In the first of a two-part series, Robert Newman explores the amazing life and career of “The Flying Mantuan” – Tazio Nuvolari

Warm sun, drivers in short-sleeved shirts, jacketless officials, some spectators in shorts: the amiable warmth of midsummer had already eased its way over to Mantua, northern Italy. It was June 13, 1948, a special day in the life of the ancient walled town. The cream of Italian motor racing was there as a mark of respect for Tazio Nuvolari, the man they called il maestro, the master, to compete for a trophy he had donated. It was the day of the Coppa Alberto and Giorgio Nuvolari, a race organized by the Auto Club of Mantua of which Tazio was president, and named after Nuvolari’s two sons, Giorgio who died of myocardial infarction in 1937, and Alberto who succumbed to nephritis 10 years later.

It was also the day on which Nuvolari put his thoughts into words and admitted to himself and his old friend and rival, Achille Varzi, that he was definitely going to retire.