Tazio Nuvolari

About

Considered one of the most accomplished motorcycle racers and race car drivers in the history of the two sports, he won two dozen Grand Prix titles and several Mille Miglias; Coppa Cianos; Le Mans; European Championships; Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophies; and Targa Florios honors.

Before Fame

After receiving his motorcycle racing license in his early twenties, he put his career on hold to drive an Italian Army ambulance during World War I. He entered his debut motorcycle race in 1920 and raced his first car the following year.

Trivia

After Nuvolari died of a stroke at age sixty, his funeral was attended by more than half of the people of Mantua, Italy.

Family Life

The son of Elisa Zorzi and bicycle racer Arturo Nuvolari, he grew up in Castel d'Ario, Italy. His more than three-decade marriage to Carolina Perina resulted in sons named Giorgio and Alberto; sadly, both of his sons died in their late teens (of myocarditis and nephritis, respectively).

Associated With

While a member of Enzo Ferrari's race car team, Nuvolari won the 1933 Le Mans race.