The Argentine Temporada Motor Races 1950 to 1960

Book excerpt: The annual Temporada (racing season) created a transition in Argentine motor sport. In earlier years racing circuits were primarily on rough tracks, with cars designed to cope with poor surfaces. Lacking the resources or technology needed to create bespoke circuits, Argentina looked to create racing venues from what it already had: public paved parks. After WWII, the Temporadas were organised in the Torreon in Mar del Plata, Parque Independencia in Rosario, Palermo, Constanera and Retiro in Buenos Aires, and Sarmiento in Cordoba. Thanks to these races, held in public parks and on public roads, Argentina began to be seen as a potential destination for a Formula 1 Grand Prix and for a round of the world sports car championship, the Beunos Aires 1000km. The circuits hosted the likes of Villoresi, Varzi, Farina, Wimille, Ascari, Moss and Prince Bira, and arguably taught Juan Manuel Fangio how to drive race cars. Wonderfully illustrated with 220 contemporary photographs, including many that have never been published before: images that will take you back in time, to the unique atmosphere of top motorsport in South America from 1950 to 1960.