Baconin Borzacchini

Baconin Borzacchini (born Baconino Francesco Domenico Borzacchini, 28 September 1898 – 10 September 1933) was an Italian racing driver who often competed under the nom de course Mario Umberto Borzacchini.

Biography

Born in Terni in the Umbria region of Italy, at age 14, Borzacchini began working in a garage, training as a repairman. After serving in the army artillery during World War I, he began racing motorcycles before turning to automobile competitions in 1926. During the next two years he won six Italian hillclimbing events driving a Salmson. He earned victories at three significant Italian races including the Etna Cup at Catania and the 1100cc class at the 1926 and 1927 Targa Florio where he beat fellow up-and-comer Luigi Fagioli. Borzacchini's success ultimately led to an offer to join the Maserati racing team and driving for them, he won the 1927 Terni-Passo della Somma and the Coppa della Collina Pistoiese." In 1928 he drove a Maserati to first place in the Coppa Gallenga hillclimb at Rocca di Papa.

On 28 September 1929, Borzacchini set a new flying land speed record of in a Maserati V4. That same year, he finished second in the Circuito di Alessandria and in the Tripoli Grand Prix.

In 1930, under the fascist government of Benito Mussolini, Borzacchini was pressured into racing under the Italian name, Mario Umberto, rather than his birth name of Baconin, which was based on that of Russian revolutionary anarchist, Mikhail Bakunin, who his parents had admired.

During his years of racing, Borzacchini participated in more than one hundred events. Although his number of victories is considerably less than some of the other Italian racing notables, he was much loved and respected by his countrymen. In his honor, the circuit in Magione in the Province of Perugia in Umbria, not far from where he was born, was named the "Autodromo Mario Umberto Borzacchini".

Borzacchini is interred in the local cemetery in his native Terni.

Motorsports career results

Major career victories

Camaiore Circuit 1926 Targa Florio (Junior class, 1100cc) 1926, 1927 Etna Cup 1928 Tripoli Grand Prix 1930 Coppa Principe di Piemonte 1931 Mille Miglia 1932

Indianapolis 500 results

Complete European Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 Pts 1931 SA Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo Type A Alfa Romeo 2x 3.5 L6 ITARet — Alfa Romeo Monza Alfa Romeo 2.3 L8 FRA2 Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 BEL2 1932 SA Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo Monza Alfa Romeo 2.3 L8 ITA3 2nd 8 Alfa Romeo Tipo B/P3 Alfa Romeo 2.6 L8 FRA2 GER3