Mauro Nesti (12 August 1935 – 13 November 2013) was an Italian racecar driver, specializing in time trials on prototype sports cars. During his career he won the European title 8 times and the Italian title 17 times, winning a total of over 450 car races. His victories earned him the nickname "king of the mountains".
È morto Mauro Nesti il re delle cronoscalate
Biography
Born in San Marcello Pistoiese
San Marcello Pistoiese was a '' comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Pistoia in the Italian region Tuscany, located about northwest of Florence and about northwest of Pistoia. It has been a frazione of San Marcello Piteglio since 2017.
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, he began his career, not yet twenty, in motorcycle racing. In 1953, he participated in the Italian Speed Championship in the 125cc and 250cc classes aboard a MV Agusta. In 1955, the MV chose him as lead racer, but a tragic accident at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans (french: link=no, 24 Heures du Mans) is an endurance-focused sports car race held annually near the town of Le Mans, France. It is the world's oldest active endurance racing event. Unlike fixed-distance races whose ...
forced him to cease all European motorcycle racing. In the 1960s, he switched to automobile racing. In 1963, he participated in the Italian Speed Championship in an Abarth 850 lent by his cousin. He also participated in several Italian Formula 3 championships.
In the early-1970s, limited finances nearly forced him into early retirement. However, a company sponsor believed in him and their contribution afforded him a Chevron 2000, with which he won a time trial at the 1972 Cronoscalata Cesana-Sestriere.
Awards
* Eight European Hill Climb Championship
The FIA European Hill Climb Championship (FIA EHC) is an FIA-run motorsport competition held across Europe on closed public road courses.
Unlike circuit racing, each driver competes alone, starting from a point at the base of a mountain and rea ...
s (1976, 1977, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988)
* Four vice-European Hill Climb Championships (1973, 1974, 1978, 1979)
* 17 Campionato Italiano Velocità Montagna titles
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nesti, Mauro
1935 births
2013 deaths
Italian racing drivers