Froilan GONZALES

[WANHER]

Why did F GONZALES appears very seldom at
international level after 1954 . R MIERES
was banned for racing because his Peronist
link . Is it the same reason for F GONZALES

[Ray Bell]

I can't answer your question, but I found out only recently that Gonzales was still racing in South America in 1959 - in a Corvette-powered 250F, what's more!

Perhaps the death of his friend, Onefre Marimon, had something to do with it? Or a lack of a drive, lack of backing from home?

Which, of course, could be the reason you suggested put another way.

[zealot]

Speaking of Peron …

Is it true that, if it were not for Peron, the great Fangio may have only one 3 WDC? It is said that JMF wanted to retire after either the 55 or 56 season, but the prospects of him retiring in his homeland were not good since he had benefitted greatly from Peron's financial backing, and that was frowned on after the leader's overthrow. So, he decided to continue racing, and two more WDC were the result.

[SL]

There is a splendid article in the July 2001 issue (LXXVI No7) which deals with famous Ferrari wins. One of which is Gonzalez's win in 1951 at the British GP. It does not answer the question but it does make fantastic reading how Ferrari won their first GP, beating Alfa and Fangio.

Simon

[Craig]

This week's 'Last Lap' column in Autosport is written by Jose Froilan Gonzalez. It is basically looking back at the events of the 1951 British GP, so doesn't answer your question, but I thought it worth mentioning nonetheless...

[Vitesse]

Could it be that the after-effects of his serious accident in practice for the 1954 TT perhaps affected Gonzalez' subsequent career? Certainly after that accident he took part in very few top-line events and eventually semi-retired in Argentina, running his Ferrari-Chevrolet in local events.

[SL]

Reading through my limited books, maybe he was distracted by the death of many of his fellow racers. There is also comments about his fluctuating form, one day he would be so fast it was unbelivable other days nothing, one thing for certian some photo's seem to show the Pampas Bull almost phyisicly dragging the car around the bends such was the commitment.

Simon

[Ray Bell]

If I have erred, I apologise, it was a Ferrari Corvette then?

Interesting about the Autosport article... is he still alive then?

[Vitesse]

Too right he's still alive - he will be Ferrari's guest of honour at Silverstone this weekend, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first Championship GP win.

Also at Silverstone will be a Ferrari 375, currently the property of B.Ecclestone Esq, which I am informed is to be driven in a demo by one M.Schumacher (whoever he might be )

And yes, it was a Ferrari-Corvette, probably based on a 625.

[Ray Bell]

When I come across the picture I have of these cars I'll try to remember to post it... was in Motor Racing at the time in an article about Sth American racing. I was quite surprised to learn he went on racing back in his homeland after dipping out of Europe.

[WANHER]

Froilan Gonzales was national Champion with his
Ferrari Chevrolet with Buick Elektra brakes.
Fast on the straight bur road holding?
This is normally a Ferrari 625 with a Dino 246
lookalike from the picture that I have and following
the source it should be '0482' ?
Robert

[Marshal]

I'm sure I read somewhere that the reason given for his retirement was his upset at the death of his friend and protege Onfre Marimon (I think it might have been in "Mon Ami Mate"). Whether there were more political reasons behind this I don't know.