Marques, Francisco

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

The year is 1952. The circuit is Interlagos, the old 8km one. The event is a Formula Libre race. The VII Grande Prêmio de Interlagos attracted the works Ferraris of South American legends José Frolián González and Juan Manuel Fangio. There was also impressive Brazilian Chico Landi, in a slightly older Ferrari.

Ferrari qualified 1-2, with Fangio ahead of González, and Landi was 3rd. However, the establishment would have a shock. Brazilian driver Francisco Marques, making his Formula Libre debut, charged through the field. Whilst Landi was making progress (and set the fastest lap), he soon ran into troubles, whilst Marques' charge continued, and he even caught and passed González. With Fangio 11 seconds up the road, Marques settled for 2nd (4 seconds clear of González) in an outclassed Maserati - not a bad way to debut!

Marques continued racing in the big Formula Libre races in South America, normally against Fangio, González, Landi and others. With a DNF at the outrageous Gávea course the following weekend, Marques raced his Maserati to a solid 5th at Boa Vista at the start of February. With yet another DNF at Buenos Aires (where Fangio, González and Landi finished 1-2-3 respectively), coupled with another non-finish the next time at the circuit, Marques moved to the Piriápolis circuit in Uruguay for the next 2 races. With a decent 7th in the first weekends race, he followed it up with a 7th the next weekend (consistant or what?), beating Maurice Trintignant and Eitel Cantoni.

And then that was a the end. From what looked to be a hugely promising career, Marques fell backwards, presumably due to inexperience and an outclassed car, and then that was it.

If anyone has ANY further details about Marques (e.g. D.O.B, other championships/races entered) then that would be HUGELY appreciated. But for now, in my mind, it seems like the motorsport world missed out on something.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Managed to find out more information. The 1952 Formula Libre race at Interlagos mentioned in my previous post was NOT Marques' debut. The earliest race I can find him in is a Formula Libre race at Interlagos in 1950, in the same Maserati by the sounds of things. He finished 2nd in that race, behind Chico Landi.

Marques also raced in the 24 hours of Interlagos in 1951, with Francisco Azevedo as his co-driver, and the pair finished 5th in an unknown car.

Marques re-appears on the racing stage in 1954, driving a Ferrari 250 MM at Circuito do Porto (finishing 7th) and the Monsanto circuit (finishing 10th from 16th on the grid). Then there is a long wait.

Marques' final appearance on the racing scene (of note, of course) is a drive in the 1958 Trofeo Nuvolari Montjuich, where he finishes 3rd.

But that's all I can find. I'll say this again, if anyone has ANY further details about Marques (e.g. D.O.B, other championships/races entered) then that would be HUGELY appreciated.

[GORDON STREETER]

He was born at August, 03 / 1908 in Portugal.
He died on May, 19 1986 in Brazil of parkinsons disease. (http://parkpage.bizland.com/obito.jpg)
"Chico Marques" as he was known, married twice and had three sons (all dead) and four grandsons. With the second wife had no sons.

http://forums.autosport.com/topic/44...hy-photo-17kb/