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History |
50s
- 60s |
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Karting become popular throughout Europe at the end of
the fifties. The craftsmen who started building the first
chassis in Italy called them "cancelli", "gates",
due to their weight and size. Umberto Sala in those days
was managing a car and motorcycle shop in Lissone, near
Milan. He opened a small light metallurgy workshop and
started making his first karts for fun. Sala had competed
in motorcycle and car races (including two editions of
the Mille Miglia) and karting was a way to release his
passion for engines and competitions. Sala's chassis were
called "Birel" which was the family's nickname
(in Lissone Sala family members are known as the "Birel",
with the stress on the letter "e").
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Guido
Sala, first Birel karts' driver. |
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The
first Birel Kart driver was Guido Sala, Umberto's brother,
who had competed in top level motorcycle races in the
past. Birel took part in the "World Championship"
race in September 1961 at Pista Rossa in Milan (which
was in actual fact an international competition because
it was not organised under the protection of FIA) and
won a wonderful second in the 100 class with Walter Eleonori,
following American ace Bob Allen. That same year, the
small company from Lissone presented its production range
at the Kart Show section of the Milan International Cycle
and Motorcycle Show.
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The
Sala Family after a victory: from the left Massimo
Nava, Umberto Sala, Oscar Sala. |
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The
first appearances of Birel on the international scene
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Over a few years, Birel built a solid fame thanks to numerous
racing successes. Umberto Sala was forced to abandon the
shop first and then the light metallurgy activity later
to devoted his attention entirely to the production of
karts. One of the drivers who contributed to affirming
Birel on tracks world-wide is Oscar Sala, Umberto's son,
who would become the company's future number one.
Birel built a number of Formula 3 cars in 1967, one
of which won the Italian Championship driven by Vittorio
Brambilla. 1967 was a crucial year for Birel when the
team won the first world championship title in Monte Carlo
with Swiss born driver Edgardo Rossi.
The karting sector experience a period of recession at
the end of the sixties and Birel attempted to open new
perspectives. The first 125 class chassis was made, and
an inexpensive assembly kit kart, specifically designed
for the US market, was marketed. During those years the
very refined Drag chassis was made, characterised by a
sophisticated steering control system which turned out
to be rather difficult to tune and for this reason was
not very successful. |
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home |
Years > 50s/60s
70s/80s
80s/90s
90s/2000 |
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