2 replies to this topic

[Nanni Dietrich]

From a (very) old thread, now in TNF's Archive:

https://forums.autos...a-abruzzi-1934/

 

In 1934 the Targa Abruzzi, 24-hour race held on the 25.8-kilometer road course of Pescara, Italy, was won by the Alfa Romeo 6C 2300A of Severi-Cortese, followed by the sister cars of Barbieri-Tadini and Rosa-Comotti.

 

Severi-Cortese in the same car, won once again in the 1935 edition of the race, this time ahead of team mates Rosa-Comotti and Mongin-"Paris" in a Delahaye 3000.

 

Many sources, including Emanuele Alberto Carli's book "Settant'anni di gare automobilistiche in Italia" (which is usually a reliable and substantial source, with some, occasional bugs) indicate the names of the winners as Francesco Severi and Cesare Cortese.

 

This is incorrect, Severi's partner was definitely Franco Cortese, who was part of the Alfa Romeo works team since 1932.

 

The incorrect information was spread to other accounts and thereafter the mistake propagated to many other books, websites, etc.  It is impossible to find trace of a driver named Cesare Cortese in Italian motorsport.

 

[Porsche718]

You are correct.

 

Most results sites list Cesare Cortese as the co-winner (with Severi) of the 1934 and 35 Targa Abruzzi, but most bio sites includes these two races in Franco Cortese' list of victories.

 

So it would appear that one error had been propagated by all those unwilling to research correctly.

Edited by Porsche718, 12 October 2023 - 11:25.

[Jahn1234567890]

As historians and serious researchers will know it was very common in this era for names to be misspelt (or even the wrong name used) in newspapers, magazines or sometimes even in official documents.

This is a good example where this was carried over to book publications later on, and so on, and so on... Up to the point where the wrong info is accepted as the truth.