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Roberto Ravaglia (born 26 May 1957 in
Ravaglia made three visits to Australia during his racing career, all to drive in the Bathurst 1000. In his debut race in 1985 James Hardie 1000, 1985 he finished a fine second with Venezuelan people, Venezuelan Johnny Cecotto in the Schnitzer BMW 635 CSi which had earlier in the year finished 2nd at Spa, with both drivers sharing the "Rookie of the Year" award. The car, run by Australian Greg "Pee Wee" Siddle and under the name of "Goold Motorsport" and sponsored by retired Australian racer and successful tyre retailer Bob Jane, was initially to be driven by Formula One drivers Riccardo Patrese and Gerhard Berger, but the race was run on the same day as the 1985 European Grand Prix, European Grand Prix at Brands Hatch in England. Ravaglia and Cecotto's effort was all the more impressive considering that their Sebring Orange 635 CSi was down on power throughout qualifying and the race with a small electrical gremlin which the Schnitzer mechanics didn't manage to successfully cure.
He returned in 1986 James Hardie 1000, 1986, again in a Schnitzer 635 for Goold Motorsport, this time painted in BMW's famous cut-away paint scheme, and initially qualified a surprising 2nd before ending up 9th on the grid after the "Hardies Heroes" Top 10 run-off. To his credit Ravaglia stated his time wouldn't have been possible in qualifying proper without the tow he got from one of the faster Holden V8 engine, V8 Holden Commodore SS Group A, Holden Commodore's on the run up Mountain Straight and on the almost 2 km long Conrod Straight, and attributed that lack of a tow in the runoff for his falling to 9th. Partnering former ETCC champion Dieter Quester his race unfortunately ended early when he clashed on lap 2 of 163 with the Jaguar XJS#Motorsport, Jaguar XJS of 1985 winner John Goss (racing driver), John Goss. In an uncharacteristic show of raw emotion, Ravaglia physically attacked Goss in the pits after Goss finished his opening driving stint believing the Australian to be totally at fault for the accident and had to be restrained by his team. He later apologised to Goss and professed regret for his actions. Goss, who said in an interview with race broadcaster Seven Sport, Channel 7 that he was "astounded" about incident in the pits (but didn't name Ravaglia as the other driver), declined the option from race officials to have action taken against the Italian believing it to be just "one of those things".
Ravaglia returned to Australia for two rounds of the 1987 World Touring Car Championship, inaugural World Touring Car Championship. The first being the 1987 James Hardie 1000, which was a disaster for the Schnitzer team and Roberto. After crashing his BMW M3 at the top of the mountain during qualifying he suffered heavy bruising to his ribs which required strapping. Following his final stint at the wheel during the race he was taken to the tracks medical centre after collapsing from exhaustion and dehydration from the physical effort of having to drive the little car around the 6.213 km long Mount Panorama Circuit with bruised ribs that were reportedly strapped too tight, making it hard for him to breathe. His last race in Australia was a week later in the 1987 Bob Jane T-Marts 500, Bob Jane T-Marts 500 at the Calder Park Raceway in Melbourne, a unique track that combined the 2.280 km (1.417 mi) road course with the then new 1.801 km (1.119 mi) NASCAR style high banked "Thunderdome". Again teamed with Italian Emanuele Pirro, the pair qualified their M3 9th, but would enjoy a much better race than at Bathurst, finishing 2nd behind the Steve Soper / Pierre Dieudonné Texaco Ford Sierra RS500.
Roberto Ravaglia was also successful in other 24-hour races, twice winning the famous 24 Hours Nürburgring, Nürburgring 24 Hours. His first win came in 1989 driving a BMW M3 with another F1 driver (and regular ETCC/WTCC co-driver) Emanuele Pirro and Frenchman Fabien Giroix. His last 24-hour win at the famous Nürburgring was in 1995 driving a BMW 3 Series (E36), BMW 320i with Marc Duez and Alexander Burgstaller.
European Touring Car Championship - Part 5: 1982-1988 Group A years
/ref> (:Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)
Profile
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FIA GT official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ravaglia, Roberto 1957 births Living people Italian racing drivers World Touring Car Championship drivers World Touring Car Champions British Touring Car Championship drivers Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters drivers Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters champions FIA GT Championship drivers 24 Hours of Le Mans drivers Italian Formula Three Championship drivers FIA European Formula 3 Championship drivers Auto racing crew chiefs World Sportscar Championship drivers 24 Hours of Spa drivers European Touring Car Championship drivers Sports car racing team owners BMW M drivers Schnitzer Motorsport drivers TOM'S drivers Nürburgring 24 Hours drivers
Venice
Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 ...
, Italy) is a former auto racing driver, who currently runs ROAL Motorsport, who operate a Chevrolet operation in the World Touring Car Championship. Before retiring in 1997, he was one of the most successful touring car racing drivers, primarily for BMW, and won seven titles in four different championships.
Racing career
He was twice Italiankarting
Kart racing or karting is a road racing variant of motorsport with open-wheel, four-wheeled vehicles known as go-karts or shifter karts. They are usually raced on scaled-down circuits, although some professional kart races are also held on f ...
champion and raced in Formula 3
Formula Three, also called Formula 3, abbreviated as F3, is a third-tier class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One driv ...
in the early 1980s. In 1984 he made his touring car
Touring car and tourer are both terms for open cars (i.e. cars without a fixed roof).
"Touring car" is a style of open car built in the United States which seats four or more people. The style was popular from the early 1900s to the 1930s.
Th ...
debut, becoming European Touring Car Championship champion in 1986, and successfully defending the title in 1987 and 1988 (though in 1987 it was the World Touring Car Championship), with some races outside Europe including the Macau Grand Prix Guia Race, Guia Touring Car races and the 1987 James Hardie 1000, James Hardie 1000 in Australia. Later in the 1988 season he was unable to defend his Macau win due to breaking a rib in a road accident driving his Fiat Uno. He switched with BMW to the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, DTM in 1989, and the Italian Superturismo Championship in 1990, winning both on the first attempt. He was also champion in 1991 and 1993. One of the few unsuccessful seasons of his career was 1996 in the British Touring Car Championship, despite finishing a credible 6th and picking up a win at the British GP support race. He also came in 4th at Supertourismo that year. He was now approaching 40 and did not win another championship as a driver.
Roberto Ravaglia was also successful in the famed Spa 24 Hours race at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, winning the race three times. He won his first 24 hours in 1985 driving a BMW E24, BMW 635 CSi partnered by Formula One drivers Gerhard Berger and Marc Surer. He followed that win with a 3rd place in 1986 and second in 1987 before winning again in 1988 in a BMW M3#E30 M3, BMW M3 partnered by Dieter Quester and Altfrid Heger. His last win in the Ardennes round the clock classic came in 1994. Again driving a BMW, this time the BMW 3 Series (E36), BMW 318is partnered by Thierry Tassin and Alexander Burgstaller.
Ravaglia made three visits to Australia during his racing career, all to drive in the Bathurst 1000. In his debut race in 1985 James Hardie 1000, 1985 he finished a fine second with Venezuelan people, Venezuelan Johnny Cecotto in the Schnitzer BMW 635 CSi which had earlier in the year finished 2nd at Spa, with both drivers sharing the "Rookie of the Year" award. The car, run by Australian Greg "Pee Wee" Siddle and under the name of "Goold Motorsport" and sponsored by retired Australian racer and successful tyre retailer Bob Jane, was initially to be driven by Formula One drivers Riccardo Patrese and Gerhard Berger, but the race was run on the same day as the 1985 European Grand Prix, European Grand Prix at Brands Hatch in England. Ravaglia and Cecotto's effort was all the more impressive considering that their Sebring Orange 635 CSi was down on power throughout qualifying and the race with a small electrical gremlin which the Schnitzer mechanics didn't manage to successfully cure.
He returned in 1986 James Hardie 1000, 1986, again in a Schnitzer 635 for Goold Motorsport, this time painted in BMW's famous cut-away paint scheme, and initially qualified a surprising 2nd before ending up 9th on the grid after the "Hardies Heroes" Top 10 run-off. To his credit Ravaglia stated his time wouldn't have been possible in qualifying proper without the tow he got from one of the faster Holden V8 engine, V8 Holden Commodore SS Group A, Holden Commodore's on the run up Mountain Straight and on the almost 2 km long Conrod Straight, and attributed that lack of a tow in the runoff for his falling to 9th. Partnering former ETCC champion Dieter Quester his race unfortunately ended early when he clashed on lap 2 of 163 with the Jaguar XJS#Motorsport, Jaguar XJS of 1985 winner John Goss (racing driver), John Goss. In an uncharacteristic show of raw emotion, Ravaglia physically attacked Goss in the pits after Goss finished his opening driving stint believing the Australian to be totally at fault for the accident and had to be restrained by his team. He later apologised to Goss and professed regret for his actions. Goss, who said in an interview with race broadcaster Seven Sport, Channel 7 that he was "astounded" about incident in the pits (but didn't name Ravaglia as the other driver), declined the option from race officials to have action taken against the Italian believing it to be just "one of those things".
Ravaglia returned to Australia for two rounds of the 1987 World Touring Car Championship, inaugural World Touring Car Championship. The first being the 1987 James Hardie 1000, which was a disaster for the Schnitzer team and Roberto. After crashing his BMW M3 at the top of the mountain during qualifying he suffered heavy bruising to his ribs which required strapping. Following his final stint at the wheel during the race he was taken to the tracks medical centre after collapsing from exhaustion and dehydration from the physical effort of having to drive the little car around the 6.213 km long Mount Panorama Circuit with bruised ribs that were reportedly strapped too tight, making it hard for him to breathe. His last race in Australia was a week later in the 1987 Bob Jane T-Marts 500, Bob Jane T-Marts 500 at the Calder Park Raceway in Melbourne, a unique track that combined the 2.280 km (1.417 mi) road course with the then new 1.801 km (1.119 mi) NASCAR style high banked "Thunderdome". Again teamed with Italian Emanuele Pirro, the pair qualified their M3 9th, but would enjoy a much better race than at Bathurst, finishing 2nd behind the Steve Soper / Pierre Dieudonné Texaco Ford Sierra RS500.
Roberto Ravaglia was also successful in other 24-hour races, twice winning the famous 24 Hours Nürburgring, Nürburgring 24 Hours. His first win came in 1989 driving a BMW M3 with another F1 driver (and regular ETCC/WTCC co-driver) Emanuele Pirro and Frenchman Fabien Giroix. His last 24-hour win at the famous Nürburgring was in 1995 driving a BMW 3 Series (E36), BMW 320i with Marc Duez and Alexander Burgstaller.
Team management
In 2001, he founded his own racing team, Ravaglia Motorsport (now ''ROAL Motorsport''), with Aldo Preo. The team took part in the European Touring Car Championship with support from BMW Motorsport, and their driver Peter Kox won the Super Production class championship in the first season. The entry name of the BMW squad was ''BMW Team Germany'' in 2001, but it changed to ''BMW Team Spain'' in the next season and has been ''BMW Team Italy-Spain'' since 2003. The team currently competes in the World Touring Car Championship.Racing Career Highlights
as Driver
; 1985 : Winner of the 24 Hours of Spa ; 1986 : European Touring Car Championship champion ; 1987 : World Touring Car Championship champion : Winner of the Guia Race ; 1988 : European Touring Car Championship champion : Winner of the 24 Hours of Spa ; 1989 : Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM) champion : Winner of the 24 Hours Nürburgring Nordschleife ; 1990 : Italia Superturismo Championship, Italian Touring Car Championship champion ; 1991 : Italia Superturismo Championship, Italian Touring Car Championship champion ; 1992 : Third in Guia Race ; 1993 : Italia Superturismo Championship, Italian Touring Car Championship champion ; 1994 : Winner of the 24 Hours of Spa ; 1995 : Winner of the 24 Hours Nürburgring Nordschleifeas Team director
; 2001 : European Touring Car Championship, FIA European Super Tourring Championship ''Super Production'' class champion for Peter Kox (Ravaglia BMW) ; 2005 : Italian Superturismo Championship champion for Alessandro Zanardi (Ravaglia BMW)Career results
Results sourced from Driver Database.Complete European Touring Car Championship results
Results sourced from History of Touring Car Racing./ref> (:Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)
Complete Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft results
(:Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)Complete World Touring Car Championship results
(:Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)Complete World Sportscar Championship results
(:Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)Complete FIA GT Championship results
(:Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)Complete British Touring Car Championship results
(:Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position - 1 point awarded all races 1996 only) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)Complete Super Tourenwagen Cup results
(:Template:Motorsport driver results legend, key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)Complete Bathurst 1000 results
References
External links
Profile
- b
FIA GT official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ravaglia, Roberto 1957 births Living people Italian racing drivers World Touring Car Championship drivers World Touring Car Champions British Touring Car Championship drivers Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters drivers Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters champions FIA GT Championship drivers 24 Hours of Le Mans drivers Italian Formula Three Championship drivers FIA European Formula 3 Championship drivers Auto racing crew chiefs World Sportscar Championship drivers 24 Hours of Spa drivers European Touring Car Championship drivers Sports car racing team owners BMW M drivers Schnitzer Motorsport drivers TOM'S drivers Nürburgring 24 Hours drivers