Queen of Early Italian Motor Racing
June 5, 2017 6:08 PM Subscribe
I'm a big fan of car racing and Italy and had never heard of this intrepid woman. She was most active in the 1920s, including in Australia, and even after retiring in her 50s, kept driving in Rome until her death. Brava!
It's a fascinating story, but the claim that she drove the Indianapolis 500 back in the 20s will come as a huge surprise to Janet Guthrie, who was the first woman to qualify for, and compete in, the 500. In 1977.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:25 PM on June 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Thorzdad at 7:25 PM on June 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Probably right Thorzdad: [scroll down]
posted by unliteral at 8:17 PM on June 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
Valerio Moretti talked with "the Barones" a long time ago, in which she confirmed that she was visiting the Indy track as a tourist, and did a few laps in a regular automobile. however, her photograph was taken in a driver's uniform, leading to the confusion. Maria Antonietta Avanzo was never planning on taking part in the race.Another interesting post MovableBookLady, thanks.
posted by unliteral at 8:17 PM on June 5, 2017 [1 favorite]
It's a fascinating story, but the claim that she drove the Indianapolis 500 back in the 20s will come as a huge surprise to Janet Guthrie, who was the first woman to qualify for, and compete in, the 500. In 1977.
It sounds like it was a test session:
This same year, she received an invitation from Italian-American Ralph De Palma to try an Indy car, no less than a Miller Special. Maria had to be granted a special license, as the Indy establishment of the era couldn’t fathom a woman driving their sacred oval. (Women weren’t even allowed in the pit area until 1971.)
Avanzo’s few laps were of limited success and came to nothing. Some say she wasn’t man enough for the Miller; others say she was called home to Italy because of a family crisis. My money is on the latter.
From: MARIA AVANZO—SIGNORA QUATTRO PISTONI
posted by Harpocrates at 6:36 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
It sounds like it was a test session:
This same year, she received an invitation from Italian-American Ralph De Palma to try an Indy car, no less than a Miller Special. Maria had to be granted a special license, as the Indy establishment of the era couldn’t fathom a woman driving their sacred oval. (Women weren’t even allowed in the pit area until 1971.)
Avanzo’s few laps were of limited success and came to nothing. Some say she wasn’t man enough for the Miller; others say she was called home to Italy because of a family crisis. My money is on the latter.
From: MARIA AVANZO—SIGNORA QUATTRO PISTONI
posted by Harpocrates at 6:36 AM on June 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
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Okay, that's ominous.
posted by tspae at 6:44 PM on June 5, 2017