#PietroLaureatiIvanhoe

Marquis Pietro Laureati hailed from an illustrious lineage, tracing back to a 400-year-old aristocratic dynasty in the Marche region of central Italy. He epitomized the true amateur, engaging in racing for personal fulfillment, yet garnering acclaim in hillclimb and sportscar competitions. His racing endeavors spanned over three decades. Born in Grottammare, in the province of Ascoli Piceno, Italy, in 1922, Pietro Laureati spent the majority of his life in the quaint town of San Benedetto del Tronto, also in the province of Ascoli Piceno. By profession, he was a construction engineer and served as President of the local Azienda di Soggiorno (Tourist Office) for more than 20 years, starting in the early 1960s. His father, Captain Giulio Laureati, was a notable figure, being the first aviator to complete a non-stop flight from Turin to London in 1917 and also a pioneering racing driver. Captain Giulio Laureati competed in various road races in Italy in the early 1900s, including the Padova-Bovolenta, driving a three-wheeler DeDion-Bianchi. Following in his father's footsteps, Pietro Laureati commenced his racing career in his twenties. Racing served as a recreational pursuit for him, albeit one at which he excelled. Occasionally racing under the pseudonym "Ivanhoe," he participated in five editions of the Mille Miglia between 1951, where he secured the 88th place with E. Troiani in a Fiat 1100, and 1957, achieving second in class and 21st place overall in an Alfa Romeo Giulietta SV. Additionally, he competed in nine editions of the Targa Florio, debuting in 1956, where he clinched his class victory and secured 14th place overall with Pietro Pelloni as his co-driver in his Alfa Romeo Giulietta SV. In 1964, he claimed another class win, finishing 17th overall alongside Secondo Ridolfi in an Abarth-Simca 1300 Bialbero. His final entry in the demanding 72-kilometer (44.7-mile) Madonie Piccolo Circuito was in 1974 at the age of 52, where he shared a works Abarth-Osella PA2 sportscar with "Gianfranco," although the car failed to start the race. During the 1950s, Laureati piloted various cars, including an Alfa Romeo 1900TI, a Renault 4CV, and an Osca MT4. Notably, in 1954, he achieved an impressive fourth-place finish overall in the 10 Hours of Messina, sharing an Alfa Romeo 2000 Super Sport with Piero Carini. In the mid-1960s, his prowess behind the wheel of his Abarth-Simca 1300 Bialbero led to notable success in several World Sportscar Championship races, including the Targa Florio, the 1000 Km of Monza, and the 1000 Km of the Nürburgring.

We'll publish a biography on him on the occasion of his anniversary or when it will be reached a sufficient number of cars.

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