Giulio Masetti

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Giulio Masetti (1895 in Firenze - April 25, 1926 in Sclafani Bagni on Sicilia) was an Italian conte and racing driver, known as «the lion of Madonie»[1] from his dominating the Targa Florio in the early 1920s.

He was the older brother of racing driver, conte Carlo Masetti, and acquired his first car, a 4.5-litre Fiat S57 B14 from Antonio Ascari, in which he was fourth at X Targa Florio (1919),[2] and won the XII Targa Florio (1921). The next year, he won XIII Targa Florio in his privately entered ex-Otto Salzer 1914 Mercedes 4.5-litre 115 HP 18/100 (1922).[3] Masetti then raced an Alfa Romeo RL TF (second at XIV Targa Florio, 1923) before joining the Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq team. He was third in a Sunbeam 135 bhp 2-litre at French GP (1925),[4] but failed to finish the Spanish Grand Prix (1925) and II GP Rome (1926). He died in the XVII Targa Florio, driving entry #13, a Delage 2L CV.[5][6] The entry #13 is since this incident not issued at motorsport events.[7][8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Targa Florio 1922
  2. ^ Un pilota fiorentina: Giulio Masetti
  3. ^ Legendary teamleaders in the Targa Florio
  4. ^ The 1925 Automobile World Championship
  5. ^ Targa Florio 1926
  6. ^ Giulio Masetti
  7. ^ Giulio Masetti, 1922
  8. ^ Car #13