Franco Cortese

Franco Cortese ( born February 10, 1903 in Oggebbio; † 13 November 1986) was an Italian racing driver.

The Italian Franco Cortese was one of those drivers whose skill repeatedly flashed, which were great successes but failed. His domain was long distance races ( no other driver is so often at the Mille Miglia started like him). In 1940 he started with Conte Giovanni Lurani on a BMW 328 (comb sedan ) at the Mille Miglia. In the circuit races, he was mostly on Voiturettes and after the Second World War to Formula 2 cars on the road.

1926 began his career, the long years with Enzo Ferrari remained connected. His best results include a second place in the 24- hour race at Le Mans in 1932 and also a second place at the Mille Miglia 1933. 1937-1939 he played Voiturette race at Maserati and won, among others, in Varese and Modena in 1938.

After the Second World War he joined Enzo Ferrari and its Scuderia again and in 1947 was the first rider to celebrate a victory on a Ferrari ( at the Grand Prix of Rome). With a Frazer - Nash, he won the 1951 Targa Florio. Several Formula 2 race still followed sports car racing until the mid- 1950s, before he retired and got in the car accessories business.

Le Mans results

• Racers (Italy )
• Drivers in the 24 Hours of Le Mans
• World Sports Car Championship racer
• GP rider before 1950
• Italian
• Born in 1903
• Died in 1986
• Man