Died Juan María Traverso, one of the greatest idols in the already great history of Argentine motorsports. For his triumphs, his titles, his personality, the Skinny It marked an era, with many brands and in several categories. However, when he obtained the most grandiose victory of his sporting career, he did not even realize what he was achieving: win with your car set on fire.
He April 3, 1988 The TC 2000 played the second date of the season at the General Roca racetrack, in the province of Black river. There, Traverso, with the Renault Fuego prepared by the legendary Oreste Berta, continued its triumphant streak. But at the end, the unexpected arrived. The machine began to smoke and Traverso He began to be harassed by Silvio Oltra. The tension increased. Traverso seemed to not reach the checkered flag, and his rival was looking for a gap to overcome him.
“A hose broke and I started leaking oil, mainly from the exhausts. I spilled practically all the lubricant in the last three laps, which raised the engine temperature until it was red hot,” Traverso commented when explaining that very particular situation.
“I noticed the smoke entering the cabin. And it started to bother me, more and more. By the end it was even difficult to breathe. But there was very little left until the arrival and I did not want to give up the victory, so I continued hard until the end,” highlighted “Flaco”, which that Patagonian noon was reflected on the television screen with unusual drama.
Finally the white Fuego, wrapped in flames, crossed the finish line. “Traverso won!” was the desperate cry of Raúl Barceló, who was recounting the TC 2000 race on TV. And just then, the car stopped, the fire reignited and Traverso got out of the car as if it were the end of a movie. As he left the car he raised his arms and the audience applauded him. Perhaps only then did he realize the real danger he was in on top of that burning car.
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The day Juan María Traverso won with a Fuego Coupe engulfed in flames.
“It was a key moment. I told myself I can win or it can burn. If it burns I get out, I unfastened my seat belts, I unlocked the door, I looked at where the firefighters were so I could park there if things got ugly,” Traverso commented time. after.
“At the time it didn’t catch my attention that much. From inside the car I did not perceive the fire as they did from the outside,” she highlighted. There was the surprise, when everything was over and the public and journalists flocked like never before to the great champion.
Wise traverso of memorable victories. Two years earlier, in Pigüé, he had won with just three wheels when crossing the finish line, beating Mario Gayraud, with whom he was fighting for the crown.
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One of the most winning societies in national motorsport includes a film chapter in an unforgettable TC2000 race, in 1988, in General Roca.
The rival always grants prestige. In this case, Oltra was the reigning champion, in addition to having won on the opening date of the 1988 season, in Mar del Plata. He also dominated the competition, while Traverso had started from fourth position.
With only four laps left (45 of 49), Oltra got into trouble with the lagging Carlos Crocco, and Traverso, who was already second, overtook them both.
Just then mechanical problems began for Traverso. Until the outcome came with that historic flare. “The Renault Fuego with which I won that historic race in General Roca must be a piece of iron for many, for me it is my friend. That day when it lasted until the end on fire it showed me that cars also have feelings. That is why which is one of my most precious treasures and is one of my jewels in the museum,” he highlighted years later.
The epic triumph was the first of three in 1988. The next ones were in Entre Ríos, both Paraná and Concordia. He was second in Buenos Aires, Pigüé, Las Parejas, Rafaela, and Balcarce. And he won the second crown in the category.
Traverso made history. Although at that moment he did not realize what that triumph of Fuego set on fire meant to the public. And time has established that victory as the most remembered in the rich history of the eternal idol.
2024-05-11 22:04:25
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