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History |
70s
- 80s |
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At the beginning of the seventies, Birel presented a chassis
which was destined to leave a very deep impression on
the history of karting: the Targa. This very simple chassis
immediately appeared extremely competitive, mainly thanks
to the excellent rear wheel smoothness. In 1973, Terry
Fullerton won the World Championship in Nivelles, Belgium,
on an evolved Targa with modified rear end. The following
year, Birel and IAME, the manufacturer of Komet and Parilla
engines, formed an official team with future Formula 1
drivers Riccardo Patrese and Eddy Cheever. The World Championship
race took place on 13 October 1974 in Estoril and was
a one-two victory for the team from Lissone: Patrese first,
Cheever second.
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Cristian
Fittipaldi, 100 Junior in Jesolo (I), 1986 |
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All
the outstanding karting champions raced with the Targa,
like the Italian Gabriele Gorini and the Belgian François
Goldstein. The chassis was also driven by numerous drivers
who were soon to debut in Formula 1: the late Elio De
Angelis, Stefano Modena and Corrado Fabi.
Umberto Sala died of cancer on 15 June 1976. His sons
Oscar and Ermanno took control of the company but the
loss left a gap that could not be filled, both in Birel
and the karting world. On the day of his funeral, all
the people of Lissone lined the streets to pay their last
respects to the man who had brought international fame
to their little town in Brianza.
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Mike
Wilson, 1981, 1982, 1983 World Champion with Birel.
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A
new family in the Targa chassis series, with 30 millimetre
tubes and double-bearing axle, was created in 1977. The
double-bearing Targa debuted with Corrado Fabi in the
1977 World Championship in Parma. It was very fast, but
a contact in the eliminatory heats and another misadventure
in the finals barred his chances of success. Birel tried
again the following year winning the World Championship
with American driver Lake Speed on the Le Mans track.
In 1978, Birel won the Junior World Championship with
Stefano Modena.
Conte Nero, the first Birel chassis specifically designed
for 125, was created in 1979. Until that time, the Birel
chassises competing in the gearbox class were actually
modified 100 models. Conte Nero was constructed around
the engine made by Gianfranco Baroni, many times European
125 champion. With Conte Nero, Baroni won he Italian Championship
straight away but failed to conquer the European title.
He tried again in 1981, given Birel the first international
125 class win. |
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home |
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