baroncini (Itala) | 1h06m39.0s | 2000 cc |
| 11. | Mecatti (Itala) | 1h06m53.8s | 2000 cc |
After four laps when Marini (Nesseldorf) retired with bad brakes and a damaged radiator the field was down to 10 cars with the following order
after the fourth lap:
| 1. | Marconcini (Chiribiri) | 1h16m52.4s | 1500 cc |
| 2. | Balestrero (OM) | 1h18m10.8s | 2000 cc |
| 3. | Zaniratti (Bianchi) | 1h18m56.4s | 2000 cc |
| 4. | Valpreda (Fiat) | 1h21m30.0s | 1500 cc |
| 5. | Borgheresi (Itala) | 1h24m54.4s | 3000 cc |
| 6. | Raniza (Diatto) | 1h25m34.0s | 3000 cc |
| 7. | Pianetti (Wanderer) | 1h25m36.6s | 1500 cc |
| 8. | Fossati (CMN) | 1h28m50.0s | 2000 cc |
| 9. | Baroncini (Itala) | 1h29m16.4s | 2000 cc |
| 10. | Mecatti (Itala) | 1h06m53.8s | 2000 cc |
The 10-car field was down to 8 cars after Raniza (Diatto) and Mecatti (Itala) retired with the following order after the fifth lap:
| 1. | Marconcini (Chiribiri) | 1h36m15.0s | 1500 cc |
| 2. | Balestrero (OM) | 1h37m30.0s | 2000 cc |
| 3. | Zaniratti (Bianchi) | 1h38m08.6s | 2000 cc |
| 4. | Valpreda (Fiat) | 1h41m45.4s | 1500 cc |
| 5. | Pianetti (Wanderer) | 1h47m28.4s | 1500 cc |
| 6. | Borgheresi (Itala) | 1h49m19.6s | 3000 cc |
| 7. | Baroncini (Itala) | 1h51m43.2s | 2000 cc |
| 8. | Fossati (CMN) | 1h51m56.6s | 2000 cc |
The 8-car field was down to 7 cars after Fossati (CMN) overturned and was forced to abandon. The driver sustained minor injuries while
the mechanic was bruised. Marconcini (Chiribiri) who had been leading since the second lap, on the 6th lap he was delayed by ignition troubles, handing the lead to Balestrero,
with the field in the following order after the sixth lap:
| 1. | Balestrero (OM) | 1h56m28.4s | 2000 cc |
| 2. | Zaniratti (Bianchi) | 1h57m27.2s | 2000 cc |
| 3. | Marconcini (Chiribiri) | 1h58m36.4s | 1500 cc |
| 4. | Valpreda (Fiat) | 2h03m21.4s | 1500 cc |
| 5. | Borgheresi (Itala) | 2h10m09.0s | 3000 cc |
| 6. | Pianetti (Wanderer) | 2h14m25.8s | 1500 cc |
| 7. | Baroncini (Itala) | 2h14m56.0s | 2000 cc |
The 7-car field remained the same, except Baroncini (Itala) passed Pianetti for sixth place with the following order after the seventh lap:
| 1. | Balestrero (OM) | 2h15m19.6s | 2000 cc |
| 2. | Marconcini (Chiribiri) | 2h20m05.4s | 1500 cc |
| 3. | Valpreda (Fiat) | 2h23m55.0s | 1500 cc |
| 4. | Borgheresi (Itala) | 2h33m30.4s | 3000 cc |
| 5. | Baroncini (Itala) | 2h37m33.0s | 2000 cc |
| 6. | Pianetti (Wanderer) | 2h40m26.2s | 1500 cc |
After completing the eighth lap, Balestrero (OM) crossed the finish line, victorious. He was just 55 seconds ahead of second-placed Zaniratti (Bianchi), who had started one minute ahead of the OM. During the race both cars were only seconds apart on the road, giving the impression that they were racing each other. This was not really a constant battle between these two drivers, as described in some reports, since the OM driver was always ahead in time of the Bianchi. After the first lap Balestreo was 31s behind Zaniratti. After the second lap 27.8s behind, after the third lap 19.8 s, after four laps 14.4s, after five laps 21.4s, sixth lap 1.2s behind and seventh lap 3.4s ahead of Bianchi on the road and at the finish just 5 seconds behind.
Marconcini (Chiribiri) finished third, Valpreda (Fiat) fourth, Borgheresi (Itala) fifth, Baroncini (Itala) sixth and Pianetti (Wanderer) last. There were ten retirements.
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Results
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Entrant | Car | Type | Engine | Laps | Time/Status | Diff |
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| 1. | 11 | Renato Balestrero | R. Balestrero | OM | 665S | 2.0 | S-6 | 8 | 2h34m58.0s | |
| 2. | 10 | Ferruccio Zaniratti | F. Zaniratti | Bianchi | 20S | 2.0 | S-4 | 8 | 2h35m53.2s | + 55.2s |
| 3. | 3 | Alete Marconcini | A. Marconcini | Chiribiri | Monza S | 1.5 | S-4 | 8 | 2h43m35.8s | + 8m37.8s |
| 4. | 1 | Federico Valpreda | F. Valpreda | Fiat | 501 | 1.5 | S-4 | 8 | 2h43m51.0s | + 8m53.0s |
| 5. | 19 | Vasco Borgheresi | V. Borgheresi | Itala | 51S | 3.0 | S-4 | 8 | 2h54m11.6s | + 19m13.6s |
| 6. | 8 | Amelio Baroncini | A. Baroncini | Itala | 51 | 2.0 | S-4 | 8 | 2h59m40.0s | + 24m42.0s |
| 7. | 2 | Guidobaldo Pianetti | Marquis G. Pianetti | Wanderer | 5/12PS | 1.3 | S-4 | 8 | 3h02m25.4s | + 27m27.4s |
| DNF | 7 | Enrico Fossati | E. Fossati | CMN | Sport tipo 7 | 2.0 | S-4 | 5 | overturned | |
| DNF | 16 | Giulio Raniza | G. Raniza | Diatto | 3000 cc | 3.0 | S-4 | 4 |
| DNF | 9 | Giuseppe Mecatti | G. Mecatti | Itala | 51 | 2.0 | S-4 | 4 | | |
| DNF | 18 | Giulio Marini | G. Marini | Nesseldorf | | 3.0 | S-4 | 3 | brakes, radiator |
| DNF | 5 | Mario Razzauti | M. Razzauti | Ansaldo | 4AS | 2.0 | S-4 | 2 | bearing | |
| DNF | 6 | Domenico Antonelli | Count D. Antonelli | Bugatti | T29 | 2.0 | S-8 | 1 | crash | |
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Fastest lap: Count Domenico Antonelli (Bugatti) on lap 1 in 18m42.0s = 72.2 km/h (44.9 mph).
Winner's average speed over 2000 cc (Borgheresi): 62.0 km/h (38.5 mph).
Winner's average speed 2000 cc (Balestrero): 69.7 km/h (43.3 mph.
Winner's average speed 1500 cc (Marconcini): 66.0 km/h (41.0 mph).
Weather: sunny and hot.
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Primary sources researched for this article:
Gazzetta Livornese, Livorno
Il Telegrafo, Livorno
L'Auto Italiana, Milano
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(by Hans Etzrodt in The Golden Era of Grand Prix Racing)
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Renato Balestrero (Lucca, 27 luglio 1898 Milano, 18 febbraio 1948) stato un pilota automobilistico italiano. Vinse 54 delle 217 competizioni automobilistiche disputate tra il 1922 e il 1947. Nato a Lucca, visse la seconda parte della sua esistenza a Genova. Partecip alla prima guerra mondiale come autiere. All inizio della sua carriera fu legato alle Officine Meccaniche: alla guida di una OM 655 vinse la Coppa Ciano nel 1924, e diverse gare nei nella stagione 1925 e nella stagione 1926, incluso il primo Gran Premio di Tripoli nel 1925. Compr una Bugatti Type 35T per 75.000 franchi con cui gareggi nel 1927 e nel 1929. Pass in seguito alle dipendenze della General Motors e guid vetture di marchio LaSalle nel 1928. Altre automobili guidate furono una Talbot 1700 (1931), oltre a una Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 e una Alfa Romeo P3. Poco prima la seconda guerra mondiale guid per la Scuderia Balestrero, che includeva lui stesso, Giovanni Balestrero e Clemente Balestrero. attiva dal 1954 e fu fondata a Lucca. Renato Balestrero mor all Ospedale Niguarda di Milano dopo un incidente stradale. Fu investito sul ciglio stradale nei pressi del casello autostradale di Milano durante un controllo della polizia mentre stava trasportando un motore all'officina Nardi-Danese. La vettura responsabile era una Lancia Aprilia della Gazzetta dello Sport.
Renato Balestrero 27 Jul 1898 - 18 Feb 1948
Renato Balestrero born in Lucca but a Genoa resident, was a very busy and successful racer whose career spanned 25 years and included over 200 races. Balestrero started racing in 1924 with an OM. The list of his best placings is exemplary of a solid and quick semi-professional driver of the Italian school, with victories in some of the Italian classic races, such as Montenero, Pescara and Tripoli. He won the 1st Libyan Grand Prix driving a 2.0L O.M. as early as 1925 and then raced Bugattis during1927. He slowed down his racing activity for a while, when he started an import business of American cars in partnership with the great Nando Minoia, which did not go very well. So, Balestrero moved up to international racing in 1933/34 when he drove for Gruppo Genovese San Giorgio, and also raced his personal Alfa Romeo Monza . From 1935 on he raced an Alfa Romeo Tipo B, entering it among other races in AVUS, Eifel GP and German GP 1937. Then he raced Belmondo's Alfa Romeo 308 in 1938. He came back to Italian races after the war with a third in a Fiat 1100 at Genoa in 1946. Then in 1947 Benevento 3rd (Fiat 1100), Sanremo and Bari 3rd (Alfa Romeo Monza), MM 9th (Fiat 1100) with Bracco. He was 1947 Italian Champion for the unlimited sports car class, winning his class at Vercelli, Aosta-Gran San Bernardo, Voghera, Sanremo hill climb, Piacenza and Varese, all in the Fiat-Stanguellini 2800 8C. Renato Balestrero died in 1948 in an accident near Milan on the Turin Autostrada. Balestrero had obtained from the Alfa Romeo factory a 6C marine engine which he was carrying in his car to bring it to Nardi in Torino to be mounted in a new ND sports car. He had stopped on a side and had come out of his car to show his load to a police patrol when he was run over by another car, a Lancia Aprilia belonging to sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport . He died soon afterwards.
1933: 6 (heat) Bordino GP / 6 Tripoli GP / 2 Targa Florio / DSQ Lwow GP / 6 Coppa Ciano / 9 Italian GP/ 5 Monza GP / 8 Czech GP
1934: DNF Monaco GP / DNF (heat) Bordino GP / 10 Tripoli GP / 4 Targa Florio / 7 Marne GP / DNF German GP / DNF Coppa Ciano / DNF Swiss GP / 5 Biella GP / DNF Algier GP
1935: 5 Targa Florio / DNF Tunis GP / DNF Tripoli GP / DNF AVUS GP / DNF Eifel GP / DNF (heat) Turin GP / DNF German GP / 12 Swiss GP / DNF Lucca GP / 4 Cosenza GP
1936: DNF Tripoli GP
1937: 5 Heat AVUS GP / DNF Eifel GP / DNF German GP / DNF Czech GP
1938: 7 German GP
1939: 11 Tripoli (Voiturette)
1940: 12 Tripoli (Voiturette) / 10 Targa Florio (Voiturette).
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