AN AMERICAN DREAM

In the life of a man five years are not necessarily a long time. But they are not a very short one. At least it depends on that, what can be achieved within this period. To achieve a little more than a modest form of prosperity in the United States of America, this period is also long enough. When the twins Mario and Aldo Andretti arrived at Nazareth/Pennsilvania in the year 1955, they even were at the age of 15. There had been the escape from their birthplace Montona near Triest in Italy, Titos communists had conquered and integrated into the multiracial state of Yugoslawia. And there was not only the desire for freedom but also for a life under material secure circumstances. "We wanted to become rich again" - and return to Italy until their 20th birthday. There had been an Alberto Ascari, and there still existed Ferrari and the Autodromo di Monza: Ideals and values to define themselves.

In this case the American way of motor racing is very different. There are the Midget and Stock Cars, but above all the 500 Miles Of Indianapolis and the races been related to. The European Mario Andretti made an American career. "The best contract of my life" was the naturalization in 1964 and one year later, still as a rookie, he became a star in Indianapolis. In spite of that it took five times trial to earn victory there. When Mario Andretti succeeded at least in 1969 the stickers on the bodywork of his car did not only show the logos of the sponsors but also: 9th Infantry Division Vietnam. No, that was not the psychology of war, but only a little mental support for the soldiers in the hell of South East Asia knowing their personal defeat coming nearer and nearer.

To be on the pole position at ones Grand Prix debut is a nearly impossible thing. Only Carlos Reutemann, Jacques Villeneuve and Mario Andretti (1968 at Watkins Glen in a Lotus) ever did it. Colin Chapman gave the decisive impulses for his Formula One career and created the basis for winning the world title in 1978. Technically with the Lotus Ford 79. And on the human side with contracting the loyal ajutant Ronnie Peterson. Nevertheless others had become important. Andy Granatelli from STP made Andretti compete in his first complete Grand Prix season in 1970 with the newly founded March team. Rufus Parnell Jones, having himself won Indianapolis and the Baja California, produced with the Parnelli Ford an all-American Grand Prix car for him. Enzo Ferrari after all made him join his works team for the 1971 and 1972 seasons having the same rights as Jacky Ickx and Clay Regazzoni. And once again in the end of 1982, after Gilles Villeneuve death and Pironis accident, when Andretti decided to quit his Formula One career. Successfully. On the other hand Alfa Romeo and Le Mans became more or less nightmares for Mario Andretti, who even drove once, 1982 in Long Beach, for Sir Frank Williams.

Klaus Ewald

Graphics: project * 2000

© 2002 by researchracing

l Home l