Ascari's Ferrari 375 Complete
Mar 26, 2016 19:40:10 GMT -5
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Post by 1961redlegs on Mar 26, 2016 19:40:10 GMT -5
I completed this evening a replica of Alberto Ascari's Ferrari 375 in which he contested the 1952 Indianapolis 500.
In 1952 five Ferraris entered the 500, of them only the one driven by soon-to-be back-to-back World Champion Alberto Ascari made the field. He started 19th and got up to eighth by lap 40 when his right wheel collapsed, spinning his car and ending the race for him. He finished 31st in his only start as Troy Ruttman went on to win. A disappointing day in a superlative season for the second generation driver.
Donald Davidson tells of a funny story that occurred during his month at IMS. It appeared that Ascari knew no English and one day he struggled in practice and the frustration was palpable on his face. A young, cocky future two-time winner (there were two that race) said,"well Alberto, I guess you're going to have to stand on it a little harder." To which Ascari presented his helmet and goggles to the racer and bowed in an indication Ascari knew what the man said.
Davidson didn't name the driver but it was either Bill Vukovich or Rodger Ward and from what I know of the two men it was probably Ward. He was brash in his youth, he'd later marry, calm down and become a two-time winning senior statesman. I love this story as it's an intersection of two outstanding drivers at different times in there career and it's hilarious.
The car is from the recently released Fernando Pinto kit. It's a fantastic kit that went together as well as any resin kit I've ever built, it's crisply detailed and sharp all around. I painted it Tamiya Italian Red with the kit decals. All in all a fun build.
In 1952 five Ferraris entered the 500, of them only the one driven by soon-to-be back-to-back World Champion Alberto Ascari made the field. He started 19th and got up to eighth by lap 40 when his right wheel collapsed, spinning his car and ending the race for him. He finished 31st in his only start as Troy Ruttman went on to win. A disappointing day in a superlative season for the second generation driver.
Donald Davidson tells of a funny story that occurred during his month at IMS. It appeared that Ascari knew no English and one day he struggled in practice and the frustration was palpable on his face. A young, cocky future two-time winner (there were two that race) said,"well Alberto, I guess you're going to have to stand on it a little harder." To which Ascari presented his helmet and goggles to the racer and bowed in an indication Ascari knew what the man said.
Davidson didn't name the driver but it was either Bill Vukovich or Rodger Ward and from what I know of the two men it was probably Ward. He was brash in his youth, he'd later marry, calm down and become a two-time winning senior statesman. I love this story as it's an intersection of two outstanding drivers at different times in there career and it's hilarious.
The car is from the recently released Fernando Pinto kit. It's a fantastic kit that went together as well as any resin kit I've ever built, it's crisply detailed and sharp all around. I painted it Tamiya Italian Red with the kit decals. All in all a fun build.
