| “I raced as a semi-Works driver in Lancia’s third Beta Montecarlo Turbo with Giorgio Pianta, Beppe Gabbiani and others in 1981. The car was fast, light and easy to drive, but it wasn’t pleasant because the power only arrived in the final 1,000 revs. It was tough racing a two-litre car against the bigger Porsches. I remember Jacky Ickx passing me on Les Hunaudières at Le Mans before there were chicanes. His 936 was around 100kph quicker and every time he passed it shoved me about a metre sideways. It was also tough racing in the same team as six Formula 1 drivers – we were all good friends and treated the same, the only difference was in our lap times! – and under the direction of team principle Cesare Fiorio. But I’m proud that we brought home points in the Silverstone Six Hours and contributed towards Lancia’s title win that year. In 1982, when the cars from the previous season were no longer eligible, I bought my 1981 Beta Montecarlo with another car and many spare parts. To this day, that’s still my favourite car in my collection – it’s in completely original condition, as I raced it in 1981.”
Giorgio Schön
Gentleman racer and Lancia collector | |
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