VOLUME ISSUE MAY , P133
topped America's best racers
with an impressive third-place
finish at the AMA National at
Ontario Motor Speedway. And
on this day at Monza, the same
track where he had been victori
-
ous two years earlier, he was in
first place, leading Saarinen and
many of the world's best racers
before the deadly crash.
Renzo "Paso" Pasolini was
born in 1938 in the province of
Rimini, Italy. Rimini is a province
located along the Adriatic Sea;
fittingly, one of young Renzo's
early motorcycle rides would
end in the water! It was not a
fully sanctioned ride, as Renzo's
father, Massimo Pasolini (him
-
self an Italian racing champion)
wasn't aware that his young son
had taken one of his father's
motorcycles for a ride la felicità!
As a young man, Renzo tried
his hand at motocross (and both
hands at boxing) before embark
-
ing on his career as a road racer.
His endeavor was interrupted by
a two-year sabbatical to fulfill
his Italian military obligation,
meaning that Pasolini was 26
years old before he scored his
first Grand Prix points, ironically,
at the Nations Grand Prix in
Monza in 1964.
He would go on to race at
the greatest tracks around the
world, including the Isle of Man,
Assen, Daytona and Ontario.
Pasolini rode for Aermacchi and
Benelli, storied Italian brands to
be sure, but also machines that
were often inferior to the MV
Agustas ridden by Hailwood,
Read and Agostini. In 1972,
Pasolini was nearly champion,
ous two years earlier, he was in
first place, leading Saarinen and
fittingly, one of young Renzo's
early motorcycle rides would
end in the water! It was not a
fully sanctioned ride, as Renzo's
father, Massimo Pasolini (him
self an Italian racing champion)
(Right) In 1972,
Pasolini was nearly
champion, losing the
250cc world title to
Jarno Saarinen by a
single point. (Below)
Pasolini (right) with
teammate Mark
Brelsford.