The wider picture
Sir,
Thank you for Mark Hughes’ excellent article about the Caracciola/Nuvolari partnership.
Due to their individual contracts, Alfa Romeo often sent the two to different races, sometimes as private entrants. Caracciola entered a number of other German events whilst Nuvolari took part in the Targa Florio and Coppa Ciano. Consequently, the German Grand Prix was not Rudi’s first win of the season. He had earlier triumphed at the Eifelrennen (May 30th); Kesselberg Hillclimb and Lemberg GP in Poland.
There were two hillclimbs in which both appeared, although Mark did not mention them. Yet in those days hillclimbs were major events and highly competitive, often attracting the best Grand Prix drivers. The first was the Klausen Pass where Rudi annihilated all comers in his P3. Nuvolari was first in the 3000cc sportscar class and sixth overall. The second hillclimb was Stelvio in Italy where Tazio and Rudi, respectively, gave best to Hans Stuck’s Mercedes.
Counting GPs, sportscar races and hillclimbs, Rudi won nine events outright in 1932 to Tazio’s seven. Simon Davis, St Albans, Hertfordhsire
Space restrictions meant that I concentrated on the core circuit events, but Mr Davis makes an interesting point about the hillclimbs. Mr Venables’ version of the team-orders scenario goes against Enzo Ferrari’s account, which I followed, but it certainly fits the facts better. Perhaps a little Ferrari artistic licence played its part there… — MH