31 Emilio Materassi
Scuderia Materassi
Itala Special. 
4 Ferruccio Zaniratti
F. Zaniratti
Bugatti T13 Brescia 
Ugo Sisto Stefanelli
U. Stefanelli
Diatto 20S
CIRCUITO DEL MUGELLO
Circuito del Mugello (I), 31 May 1925.
20 laps x 18.170 km (11.29 mi) = 363.4 km (225.8 mi) (Note 1)
Materassi, Zaniratti and Stefanelli victorious at Mugello
by Hans Etzrodt
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The Mugello Circuit race was held on a new much shorter course in 1925. The 25 starters were split into three categories. The week before at Perugia, the six large cars over
2000 cc were the center of interest and again just the battle between Brilli Peri (4.9-L Ballot) and Materassi (5.8-L Itala). But this time Brilli Peri's car broke down on lap
nine. As a result, after 5 hours and 13 minutes, Materassi won with ease 19 minutes ahead of second placed Zaniratti (1500 Bugatti), followed by Stefanelli (2000 Diatto),
Minciotti (2000 Bugatti), Giudici (2000 Diatto), Sbraci (1500 Chiribiri), Pedroni (2000 Ansaldo), Weber (1500 Fiat), Maggi (1500 Bugatti)and Testi (2000 Diatto) in tenth and
last place. Papis (1500 Bugatti) and the two 2000 Ansaldos of Garavini and Levoni exceeded the allowable maximum time and were not classified. Amongst the 12 retirements
were crashes but no serious injuries.
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The races on Circuito del Mugello north of Florence were also called the "Little Targa Florio" in the Toscana region of central Italy, because of its many up and downs and its 1691 curves per
lap. Mugello was one of the most important race circuits in Italy and dates back to 1914 when it was called Primo Circuito Toscano.
After the war the race was held annually since 1920 and in 1925 it took place for the 7th time, but not on its traditional 64.290 km route as used from 1920 to 1924. The new 18.170 km course
with the start at Maschere, to Barberino e Bivio, Monte Carelli and back to Maschere, had to be covered 20 times, a total of 363.400 km. A new race was started under the same name but there
was no place to compare with past editions. With the circuit chosen this year, the spectators would be able to follow the race more closely. The Automobile Club di Firenze organized this
event under the supervision of the Commissione Sportiva del R.A.C.I. (Reale Automobile Club d'Italia).
The cash prizes were very significant and the first overall finisher was awarded 50,000 lire. Besides the cash prizes, the magnificent Ginori Trophy and other artistic gifts of great
value were at stake.
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Entries:
From 35 entries, only 25 drivers appeared for the start. Edoardo Weber drove a 1500 cc Fiat 501, which he had modified by installing a supercharger that he had built himself. Filippo Tassara was
originally enrolled in the two-liter category but participated instead with a 1500 cc Bugatti Type 13. Ivo Nardi who came from Florence, raced a Diatto only at Mugello in 1925, one race in one
season. His license number was 334, but Luigi Nardi Pelagalli was a different driver who raced an Alfa Romeo. A complete list of entries is at the beginning of the report with the starting order
of the 25-car field to follow below.
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Race:
Because of the dust from the dirt roads, the cars were started individually at intervals of 20 seconds between one driver to the next. The exact order of the drivers following Zaniratti's Bugatti
is not absolutely certain, but a total of 25 cars started in numerical order with the 1500 category first, ahead of the 2000 cars and over 2000 cars last. The following starting order was published
in La Gazzetta dello Sport but without the race numbers, which we added, as seen on a photograph of the start, which began exactly at 10 AM with timekeeper Mr. Del Grano in charge.
Category 1500 cc: #4 Zaniratti (Bugatti), #7 Montanari (Bugatti), #8 Maggi (Bugatti), Papis (Bugatti), Weber (Fiat), Sbraci (Chiribiri), Compagnoni (Bugatti) and Tassara (Bugatti).
Category 2000 cc: Pedroni (Ansaldo), Antonelli (Bugatti), Garavini (Ansaldo), Stefanelli (Diatto), Panerai (Diatto), Levoni (Ansaldo), Giudici (Diatto), Minciotti (Bugatti), Testi (Diatto),
Masi (Diatto) and Nardi (Diatto).
Category over 2000 cc: #31 Materassi (Itala Spl.), Nardi Pelagalli (Alfa Romeo), Cesaroni (Mercedes), Brilli Peri (Ballot), Tarabusi (Alfa Romeo) and Ginaldi (Alfa Romeo).
Zaniratti completed the first lap in 15m26.4s. He was closely followed by Weber, Maggi and Montanari. Materassi's performance was truly impressive at the top with the fastest time. Cesaroni
overturned his Mercedes in Monte Carelli, injuring himself slightly while the mechanic suffered also minor injuries which did not seem serious.
On the second lap Zaniratti was still in front, despite having made a one-minute stop at the pits to check his suspension. Weber, Montanari and Maggi were still his immediate pursuers. Antonelli
stopped with his new Grand Prix Bugatti at Barberino near Mugello and resumed but later after the fifth lap he retired. Materassi was in 5th place on the road.
On his third lap Ginaldi retired his Alfa Romeo due to a mechanical breakdown. Meanwhile, Materassi and Brilli Peri made the fastest laps, fighting tenaciously for first position. They finally
managed to overtake Zaniratti on the road, as they chased each other less than a hundred meters apart.
On the fourth lap Tarabusi made a dangerous spin with his Alfa Romeo at the Ghereto curve but recovered and continued. The field was down to 21 cars after Cesaroni and Ginaldi had dropped out
earlier, then Compagnoni (1500 Bugatti) repaired a puncture at the left front wheel after which he retired, as did Nardi (Diatto) for unknown reasons before the end of the fifth lap.
Stefanelli (Diatto), who was to finish the race in third place, was not mentioned in the following 5-laps listing. Brilli Peri's average lap time for the first five laps was 14m40s with the field
in the following order after five laps:
| 1. | Brilli Peri (Ballot) | 1h13m23s | over 2000 cc |
| 2. | Materassi (Itala Spl) | 1h14m39s | over 2000 cc |
| 3. | Zaniratti (Bugatti) | 1h20m01s | 1500 cc |
| 4. | Panerai (Diatto) | 1h20m02s | 2000 cc |
| 5. | Tarabusi (Alfa Romeo) | 1h21m28.4s | over 2000 cc |
| 6. | Weber (Fiat) | 1h24m14s | 1500 cc |
| 7. | Giudici (Diatto) | 1h24m09s | 2000 cc |
| 8. | Tassara (Bugatti) | 1h25m05.6s | 1500 cc |
| 9. | Nardi Pellegalli (Alfa Romeo) | 1h25m08.6s | over 2000 cc |
| 10. | Pedroni (Ansaldo) | 1h25m19.4s | 2000 cc |
| 11. | Testi (Diatto) | 1h27m30.6s | 2000 cc |
| 12. | Minciotti (Bugatti) | 1h27m45.4s | 2000 cc |
| 13. | Garavini (Ansaldo) | 1h27m51.6s | 2000 cc |
| 14. | Levoni (Ansaldo) | 1h28m24s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 15. | Antonelli (Bugatti) | 1h32m21.2s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 16. | Maggi (Bugatti) | 1h32m36s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 17. | Masi (Diatto) | 1h34m55.4s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 18. | Montanari (Bugatti) | 1h35m06.2s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 19. | Sbraci (Chiribiri) | 1h35m14.0s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 20. | Papis (Bugatti) | 1h36m57.4s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 21. | Stefanelli (Diatto) | not listed | 2000 cc |
At the end of the 5th lap, Brilli Peri had stopped to change two tires and continued his battle with Materassi who also stopped for oil and tires. Zaniratti meanwhile, took advantage of the stop by
the two leaders and jumped into the lead on the road, but only for a short while. Montanari retired his 1500 Bugatti after the fifth lap when he was already one lap behind.
On lap seven, Brilli Peri passed the stands first, chased by Materassi and then Zaniratti. The race proceeded without changes up to the 8th lap. Brilli Peri retired on the ninth lap due to a broken
oil pipe and problems with the clutch disc. Nardi Pelagalli changed a tire on lap nine, then left the road in one of the turns which forced the retirement of his Alfa Romeo when already one lap
down. Normal refueling stops took place between the 9th and 12th laps and all drivers had to make frequent stops to change tires. This circuit, with the addition of the extremely hot temperatures,
was fatal for the tires. Materassi with his heavy car had to change tires several times. Giudici had to replace his ailing mechanic and carried on alone with his Diatto. Tassara retired the
1500 Bugatti due to a broken brake lever. At this moment he had already made the lap record in his category. Antonelli experienced right from the start an engine timing problem with the Grand Prix
Bugatti, probably the reason for ending his race before the tenth lap. After Montanari, Antonelli, Tassara, Nardi Pellegalli and Brilli Peri had retired the field was down to 16 cars. After the
tenth lap, the race was decided as Brilli Peri, Materassi's most fearful opponent, had retired. Materassi's average lap time for the last five laps was 14m48s with the field in this order
after ten laps:
| 1. | Materassi (Itala Spl) | 2h29m31.2s | over 2000 cc |
| 2. | Giudici (Diatto) | 2h43m55.6s | 2000 cc |
| 3. | Zaniratti (Bugatti) | 2h45m36.8s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 4. | Weber (Fiat) | 2h46m48.2s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 5. | Panerai (Diatto) | 2h48m37.0s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 6. | Pedroni (Ansaldo) | 2h50m24.4s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 7. | Sbraci (Chiribiri) | 2h50m30.0s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 8. | Tarabusi (Alfa Romeo) | 2h51m00.4s | over 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 9. | Garavini (Ansaldo) | 2h54m00.0s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 10. | Levoni (Ansaldo) | 2h54m52.4s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 11. | Minciotti (Bugatti) | 2h55m24.0s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 12. | Maggi (Bugatti) | 2h59m48.0s | 1500 cc | 2 laps behind |
| 13. | Testi (Diatto) | 3h10m13.4s | 2000 cc | 2 laps behind |
| 14. | Stefanelli (Diatto) | not shown | 2000 cc |
| 15. | Papis (Bugatti) | not shown | 1500 cc |
| 16. | Masi (Diatto) | not shown | 2000 cc |
After the tenth lap, Materassi no longer had to force his pace and could easily stop to refuel, add oil and change a wheel. In the fight of the 2000 category, Stefanelli was ahead in the Diatto,
who had a good advantage to the Bugatti of Minciotti, who in turn was seriously threatened by Giudici's Diatto.
On lap 14, Masi slammed against the inner edge at the Ghereto curve and as a result twisted the front axle of the Diatto. After his retirement the field was down to 15 cars. Materassi's average
lap time for the last five laps was 16m07s with the field in the following order after 15 laps:
| 1. | Materassi (Itala Spl) | 3h50m02.0s | over 2000 cc |
| 2. | Zaniratti (Bugatti) | 4h09m44.2s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 3. | Panerai (Diatto) | 4h12m31.2s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 4. | Giudici (Diatto) | 4h15m55.0s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 5. | Tarabusi (Alfa Romeo) | 4h16m16.2s | over 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 6. | Minciotti (Bugatti) | 4h16m38.2s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 7. | Sbraci (Chiribiri) | 4h17m33.2s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 8. | Weber (Fiat) | 4h17m33.6s | 1500 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 9. | Garavini (Ansaldo) | 4h18m28.4s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 10. | Pedroni (Ansaldo) | 4h20m25.4s | 2000 cc | 1 lap behind |
| 11. | Maggi (Bugatti) | 4h27m50.0s | 1500 cc | 2 laps behind |
| 12. | Papis (Bugatti) | 4h38m19.6s | 1500 cc | 2 laps behind |
| 13. | Testi (Diatto) | 4h44m23.4s | 2000 cc | 3 laps behind |
| 14. | Stefanelli (Diatto) | not shown | 2000 cc |
| 15. | Levoni (Ansaldo) | not shown | 2000 cc |
After 15 laps Panerai (Diatto) and Tarabusi (Alfa Romeo), both already one lap down, retired for unknown reasons. Tarabusi who at the beginning of the 4th lap had made a wild spin at the Ghereto
curve, crashed at the end of the race into a telegraph pole. He was already one lap behind when he retired the damaged car. Garavini was 1 lap down, Papis 2 laps while Levoni's status was unknown.
The arrival of the drivers was expected with keen interest by the large crowd. The spectators were well behaved and disciplined even with the arrival of the trailing cars' lagging behind in the race,
so all drivers were able to finish regularly.
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Results
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Entrant | Car | Type | Engine | Laps | Time/Status | Diff |
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| 1. | 31 | Emilio Materassi | Scuderia Materassi | Itala | Special | 5.8 | S-4 | 20 | 5h13m10.8s | |
| 2. | 4 | Ferruccio Zaniratti | F. Zaniratti | Bugatti | T13 "Brescia" | 1.5 | S-4 | 20 | 5h32m54.0s | + 19m43.2s |
| 3. | | Ugo Sisto Stefanelli | U. Stefanelli | Diatto | 20S | 2.0 | S-4 | 20 | 5h33m48.4s | + 20m37.6s |
| 4. | | Gino Minciotti | G. Minciotti | Bugatti | T30 | 2.0 | S-8 | 20 | 5h38m27.2s | + 25m16.4s |
| 5. | | Camillo Giudici | C. Giudici | Diatto | 20S | 2.0 | S-4 | 20 | 5h39m34.6s | + 26m23.8s |
| 6. | | Vasco Sbraci | V. Sbraci | Chiribiri | 12/16 Monza S | 1.5 | S-4 | 20 | 5h45m29.4s | + 32m18.6s |
| 7. | | Azeglio Pedroni | A. Pedroni | Ansaldo | 4CS | 2.0 | S-4 | 20 | 5h48m10.0s | + 34m59.2s |
| 8. | | Edoardo Weber | E. Weber | Fiat | 501 s/c | 1.5 | S-4 | 20 | 5h48m33.2s | + 35m22.4s |
| 9. | 8 | Aymo Maggi | A. Maggi | Bugatti | T22 | 1.5 | S-4 | 20 | 5h50m20.0s | + 37m09.2s |
| 10. | | Antonio Testi | A. Testi | Diatto | 20S | 2.0 | S-4 | 20 | 5h58m02.2s | + 44m51.4s |
| DNC | | Francesco Papis | F. Papis | Bugatti | | 1.5 | S-4 | <20 | 6h09m27.8s | |
| DNC | | Giovanni Garavini | G. Garavini | Ansaldo | | 2.0 | S-4 | <20 | 6h21m30.2s | |
| DNC | | Renzo Levoni | R. Levoni | Ansaldo | 4CS | 2.0 | S-4 | <20 | 6h50m40.0s | |
| DNF | | Alberto Panerai | A. Panerai | Diatto | | 2.0 | S-4 | 15> | 15 laps or more |
| DNF | | Ugo Tarabusi | U. Tarabusi | Alfa Romeo | RLSS | 3.0 | S-6 | 15> | 15 laps or more - crash |
| DNF | | Luigi Masi | L. Masi | Diatto | 20S | 2.0 | S-4 | <13 | 13 laps or less - crash |
| DNF | | Gastone Brilli Peri | G. Brilli Peri | Ballot | Indy 1919 | 4.9 | S-8 | 8 | | |
| DNF | | Luigi Nardi Pelagalli | L. Nardi Pelagalli | Alfa Romeo | RLS | 3.0 | S-6 | 7 | left the road |
| DNF | | Filippo Tassara | F. Tassara | Bugatti | T13 | 1.5 | S-4 | 5> | 5 laps or more - brake lever |
| DNF | | Domenico Antonelli | Count D. Antonelli | Bugatti | T35 | 2.0 | S-8 | 5> | 5 laps or more |
| DNF | 7 | Supremo Montanari | S. Montanari | Bugatti | T13 "Brescia" | 1.5 | S-4 | 4 | mechanical | |
| DNF | | Ivo Nardi | I. Nardi | Diatto | 20S | 2.0 | S-4 | <4 | 4 laps or less |
| DNF | | Gino Compagnoni | G. Compagnoni | Bugatti | | 1.5 | S-4 | <4 | 4 laps or less |
| DNF | | Guido Ginaldi | G. Ginaldi | Alfa Romeo | RLTF 24 | 3.0 | S-6 | 2 | mechanical | |
| DNF | | Anselmo Cesaroni | A. Cesaroni | Mercedes | GP 1914 | 4.5 | S-4 | 0 | crash | |
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Fastest lap over 2000 cc: Materassi (Itala Spl) & Brilli Peri (Ballot) in 14m13.6s = 76.6 km/h (47.6 mph) (Note 1).
Fastest lap 2000 cc: G. Minciotti (Bugatti) in 14m56.8s = 72.9 km/h (45.3 mph).
Fastest lap 1500 cc: F. Tassara (Bugatti) in 16m03s = 67.9 km/h (42.2 mph).
Winner's average speed over 2000 cc, Materassi: 69.6 km/h (43.3 mph).
Winner's average speed, 2000 cc, Stefanelli: 65.3 km/h (40.6 mph).
Winner's average speed 1100 cc, Zaniratti: 65.5 km/h (40.7 mph).
Weather: hot, dusty roads .
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In retrospect:
Incomplete individual times at 5, 10 and 15 laps and the lack of informative reporting about retirements was encountered in the various sources. As a result, this report lacks the depth of information that
we usually make available. The final times for the third to tenth finisher varied amongst the nine sources and we hope to have selected the correct ones.
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Footnote:
1. There is no doubt that the correct circuit length was 18.17 km and the numbers above are calculated with that length. For some reason the published numbers were calculated with the wrong
circuit length (18.7 km).
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Primary sources researched for this article:
ACI - rivista, Torino
AUTOMOBIL-REVUE, Bern
AUTO-MOTO-CICLO, Milano
IL CALCIO, Genoa
La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milano
La Stampa, Torino
L'AUTO, Paris
LE VENEZIE SPORTIVE, Venice
L'IMPERO, Roma
Special thanks to:
Alessandro Silva
Giuseppe Prisco
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22 Costantino Magistri
C. Magistri
Bugatti T13 Brescia 
7 Renato Balestrero
R. Balestrero
OM 665S 
16 Angelo Giusti
A. Giusti
SPA 24S
COPPA ETNA
Circuito di Gelso Bianco (I), 31 May 1925.
7 laps x 36.0 km (22.370 mi) = 252 km (156.592 mi)
Magistri wins the Coppa Etna with Bugatti
by Hans Etzrodt
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The Coppa Etna race in Sicily was held for the first time in 1925 along seven laps of the 36 km Gelso Bianco Circuit. The 22 starters were divided into five categories. Magistri (1.5 Bugatti)
led the race from start to finish. The battle for second place between Puglisi (3.0 Alfa Romeo), Balestrero (2.0 OM) and Giusti (4.4 SPA) was won by Balestrero with Guisti third as Puglisi
dropped to tenth place. Pucci (2.0 Bugatti) finished fourth and Trombetta (4.5 Fiat) was fifth. Twelve cars finished and 10 retired.
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The Coppa Etna was held for the first time in 1925, organized by the Automobile Club di Catania on the 36 km Circuito di Gelso Bianco which had to be lapped seven times, a total of 252 km.
Although the organizers designated the race the Coppa Etna, the event was referred to as Circuito del Gelso Bianco, taking a cue from the lush mulberry tree. The circuit, which was no wider
than five meters, wound its way for 36 km along a twisting and hilly dirt road course with 150 corners. The start, took place at Piazza Palestro where the pits and grandstands were located.
The Piazza was packed with spectators in the stands, on the terraces and rooftops and in the pits area. After rounding the Piazza, the course left Catania along via Palermo and headed uphill
in north westerly direction passing through the town of Misterbianco. From here the course turned south-west to Motta Sant'Anastasia at an altitude of 275 meters. From there the road twisted
south for 8 km downhill to the dangerous left-hand curve of Stazione di Motta S.A. Here the course turned east on flat terrain, then north-east back into the west side of Catania to the finish straight.
The overall winner was awarded the Coppa Etna and 15,000 lire, the second finisher received a gold medal and 7,000 lire and third a gold medal and 4,000 lire. The fastest lap was awarded with a
gold medal. Class winners were awarded with 1,000 lire and a gold medal.
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Entries:
A 3-Liter Ceirano CS2H was driven by Salvatore Esterini, but the name Salvatore Ignoto was reported in all official reports. Alessandro Silva informed us that "Ignoto" was a pseudonym. His full name
was Salvatore Esterini, born August 14, 1883 in Acireale (Catania) and died March 3, 1980. Michael Müller informed us that Pucci's T35 was the Targa Florio works car of Ferdinand de Vizcaya
(chassis 4517), which had been sold after the race through the Palermo Bugatti agency Albanese & Carello to Baron Giulio Pucci di Benischi. From the 23 entries Giuseppe Battista (Alfa Romeo RLS)
did not start, which left 22 starters who are all listed at the beginning of this report.
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Race:
The 8:01 AM start at Piazza Palestra was in order of the race numbers, one car at a time at one-minute intervals because of the dust from the dirt roads. The 1500 cc cars were released first, followed by the
2000 class, next the 3000 cars, the over 3000 cars and finally the race cars. Almost every car carried a riding mechanic and one or two spare wheels. However, the cars were not necessarily released at one-minute
intervals. The times were determined beforehand according to the race numbers and if cars did not appear at the start (e.g. #13), then the car #14 was held to its predetermined time of departure. The number 17
was not used, because drivers considered it an unlucky number. Instead the number 16A was applied.
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| 8:01 | 1 | Sergio | Peugeot | 1500 cc | | |
| 8:02 | 2 | Firpo Vozzi | OM | --"-- |
| 8:03 | 3 | Cacciola | Fiat | --"-- |
| 8:04 | 4 | Tricomi | Fiat | --"-- |
| 8:05 | 5 | Russo | Fiat | --"-- |
| 8:06 | 6 | Anselmi | OM | 2000 cc |
| 8:07 | 7 | Balestrero | OM | --"-- |
| 8:08 | 8 | Giannetto | Alfa Romeo | 3000 cc |
| 8:09 | 9 | Casano | Alfa Romeo | --"-- |
| 8:10 | 10 | Vigo G. | Ceirano | --"-- |
| 8:11 | 11 | Esterini | Ceirano | --"-- alias Ignoto |
| 8:12 | 12 | Fisauli | Ceirano | --"-- |
| 8:13 | 13 | Battista | Alfa Romeo | --"-- did not start |
| 8:14 | 14 | Puglisi | Alfa Romeo | --"-- |
| 8:15 | 15 | Schininà | Nazzaro | over 3000 cc |
| 8:16 | 16 | Giusti | SPA | --"-- |
| 8:17 | 16A | Federico | Ford | --"-- |
| 8:18 | 18 | Pucci | Bugatti 2000 | race cars |
| 8:19 | 19 | Musmeci | Bugatti 2000 | --"-- |
| 8:20 | 20 | Trombetta | Fiat 4500 | --"-- |
| 8:21 | 21 | Piro | Fiat 1500 | --"-- |
| 8:22 | 22 | Magistri | Bugatti 1500 | --"-- |
| 8:23 | 23 | Vigo M. | Bugatti 2000 | --"-- |
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Prince Reburdone, President of the Catania AC, was the starter with help of the timekeeper Prince Petrulla. He dropped the flag for the first car, the small Peugeot who took off to great applause from the crowd.
The drivers were flagged away one after another with cheers by the enthusiastic grandstand crowd. When the Ford of Federico started, the car stopped immediately at the pits where it retired. This withdrawal
caused much amusement.
After the first lap Mario Vigo stopped his Bugatti at the pits to change a sparkplug and Pucci stopped with an ignition problem on his Bugatti. Baron Fisauli had one of the tires burst. After the wheel was
changed the Ceirano engine broke down after a short climb. Fisauli then picked up Sergio and his mechanic after their Peugeot had broken down. When they reached the pits, the crowd greeted them with lively
applause. A total of six cars retired on the first lap: Sergio (1500 Peugeot), Russo (1500 Fiat), Fisauli (3000 Ceirano), Schininà (4400 Nazzaro), Federico (over 3000 Ford) and Piro (1500 Fiat). The field was
down to 16 cars after 36 km of the first lap:
| 1. | Magistri (Bugatti) | 24m27s | 2000 cc |
| 2. | Puglisi (Alfa Romeo) | 25m09s | 3000 cc |
| 3. | Balestrero (OM) | 25m45s | 2000 cc |
| 4. | Giusti (Spa) | 25m45s | over 3000 cc |
| 5. | Tricomi (Fiat) | 26m17s | 1500 cc |
| 6. | Trombetta (Fiat) | 26m31s | over 3000 cc |
| 7. | Vigo M. (Bugatti) | 27m00s | 2000 cc |
| 8. | Musmeci (Bugatti) | 27m05s | 2000 cc |
| 9. | Casano (Alfa Romeo) | 27m20s | 3000 cc |
| 10. | Giannetto (Alfa Romeo) | 28m18s | 3000 cc |
| 11. | Vigo G. (Ceirano) | 29m27s | 3000 cc |
| 12. | Anselmi (OM) | 31m32s | 2000 cc |
| 13. | Cacciola (Fiat) | 32m15s | 1500 cc |
| 14. | Pucci (Bugatti) | 32m40s | 2000 cc |
| 15. | Esterini (Ceirano) | 34m16s | 3000 cc |
| 16. | Firpo Vozzi (OM) | 34m43s | 1500 cc |
Balestrero who was third on an equal footing with Giusti in fourth place, managed to distance the Spa and the Alfa Romeo of Puglisi during the second lap and moved into second place. Tricomi with very regular pace
held fifth place. Musmeci managed to overtake Mario Vigo and Trombetta from eighth position, advancing to sixth place. Giannetto from 10th place advanced to 9th. Pucci from 14th moved to 12th place. Casano
(Alfa Romeo) retired on the second lap due to a breakdown of his car. At the end of 72 km, the field was down to 15 cars in the following order after two laps:
| 1. | Magistri (Bugatti) | 48m48s | 2000 cc |
| 2. | Balestrero (OM) | 50m49s | 2000 cc |
| 3. | Puglisi (Alfa Romeo) | 50m49s | 3000 cc |
| 4. | Giusti (Spa) | 52m46s | over 3000 cc |
| 5. | Tricomi (Fiat) | 52m56s | 1500 cc |
| 6. | Musmeci (Bugatti) | 53m58s | 2000 cc |
| 7. | Trombetta (Fiat) | 54m00s | over 3000 cc |
| 8. | Vigo M. (Bugatti) | 55m06s | 2000 cc |
| 9. | Giannetto (Alfa Romeo) | 55m34s | 3000 cc |
| 10. | Vigo G. (Ceirano) | 59m13s | 3000 cc |
| 11. | Anselmi (OM) | 1h01m15s | 2000 cc |
| 12. | Pucci (Bugatti) | 1h01m35s | 2000 cc |
| 13. | Esterini (Ceirano) | 1h02m28s | 3000 cc |
| 14. | Cacciola (Fiat) | 1h04m14s | 1500 cc |
| 15. | Firpo Vozzi (OM) | 1h09m09s | 1500 cc |
The leading Bugatti of Magistri passed by, taking almost the same time, 24m31s, as the previous two laps. Balestrero raised his pace and covered the third lap in 24m45s. A short time afterwards, arrived the red
Alfa Romeo of Puglisi while Giannetto's Alfa Romeo stopped for a minute in front of his pit to refuel. Shortly afterwards, Giusti's Spa passed the turn and seemed to spin out, but continued safely and quickly
disappeared at the turn of via Palermo. The OM of Anselmi arrived, which was overtaken by G. Vigo's Ceirano. A fierce struggle was taking place between the two cars, which thrilled the spectators. Meanwhile
Anselmi managed to overtake the Ceirano on the via Palermo to the applause of the crowd. The Fiat of Cacciola arrived, followed closely by Musmeci's Bugatti. On the straight, the Bugatti then passed the Fiat.
Next the Ceirano of Esterini arrived and seconds behind was the Bugatti of Magistri followed after a short distance by the Fiat of Trombetta. Ms. Firpo Vozziwas last in 1h58m23s and had been passed by the first few
competitors who completed the fourth lap. After 108 km, the order was as follows at the end of the 3rd lap:
| 1. | Magistri (Bugatti) | 1h13m19s | 2000 cc |
| 2. | Balestrero (OM) | 1h15m02s | 2000 cc |
| 3. | Puglisi (Alfa Romeo) | 1h15m32s | 3000 cc |
| 4. | Giusti (Spa) | 1h16m08s | over 3000 cc |
| 5. | Tricomi (Fiat) | 1h19m06s | 1500 cc |
| 6. | Musmeci (Bugatti) | 1h20m46s | 2000 cc |
| 7. | Trombetta (Fiat) | 1h21m28s | over 3000 cc |
| 8. | Giannetto (Alfa Romeo) | 1h21m36s | 3000 cc |
| 9. | Vigo M. (Bugatti) | 1h22m18s | 2000 cc |
| 10. | Pucci (Bugatti) | 1h27m28s | 2000 cc |
| 11. | Esterini (Ceirano) | 1h29m14s | 3000 cc |
| 12. | Vigo G. (Ceirano) | 1h29m26s | 3000 cc |
| 13. | Anselmi (OM) | 1h31m | 2000 cc |
| 14. | Cacciola (Fiat) | 1h56m | 1500 cc |
| 15. | Firpo Vozzi (OM) | 1h58m23s | 1500 cc |
On lap four Balestrero stopped for about 20 seconds and then restarted. Immediately afterwards Anselmi passed but was one lap behind. Musmeci's Bugatti passed at great speed, followed by Esterini's Ceirano and M. Vigo's
Bugatti. The Ceirano of G. Vigo was followed very closely by the Fiat of Trombetta, who drove in perfect regularity. Pucci and Anselmi refueled and restarted while Cacciola passed with great delay. Mario Vigo with the
T35 Bugatti was plagued by misfiring and he made a long pit stop. He then made the fastest lap of the race in 22m48.6s at an average of 94.695 km/h. The order after 144 km was as follows at the end of the fourth lap:
| 1. | Magistri (Bugatti) | 1h37m | 2000 cc |
| 2. | Puglisi (Alfa Romeo) | 1h40m09s | 3000 cc |
| 3. | Giusti (Spa) | 1h40m32s | over 3000 cc |
| 4. | Balestrero (OM) | 1h40m51s | 2000 cc |
| 5. | Vigo M. (Bugatti) | 1h45m07s | 2000 cc |
| 6. | Musmeci (Bugatti) | 1h47m12s | 2000 cc |
| 7. | Trombetta (Fiat) | 1h47m22s | over 3000 cc |
| 8. | Tricomi (Fiat) | 1h47m48s | 1500 cc |
| 9. | Giannetto (Alfa Romeo) | 1h49m | 3000 cc |
| 10. | Pucci (Bugatti) | 1h52m | 2000 cc |
| 11. | Esterini (Ceirano) | 1h55m | 3000 cc |
| 12. | Vigo G. (Ceirano) | 1h58m | 3000 cc |
| 13. | Anselmi (OM) | 2h00m | 2000 cc |
| 14. | Cacciola (Fiat) | 2h32m | 1500 cc |
| 15. | Firpo Vozzi (OM) | 2h35m | 1500 cc |
On the fifth lap Balestrero drove faster than ever, trying to make up time on his immediate rival. A few minutes later the Alfa Romeo of Puglisi arrived, then the Spa of Giusti. The crowd never tired of applauding the
Cantanese driver. Magistri stopped at the pits and then started again. When Giannetto's Alfa Romeo refueled in 1m20s, Musmeci's Bugatti advanced and the Fiat of Trombetta also managed to move ahead. After Tricomi (Fiat),
M. Vigo (Bugatti) and Esterini (Ceirano) had retired, the field was down to 12 cars with the order as follows after the fifth lap:
| 1. | Magistri (Bugatti) | 2h02m58s | 2000 cc |
| 2. | Balestrero (OM) | 2h03m | 2000 cc |
| 3. | Giusti (Spa) | 2h04m | over 3000 cc |
| 4. | Puglisi (Alfa Romeo) | 2h08m | 3000 cc |
| 5. | Pucci (Bugatti) | 2h12m | 2000 cc |
| 6. | Musmeci (Bugatti) | 2h14m04s | 2000 cc |
| 7. | Trombetta (Fiat) | 2h15m40s | over 3000 cc |
| 8. | Giannetto (Alfa Romeo) | 2h18m | 3000 cc |
| 9. | Anselmi (OM) | 2h31m | 2000 cc |
| 10. | Vigo G. (Ceirano) | 2h33m | 3000 cc |
| 11. | Cacciola (Fiat) | 2h39m | 1500 cc |
| 12. | Firpo Vozzi (OM) | | 1500 cc |
On the sixth lap the order changed only slightly. Magistri in the lead arrived after 2h26m. In second place after 2h28m was Balestrero. His mechanic reported the threat of Giusti's SPA following after 2h30m. He
progressively improved his pace and passed very quickly amid the applause of the crowd who wanted to give all their encouragement to the daring driver. Musmeci's Bugatti passed after 2h40m and stopped for a long time
to refuel and take on water. Next followed Pucci ahead of Trombetta both after 2h42m, Giannetto after 2h48m, Puglisi after 2h50m, Anselmi after 2h59m, Vigo G., Cacciola and Firpo Vozzi in 12th place.
On lap seven, Magistri led ahead of Balestrero and Giusti, followed by Pucci, who had climbed to fourth place. Trombetta was fifth ahead of Musmeci, Giannetto, Anselmi, Vigo G., Cacciola and Firpo Vozzi last. When the red
OM of Balestrero crossed the finish line in 2h53m23s, the public jumped to their feet and applauded for a long time. The arrival of Angelo Giusti's SPA was expected with a watch in hand. When Anselmi arrived, the
tension of the crowd increased. After a short time, a firecracker signaled the arrival of a car. Everyone took a step forward when the shiny SPA arrived. The enthusiastic crowd applauded and waved the hats. Giusti
reached the finish line, continued along the curve and then stopped. He had lost second place by over a minute. But this did not diminish the enthusiasm of the crowd. The driver was torn from the wheel and carried
in triumph passed the stands. Some cars were arriving late, but the public was not interested. But when the blue Bugatti appeared on the straight, the formidable loud applause subdued the rumble of the engine.
Magistri and the mechanic Caramma Girolamo were carried in triumph surrounded by the frenetic applause of the crowd. The first Coppa Etna, which gained a greater success than expected, had ended.
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Results
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In retrospect:
The Giornale del Isola had a problem reporting the intermediate times as of the third lap. Some times were not published or were removed by us, due to being completely false, but the order of the drivers
listed is correct. We replaced the missing intermediate times when found on a photograph that showed the timing board display. The final times varied between the sources and we hope to have selected the correct ones.
While most published reports contained incomplete results and no meaningful content, great help came from Rino Rao at home in Catania, Sicily, who generously mailed the reports from Giornale dell’Isola, Il Corriere di Sicilia
and L'Auto Italiana. Rino Rao's book, Coppa Etna, was likewise very helpful with race numbers, starting times and the greater part of the race progress.
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Primary sources researched for this article:
ACI - rivista, Torino
AUTO-MOTO-CYCLO, Milano
Corriere di Sicilia, Catania
Giornale dell'Isola, Catania
Giornale di Sicilia, Palermo
La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milano
La Sicilia, Catania
L'Auto Italiana, Milano
L'Impero, Roma
Special thanks to:
Alessandro Silva
Giuseppe Prisco
Michael Müller
Rino Rao
Rino Rao: Coppa Etna book
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