MOTORSPORT TRIVIA - Q62, 63 & 64

[Graham]

Q62. How was Paul Pietsch, post-war motoring publisher, connected to Achille Varzi?

Q63. Why did Hannu Mikkola retire from the 1980 Safari Rally?

Q64. Who won the 1980 Drivers' title and what was remarkable about his season? (rallying)

[Michael M]

Welcome back, Graham!

Q62: Paul Pietsch in the 30s was one of the more successful privateers in GP racing, and an Auto-Union reserve driver for 1935. Varzi had a torrid affair with Pietsch’s wife, and through her he became addicted to morphine.

Q63: Not quite sure, but as far I remember Hannu drove a Mercedes 450 SLC 5.0 in the 1980 Safari, and the whole event was overshadowed by a lot of bad luck for Mercedes. Details missing.

Q64: Walter Röhrl, FIAT 131 Abarth. At the beginning of the season FIAT itself was not confident to have a chance winnnig the title. However, after Walter won the first 3 events at Monte Carlo, Portugal, and Argentina, they saw their chance, and entered Walter also for the New Zealand Rallye, which was not on their schedule. A 2nd place there, a further win at San Remo, and again a 2nd at Corsika, and both titels, driver and manufacturer world championship, had been secured.

[Graham]

Hi Michael,

Q62. Yes.

Q63. There's a specific reason.

Q64. That's more than I knew. It was remarkable that he did not retire on any round of the championship. That's remarkable to me, anyway

[Michael M]

Q63: collided with an elephant???

[Graham]

Nope.

[jarama]

Q63.

Mikkola was disqualified. While his car was being repaired by his service crew, Arne Hertz -actually navigator- was injured in his hand by other car. Evacuated to the nearest hospital, his seat in the car was occupated by Waxenberger -actually the team's sports manager-. The disqualification was inmediate, of course.

[Graham]

Yup.