I second that on Lens dad, we talked to him for over a hour. His passion for life, cars and any topic is inspiring. Stories of the Mille Miglia and Enzo Ferrari. At that time he was just some guy we were racing. Hopefully I'll have half his energy. If I do now? Mike
Mike,
Don't feel bad, I wish I had half his energy!
A little back story about his days in Italy—he used to work for the Marzotto family in Valdagno, and was friends with The Count's son Giannino, who won the Mille Miglia in '50 and '53 (driving a double-breated suit no less!). My Dad's family had just come from Italy's lost territory in Istria after the war, and worked first as a driver for the Count's son and then helped the family scout locations for their new hotel business (later to become the Jolly Hotel chain). The Marzotto family basically owned Italy's wool business in those days...
The connection to Enzo Ferrari comes from the '53 Mille Miglia win celebration; my father was introduced to a man who he later learned was the Commendatore himself. Wish my father had taken up photography; I would have some collection of negatives! He once walked me through Vicenza to show me the route the cars took through the city during the race, including one store front that would always lose its glass window because cars would invariably slide into it!
Glad both you and Cathy enjoyed his company; I'll let him know...
