CARLO BONOMI 1971-75 With the triumph in Poole for the Needles Trophy 1975 Carlo Bonomi reached 22 wins in individual races of him brief but highly rewarding career as an offshore pilot. A career that began in 1971, almost on the sly with a wooden boat built by Cantieri San Marco, which until then had only experienced in racing in inland waters. In 1972, the big breakthrough with the purchase of a boat became unbeatable, the Cigarette 36, but especially with the supply agreement in exclusive for the Europe of the new powerful engines set of the former boss of Mercury,Carl Kiekhaefer,now he arose on their own. A combination of hull and engines in the USA had become unbeatable in the hands of the former ace of the outboards,Bob Magoon. Kiekhaefer rely on Bonomi the most valuable of his mechanics,Richie Powers and the results will come soon, with the Italian now fighting for the world title but lost narrowly in favor of MerCruiser powered Rautbord. Defeat which was mainly due to incorrect choice of not run out of Europe in the early stages of the championship. Four victories in 1972, starting with Naples, and among these is that of Cowes thanks to a tactical intelligence of the navigator to make up for a late in the first leg. The 1973 sees the achievement of professionalism of Bonomi, first of all in a sport often dealt by others drivers with improvisation. Get help from the Martini Racing, creates the team with a team manager, Cesare Fiorio, estabilish a workshop in Turin, draws on the expertise on board and ashore of Attilio Petroni, keeps Powers, buy two others 36 and the World Title comes after a long struggle with Balestrieri, not only in race but unfortunately also legal. There are seven races in which enrolled his name among which the Miami-Nassau. The 1974 is the confirmation that his choices are the right way to triumph. He decides to go hunting for easy points in South America, like before did so Balestrieri, Wishnick and Rautbord and the rest of the season becomes almost a routine to victory, other sects, among which the Bahamas 500 with his new 35 Cigarette and again at Cowes with the 36. In 1975 Bonomi would like to retire but then thinks better of it also seems pushed by the sponsor Martini but in the meantime has already reduced its fleet in just two boats, a 36, the last acquired in 1973 and which will drive only in Europe and a 35 that stay on in the United States. Waiver, however, the trip in the earlier of the year in South America and the error will be fatal because his new rival, the Brazilian Franz, who in the meantime has become the new darling of Kiekhaefer, did there quest for victories, 4 of 4, and points never bridgeable. Despite all its Bonomi ago 4 races among which finally Viareggio-Bastia-Viareggio that eluded him for 3 years and get to the last race in Key West with even chance to win the World Title. But at this point there is a break with the boss Kiekhaefer and then into his 35’ are put hastily the MerCruisers. But in the pre-race test does not give the expected results, the boat is definitely not a point as the fussy Bonomi would and so lose the final duel with Franz but not without having sold his life dearly. After 5 years of racing at a high level in a sport very trying Bonomi leaves with a prize list of the highest in history; 2 Sam Griffith Trophy, 2 vice-champion, 2 European Titles, 1 National, 1 South American, 22 races. In 1986, the name of Bonomi returns to be talked about for the solitary occasion of a world record in the category Diesel Offshore with a 25 Buzzi powered Aifo setting 98,1mph. Marco Bertini 2014
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 10:59:44 +0000
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