12 Carlo Masetti
Count C. Masetti
Bugatti T22 
10 Guido Beccari
G. Beccari
Fiat 501
7 Guido Cesare Cecchi
G. C. Cecchi
Fiat 501
COPPA MONTENERO
Circuito Montenero - Livorno (I), 27 August 1922
8 laps x 22.5 km (13.98 mi) = 180 km (111.85 mi).
Carlo Masetti wins the Coppa Montenero with Bugatti
by Hans Etzrodt
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The 17 entries were divided into three categories for the 8-lap race around the Coppa Montenero circuit along twisting mountain roads. Count Carlo Masetti (1500 Bugatti)
and Lotti (2000 Ansaldo) were the favorites. Lotti led the first lap ahead of Masetti, and the Fiats of Beccari, Cecchi and Marconcini. When Lotti retired on the second lap,
Masetti took the lead which he held until the finish to win the 180 km race in 2h52m42.1s. The Fiats of Beccaria, Cecchi and Schebman followed next with Cercignani (Wanderer)
in fifth place. Fossati (CMN) was sixth, ahead of Marconcini (Fiat) and Balestrero (OM). Amongst the seven retirements was Lotti's Ansaldo and Materassi's Opel.
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The races on the Montenero Circuit near Livorno (Leghorn in English) had been held since September 25, 1921 when the sportsman Paolo Fabbrini launched an event to show that
Livorno could organize an automobile race of some importance. Corrado Lotti with an Ansaldo was the first winner. The course was also called Circuito del Romito from 1922
onwards. The start was in Ardenza di mare at the Principe di Napoli bridge - then along Via della Torre - Via del Pastore - Via del Littorale (Ardenza) - under the railway - Via
di Montenero - Via del Castellaccio - Savolano - climbing up to Castellaccio - Via di Quercianella and then the descent to the sea at Romito - Via Littorale - Antigua Barrier
(Marroccone) - Via Amerigo Vespucci - Via Duca Cosinio - Via dei Bagni - Viale Vittorio Emanuele II - to the finish at Ardenza di mare. The course was full of natural beauty
and remained unchanged over the years. It was considered difficult without being dangerous. The narrow road twisted through 164 turns with steep gradients through the mountains.
It was a small replica of the Madonie in Sicily, but considerably shorter and did not allow high speeds. Eight laps had to be completed around the 22.500 km circuit, a total of 180 km.
The Auto-Moto Club Livorno held the 1922 Coppa Montenero for the second time. The cars were divided into three categories, at 1350 cc, 1500 cc, and 2500 cc. The overall
winner was presented with the Coppa Montenero, a challenge trophy gifted by the Livorno Mayor and would receive also 5,000 lire. In addition, prizes were given for each of the
individual categories, where the first received 1,000 lire and a silver medal, second 500 lire and a silver medal and third 250 lire and a silver medal.
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Entries:
The favorites amongst the 17 entries included Corrado Lotti the 1921 winner with Ansaldo and Guido Cecchi who came second last year in his Fiat. Count Carlo Masetti in a 1500 Bugatti
also was a respected contender.
CMN (Construzioni Meccaniche Nazionali SA) was an Italian aviation factory in Milan Pontedera. After WWI in 1920, they switched to car production with a conventional, rather dated,
high built design with a 4-cylinder side-valve engine in 2.3-L and 3-L forms. They had entered the 1919 Targa Florio and several hill climbs. Two 2.3-Liter cars were entered for
Enrico Fossati and Dante Novi.
The 1500 category comprised ten cars, eight of which started. The 1500 Fiats were tipo 501, the 501S appeared in 1923. The Chiribiri was Tipo Roma 5000 while the Chiribiri Monza
appeared in 1923. Local drivers from Livorno included Guido Cecchi (1500 Fiat). A complete list of entries is at the beginning of this report.
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Race:
The circuit was closed at seven in the morning and cleared of all traffic when a car with a red flag and a white center started from the finish line with the race commissioner on
board. Long before the start, a large crowd lined up along the circuit and occupied the stands at Ardenza Mare start and finish. The cars lined up behind the starting line.
Because of the dusty roads, they were started individually in order of their race number at intervals to the next car. Giorgio Cheloni (OM) and Corrado Giovannini (Fiat) did not
appear for the start, which began at 8:00 in the morning. The surrounding fences were very crowded, the engines were cranked up to the first loud rumble. To great applause the
Wanderer with Cercignani was the first car to be sent off, leaving a curtain of dust that soon thinned out. After intervals followed the remaining 14 cars, Balestrero (OM),
Rodinis (Chiribiri), Marconcini (Fiat), Schebman (Fiat), Cecchi (Fiat), Guindani (OM), Beccari (Fiat), Bonamico (OM), Masetti (Bugatti), Materassi (Opel), Fossati (CMN),
Ardizzone (Diatto), Novi (CMN) and Lotti (Ansaldo) last.
During the first lap Lotti was the fastest with his Ansaldo, leading Masetti by 8 seconds. Materassi was struggling for a long time with his engine between Castellaccio and
Paradiso, then retired with a broken gearbox on the Castellaccio climb. Guidani, who suffered a puncture, stopped at the pits to change a wheel. Lotti was leading the 14-car
field in the following order after the first lap:
| 1. | Lotti (Ansaldo) | 21m32.2s | 2000 cc category |
| 2. | Masetti (Bugati) | 21m40.0s | 1500 cc |
| 3. | Beccari (Fiat) | 22m03.2s | --- " --- |
| 4. | Cecchi (Fiat) | 22m38.4s | --- " --- |
| 5. | Marconcini (Fiat) | 22m52.0s | --- " --- |
| 6. | Bonamico (OM) | 22m54.8s | --- " --- |
| 7. | Ardizzone (Fiat) | 23m20.6s | 2000 cc |
| 8. | Novi (CMN) | 23m41.0s | --- " --- |
| 9. | Schebman (Fiat) | 23m42.2s | 1500 cc |
| 10. | Fossati (CMN) | 24m12.6s | 2000 cc |
| 11. | Rodinis (Chiribiri) | 25m08.4s | 1500 cc |
| 12. | Guindani (OM) | 25m08.4s | --- " --- |
| 13. | Cercignani (Wanderer) | 25m17.2s | 1350 cc |
| 14. | Balestrero (OM) | 28m29.6s | --- " --- |
During the second lap Masetti took the lead ahead of Beccari by over one minute. Lotti retired the Ansaldo. When he eventually reached the finish line the spectators received
him with sensational applause, as he was one of the local drivers and very popular. Schebman (Fiat) advanced from 9th to 5th place. Bonamico dropped from sixth to ninth place.
Ardizzone ended his race after several accidents with his Diatto and Novi (CMN) retired due to engine malfunction. Masetti's second lap in 20m14.2s at 66.7 km/h average speed
was a new record. He was leading the 11-car field in the following order after the 2nd lap:
| 1. | Masetti (Bugatti) | 41m54.2s | 1500 cc | category |
| 2. | Beccari (Fiat) | 43m33.8s | --- " --- |
| 3. | Cecchi (Fiat) | 44m26.6s | --- " --- |
| 4. | Marconcini (Fiat) | 45m33.2s | --- " --- |
| 5. | Schebman (Fiat) | 47m47.0s | --- " --- |
| 6. | Fossati (CMN) | 49m08.2s | 2000 cc |
| 7. | Cercignani (Wanderer) | 50m17.4s | 1350 cc |
| 8. | Rodinis (Chiribiri) | 50m20.0s | 1500 cc |
| 9. | Bonamico (OM) | 52m07.0s | --- " --- |
| 10. | Guindani (OM) | 52m18.4s | --- " --- |
| 11. | Balestrero (OM) | 1h09m17.4s | --- " --- | 1 lap behind |
Masetti was still in the lead after the third lap, ahead by over one minute to Beccari, followed by Cecchi and Marconcini with Schebman in fifth place over ten minutes behind.
The order remained as before, but Bonamico (OM) retired. Masetti completed the third lap in 21m40.8s at 62.3 km/h average speed. He was leading the 10-car field in the following
order after the 3rd lap:
| 1. | Masetti (Bugatti) | 1h03m35.0s | 1500 cc | category |
| 2. | Beccari (Fiat) | 1h05m22.0s | --- " --- |
| 3. | Cecchi (Fiat) | 1h06m16.9s | --- " --- |
| 4. | Marconcini (Fiat) | 1h08m30.2s | --- " --- |
| 5. | Schebman (Fiat) | 1h14m15.0s | --- " --- |
| 6. | Fossati (CMN) | 1h15m16.2s | 2000 cc |
| 7. | Cercignani (Wanderer) | 1h15m42.2s | 1350 cc |
| 8. | Rodinis (Chiribiri) | 1h15m54.4s | 1500 cc |
| 9. | Guindani (OM) | 1h19m40.0s | --- " --- |
| 10. | Balestrero (OM) | 1h34m06.0s | --- " --- | 1 lap behind |
During the fourth lap Masetti maintained the lead by over four minutes ahead of Cecchi, followed by Beccari and Marconcini with Schebman in fifth place over 14 minutes behind.
The order had changed when Cecchi passed Beccari for second place, and Cercignani passed Fossati for sixth position. Masetti finished the fourth lap in 20m17.6s at 66.5 km/h
average speed. He led the field in the following order after the 4th lap:
| 1. | Masetti (Bugatti) | 1h23m52.6s | 1500 cc | category |
| 2. | Cecchi (Fiat) | 1h28m01.0s | --- " --- |
| 3. | Beccari (Fiat) | 1h28m29.0s | --- " --- |
| 4. | Marconcini (Fiat) | 1h31m58.4s | --- " --- |
| 5. | Schebman (Fiat) | 1h38m13.8s | --- " --- |
| 6. | Cercignani (Wanderer) | 1h40m54.4s | 1350 cc |
| 7. | Fossati (CMN) | 1h41m15.8s | 2000 cc |
| 8. | Rodinis (Chiribiri) | 1h44m02.0s | 1500 cc |
| 9. | Guindani (OM) | 1h47m41.8s | --- " --- | 1 lap behind |
| 10. | Balestrero (OM) | 2h05m31.4s | --- " --- | 2 laps behind |
During the fifth lap Masetti held on to first position, still over four minutes ahead of Cecchi, followed by Beccari and with Schebman now in fourth place nearly 17 minutes behind,
as Marconcini (Fiat) dropped from 4th to 7th place. Near the finish Rodinis slowed down to retire his Chiribiri with a loose piston pin. Guindani stopped at the pits with carburetor
trouble. Masetti's fifth lap in 21m43.7s at 62.1 km/h average speed kept him in the lead of the 9-car field in the following order after the 5th lap:
| 1. | Masetti (Bugatti) | 1h45m36.2s | 1500 cc | category |
| 2. | Cecchi (Fiat) | 1h49m53.4s | --- " --- |
| 3. | Beccari (Fiat) | 1h50m22.8s | --- " --- |
| 4. | Schebman (Fiat) | 2h02m13.4s | --- " --- |
| 5. | Cercignani (Wanderer) | 2h06m12.0s | 1350 cc |
| 6. | Fossati (CMN) | 2h07m57.2s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 7. | Marconcini (Fiat) | 2h13m46.2s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 8. | Guindani (OM) | 2h19m27.6s | --- " --- | 1 lap behind |
| 9. | Balestrero (OM) | 2h32m16.0s | --- " --- | 2 laps behind |
During the sixth lap, Masetti remained in the lead over four minutes ahead of Cecchi, followed by Beccari and Schebman fourth, over 18 minutes behind. Guindani retired with a carburetor
problem but completed only four laps as he had been lapped once. Marconcini lost five minutes after an accident. Masetti's sixth lap of 21m40.4s at 62.3 km/h average speed kept him out
front of the 8-car field in the following order after the 6th lap:
| 1. | Masetti (Bugatti) | 2h07m16.6s | 1500 cc | category |
| 2. | Cecchi (Fiat) | 2h11m49.4s | --- " --- |
| 3. | Beccari (Fiat) | 2h12m00.0s | --- " --- |
| 4. | Schebman (Fiat) | 2h26m00.4s | --- " --- |
| 5. | Cercignani (Wanderer) | 2h31m15.8s | 1350 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 6. | Fossati (CMN) | 2h38m36.6s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 7. | Marconcini (Fiat) | 2h51m02.0s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 8. | Balestrero (OM) | 2h58m10.6s | --- " --- | 2 laps behind |
At the beginning of lap seven Masetti made his third pit stop to change a wheel. He started again quickly amid the thunderous applause of the crowd. He had not lost the lead, but his
advantage had shrunk to less than a minute. As Masetti passed at the end of the lap, he made a sign giving the impression of speeding up with great applause from the crowd. His seventh
lap of 25m29.8s at 52.9 km/h average speed was his slowest lap due to his pit stop. He was leading the field in the following order after the 7th lap:
| 1. | Masetti (Bugatti) | 2h32m46.2s | 1500 cc | category |
| 2. | Beccari (Fiat) | 2h33m30.0s | --- " --- |
| 3. | Cecchi (Fiat) | 2h33m31.0s | --- " --- |
| 4. | Schebman (Fiat) | 2h49m22.2s | --- " --- |
| 5. | Cercignani (Wanderer) | 2h57m00.6s | 1350 cc |
| 6. | Fossati (CMN) | 3h04m02.2s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 7. | Marconcini (Fiat) | 3h14m21.8s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 8. | Balestrero (OM) | 3h24m27.0s | --- " --- | 2 laps behind |
On the eighth lap Count Masetti raised his pace beating all previous lap records with one in 19m56s at 67.725 km/h. The spectators received the Count with great applause for his effort and
also wide of applause for all others. Masetti won after 2h52m42.2s at 62.535 km/h average speed. Beccari finished second, just over two minutes behind and Cecchi followed 20 seconds further
back. Schebman, Cercignani and Fossati were one lap behind and kept driving to complete the 8-lap distance. Marconcini and Balestrero, who were two laps behind, were the last finishers.
There were seven retirements.
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Results
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Entrant | Car | Type | Engine | Laps | Time/Status | Diff |
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| 1. | 12 | Carlo Masetti | Count C. Masetti | Bugatti | T22 | 1.5 | S-4 | 8 | 2h52m42.2s | |
| 2. | 10 | Guido Beccari | G. Beccari | Fiat | 501 | 1.5 | S-4 | 8 | 2h54m58.0s | + 2m15.8s |
| 3. | 7 | Guido Cesare Cecchi | G. C. Cecchi | Fiat | 501 | 1.5 | S-4 | 8 | 2h55m17.4s | + 2m35.2s |
| 4. | 6 | Schebman | Schabman | Fiat | 501 | 1.5 | S-4 | 8 | 3h13m05.0s | + 20m22.8s |
| 5. | 1 | Ferruccio Cercignani | F. Cercignani | Wanderer | 5/15 W4 | 1.3 | S-4 | 8 | 3h22m54.2s | + 30m12.0s |
| 6. | 14 | Enrico Fossati | E. Fossati | CMN | 20 hp | 2.3 | S-4 | 8 | 3h31m12.6s | + 38m30.4s |
| 7. | 5 | Alete Marconcini | A. Marconcini | Fiat | 501 | 1.5 | S-4 | 8 | 3h37m55.6s | + 45m13.4s |
| 8. | 2 | Renato Balestrero | R. Balestrero | OM | 465 (1350cc) | 1.3 | S-4 | 8 | 3h50m39.6s | + 57m57.4s |
| DNF | 3 | Nicoḷ Rodinis | N. Rodinis | Chiribiri | Roma 5000 | 1.5 | S-4 | 5 | piston pin | |
| DNF | 9 | Carlo Guindani | C. Guindani | OM | 467 | 1.5 | S-4 | 4 | carburetor | |
| DNF | 11 | Armando Bonamico | A. E. Bonamico | OM | 467 | 1.5 | S-4 | 2 | | |
| DNF | 17 | Corrado Lotti | C. Lotti | Ansaldo | Tipo 4 | 2.0 | S-4 | 1 |
| DNF | 15 | Filippo Ardizzone | F. Ardizzone | Diatto | Tipo 20 | 2.0 | S-4 | 1 | accident damage |
| DNF | 16 | Dante Novi | D. Novi | CMN | 20 hp | 2.3 | S-4 | 1 | engine |
| DNF | 13 | Emilio Materassi | E. Materassi | Opel | | | | 0 | gearbox |
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Fastest lap:Carlo Masetti (Bugatti) on lap 8 in 19m56.0s at 67.7 km/h (42.1 mph).
Winner's average speed 62.5 km/h (38.9 mph).
Weather: sunny and warm.
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Primary sources researched for this article:
Il Telegrafo, Livorno
Italia Sportiva, Milano
La Gazetta dello Sport, Milano
La Gazzetta Livornese, Livorno
La Stampa, Torino
Programma Ufficiale, Livorno
Special thanks to:
Alessandro Silva
Giuseppe Prisco
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