Vincenzo Balestrieri, a Top 10 in the Top 100????

[Ratickle]

I have spent a lot of time over the past month doing research on Vincenzo since his passing. The more I researched, the more I was convinced he belongs within the highest pinnacles of the Top 100.

I hope you enjoy the information I was able to put in the Inside story honoring the Count. There are a lot more out there I did not have the room to include.

Within Offshore Racing we have our undisputed King of Offshore in Don Aronow. This is my undisputed Count of Offshore. Royalty within performance boating at its very best.

After you get a chance to read Parts 1 and 2, I hope you take the time to ask questions and make comments on his outstanding career. I'm sure there will be a lot more forthcoming from the Europeans who knew him so well, and his friends here in the states.

Some may say, because he was not as well known here in the states as he was overseas, that there are others more influential. I say, there are not very many......

His competitive spirit and talent is what caught the eye of Don Aronow, who was convinced that when it was combined with the proper equipment and support staff, would culminate in a World Championship. He was correct.

Here's the link to Part 1 of his incredible career. Enjoy and stay tuned for Part 2 in a couple days.

The Count of Offshore - Serious Offshore (http://www.seriousoffshore.com/the-count-of-offshore/)

Once Part 2 is up, I'll add some more favorite pics and stories here, as will others I'm sure.....

[Ratickle]

I hope everyone enjoys Part 2, which is now posted.


http://www.seriousoffshore.com/the-count-of-offshore-part-2/


I have a few more tidbits for this thread, I'm sure others do as well.

[Ratickle]

One of my favorite reflections from the story .....

http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww310/ptrose/Balestrieri/Balestrieri0009.jpg

http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww310/ptrose/Balestrieri/Balestrieri0008.jpg

This is the part where Charlie was talking about how Red later said he was correct in the disqualification because Sopwith's boat burned up in the next race.....

[Ratickle]

As Charlie says, "With his ever present cigarette".

Maybe that's why he favored Don's Cigarette boats?

http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww310/ptrose/Balestrieri/balestrieri.jpg

[Underdog88]

GREAT storys Rat!

[Top Banana]

I would say he is in the top 10 for sure. He was a racer, one who actually went out there and did it and learned and then adapted because of what he learned. He started off with European designs and engines and learned very quickly that the American equipment of that era was the stuff to have. He was also sharp enough to be able to purchase from Don, what ever had won the year before and still be able to win again with it.

Does that mean that Don was so far ahead with his designs, they could win back to back championships before the competition caught up?

[Ratickle]

He won his second title in 1970. But, the very next year (Bill Wishnick's Championship Year), he won the first two races with Wishnick taking second in those first two races...

WORLD OFFSHORE CHAMPIONSHIP RACES (UIM)

Argentina (January 9): Vincenzo Balestrieri, Italy

Uruguay (January 23): Balestrieri

South Africa (April 6): Brooks, South Africa

Florida (Sam Griffith, May 14): Bill Wishnick, U.S.

Bahamas 500 (June 4): Doug Silvera, Bahamas

Naples (Italy, June 20): Wishnick

Roseto (Yugoslavia, July 3): Wishnick

Grand Prix (New Jersey, July 14): Bob Magoon, U.S.

Viareggio (Italy, July 18): Wishnick

Dauphin d'Or (France, August 1): Wishnick

Öregrund (Sweden, August 14): Wishnick

Hennessy Cup (California, August 21): Magoon

Cowes (Great Britain, August 28): Ronnie Bonelli, Italy

Wills Trophy (England, September 4): Tommy Sopwith, England

Deauville (France, September 11): Roger Hanks, U.S.

Miami-Nassau (Bahamas, October 15): Tom Gentry, U.S.

Key West (Florida, November 13): Hanks

[Ratickle]

Does that mean that Don was so far ahead with his designs, they could win back to back championships before the competition caught up?

At the end of the 1971 season, here are some stats....

Magoon (The US Champion) also piloted a 36-foot Cigarette (Like Wishnick and Balestrieri), which made Aronow the top builder of ocean-racing hulls. Aronow's company, the Cigarette Racing Team, Inc., claimed 15 consecutive ocean powerboat victories in races in which his hulls had been entered. The previous record was five straight.

[OneBadInjun]

At the end of the 1971 season, here are some stats....

Magoon (The US Champion) also piloted a 36-foot Cigarette (Like Wishnick and Balestrieri), which made Aronow the top builder of ocean-racing hulls. Aronow's company, the Cigarette Racing Team, Inc., claimed 15 consecutive ocean powerboat victories in races in which his hulls had been entered. The previous record was five straight.

Unbelievable accomplishments, now or then. Thanks for the research Ratickle.

[Blue Oval]

Nice read

[Ratickle]

Thanks guys, the credits at the end of the stories are those who who made it happen. I just kind of lumped it together and learned a heck of a lot about an incredible racer......