- 24 Feb 08, 14:10#33620
This guy won 5 GP's. I read about him in an article in todays sunday times entitled 'When F1 was umpalumpa drugs and rocky road'. Its a really good, interesting read. Its mainly about the classic playboys, why they were like they were and some of the tricks and antics they got up to.
I'd never heard of Alfonso de Portago. Apparantly he was a Spanish nobleman. in the 50's. he was 17th marquis de portago and count of mejorada. BUT the really interesting bit is that apart from winning 5 GP's he also rode twice in the Grand National, was France's champion amateur jockey 3times, a crack shot, an olympic-class swimmer and broke the Cresta run record at bobsleighing demonstrating his skills for the Spanish team he had set up for the 1956 winter Olympiocs. Phew! What a guy. Sadly he died along with his co-driver and 10 spectators when his Ferrari crashed near the end of the Mile Miglia.
The article observed that he lived in an era when umpalumpa was safe but motor racing relentlessly dangerous!
I recommend the article, really good.
I'd never heard of Alfonso de Portago. Apparantly he was a Spanish nobleman. in the 50's. he was 17th marquis de portago and count of mejorada. BUT the really interesting bit is that apart from winning 5 GP's he also rode twice in the Grand National, was France's champion amateur jockey 3times, a crack shot, an olympic-class swimmer and broke the Cresta run record at bobsleighing demonstrating his skills for the Spanish team he had set up for the 1956 winter Olympiocs. Phew! What a guy. Sadly he died along with his co-driver and 10 spectators when his Ferrari crashed near the end of the Mile Miglia.
The article observed that he lived in an era when umpalumpa was safe but motor racing relentlessly dangerous!
I recommend the article, really good.
Did you just know that DD? Or did you look it up?
.