Death of Raffaele Pinto, the lover of Italian women

A page in Italian motorsport is turning. Nicknamed “Lele”, Raffaele Pinto lost his fight against a long illness on the night of December 7 to 8 at the age of 75.

His statistics are hardly moving if we compare them to the results of current rallymen. His only World Rally victory came in 1974 on Portuguese soil with a Fiat Abarth 124 Sport.

But more than the performances, it was his influence in the rallying sphere that was significant. Last European champion before the introduction of the World Cup in 1972 with co-pilots Arnaldo Bernacchini and Luigi Macaluso, where he had the luxury of beating the Musketeers of the Armada Alpine, the Italian has devoted great love to trans brandsalpines.

First a Fiat driver, Raffaele Pinto then wore Lancia colors with the legendary Stratos in Alitalia colors. It was with the angular coupe that ''Lele'' scored three World Cup podiums, between 1976 and 1977, in Portugal, Sanremo and at the Tour de Corse.

More famous but less renowned in rallying, Ferrari acquired its first victory thanks to Raffaele Pinto, as part of the 1979 Monza Rally. The native of Casnate con Bernate in Lombardy drove a 308 GTB Group 4 prepared by Michelotto.

All AUTO editorial staffhebdo extends its most sincere condolences to the family, loved ones and friends of Raffaele Pinto.