I recently came across some comments by Tony DeLorenzo of Vette racing fame that I thought described the Mario I remember seeing race. The comments were about the 1970 Twelve Hrs of Sebring, which Mario won in a backup car exchange mid-way in the race.

"Mario came by me about a half hour from the end going like the hammers of hell....you could recognize who was who in the dark by the lights. The 512M had two rectangular auxiliary lights mounted low/center that were easy to pick up in the mirrors. Of course, I knew what was going on, so Mario's aggressive handling of his 512 was pretty easy to spot. In GT class, we were stuck (in speed capability) between the big engine prototypes and the slower cars, so we constantly had to watch in both directions so we didn't get caught up in something stupid. At any rate, I was entering the infield on the short chute before the esses, approaching two slower cars. I saw Mario coming and was trying to gauge his closure rate with mine to the slower traffic, and where we would end up for the first left in the esses. Damn....Mario was instantly (or so it seemed) alongside me, and the normal thing would be for him to have his car drifting left. Nope. Mario kicked the Ferrari into a right-hand four-wheel drift as he went by, cleared the traffic to his right and was lined up perfectly for the right-hand exit to the esses, headed for the hairpin, and gone. Damn. I think the advanced driving instructors would refer to that as "false apexing" in today's world. You and I would call it dirt-tracking, or why Mario is a world champion. It was a privilege to see." (from AE)

 

Ummm, did he die? Awesome quote/experience either way.

 

No. But I think he felt like he did after he retired. I read recently that after retiring he had major regrets and felt he was just tired. Within 6 months he was rested up and wanted to come back but realized so much was made of the event that he didn't.

 

Yeah I heard that recently too. It's a shame I never really got to see him race live.

 

That was my first thought when I saw the thread titile.

 

I just love that little movie/documentary he was involved in about restoring his first racecar, I can't recall the name now but I can watch that thing over and over and be moved each and every time.

I always liked Mario, but don't feel that way about his sone Michael...

 

I believe the film is "Superspeedway" It's a great IMAX film!

 

Yes, it was Super Speedway and the behind the scenes were pretty cool as well.

Also, catch a much younger Mario in a documentary made in 1972 called The Speed Merchants, great film.

Warren

 

Hey thanks for the head's up!


And you guys are right, Super Speedway IMAX. Man I could just watch that over and over and over. You see not only do I live for modern hi-tech raceing machines, but I just love the vinatage thing. Of all the races I go to each year, the Zippo Vintage Weekend at The Glen is just about the best of the best!!!

 

Even after attending the one in '04 damn near killed me.