Iván Palazzese

Iván Palazzese
Nationality Venezuela Venezuelan
Born 2 January 1962
Died 28 May 1989 (aged 27)
Hockenheim, Germany
Motorcycle racing career statistics
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Active years1977 - 1989
First race1977 125cc Venezuelan Grand Prix
Last race1989 250cc German Grand Prix
First win1982 125cc Swedish Grand Prix
Last win1982 125cc Finnish Grand Prix
Team(s)Morbidelli, Yamaha, Aprilia
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
69 2 9 1 2 239

Iván Palazzese (2 January 1962 28 May 1989) was an Italian born Venezuelan professional motorcycle racer. He competed in the Grand Prix road racing world championships from 1977 to 1989.[1] In 1977, he became the youngest person at the time to stand on a Grand Prix podium, when he finished third behind Angel Nieto and Anton Mang at the 125cc Venezuelan Grand Prix at the age of 15.[2]

Palazzese had his best year in 1982 when he won two 125cc Grands Prix and finished the season in third place, behind Angel Nieto and Eugenio Lazzarini.[1] He was killed in a racing accident at the 1989 German Grand Prix at the Hockenheimring.[3] Palazzese was closely following Andreas Preining when the latter's motorcycle engine seized and abruptly slowed, causing Palazzese to collide with Preining and subsequently crashed.[3] While Palazzese was picking himself up off the ground, he was struck by riders Bruno Bonhuil and Fabio Barchitta who both crashed.[3] It was fellow rider Virginio Ferrari who stopped his bike and first came to Palazzese's aid, but Palazzese was already dead having sustained massive chest injuries.[3][4] He was 27 years old.

There is a monument erected in his honor in the Italian city of Alba Adriatica, where Palazzese was born.(Photo of the monument).

Motorcycle Grand Prix Results[1]

Year Class Classification Machine Victories
1977 125cc 16th Morbidelli 0
1980 125cc 7th Yamaha 0
1981 125cc 7th Yamaha 0
1982 125cc 3rd Morbidelli 2
1983 250cc 13th Yamaha 0
1984 250cc 15th Yamaha 0
1985 250cc - Yamaha 0
1986 250cc - Yamaha 0
1987 250cc 16th Yamaha 0
1988 250cc 18th Yamaha 0
1989 250cc 22nd Aprilia 0

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Ivan Palazzese". MotoGP.com. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  2. 50 Years Of Moto Grand Prix. (1999)(1st Ed). Hazelton Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-874557-83-7
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Iván Palazzese at Motorsport Memorial". motorsportmemorial.org. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
  4. "Motorcycling". The Glasgow Herald. May 29, 1989. p. 19.