Miller 250cc & Nello Pagani - Rudge – Circuito del Lario 1934 - racing photo

Description

A superb and rare photo of the
1934 250cc Miller racing motorcycle
with the Italian racing ace
Nello Pagani
, just before the start of the
1934
edition of the
250cc
class of the famous
Circuito del Lario race
.
The
Miller motorcycle factory
was located in the Italian city of
Milan
. It was once a great yet relatively small motorcycle brand that scored incredible racing successes and broke some impressive world records in the 1920s and 1930s. The factory was run by sig. Ernsesto Balsamo, an Italian motorcycle engineer of great fame; hence why the factory also was known under the name
Miller-Balsamo
. Though Miller was an Italian based factory, they used primarily English motorcycle engines for their machines. Especially
Rudge Whitworth
engines were very popular with Miller. An excellent choice, as
Rudge was very well known for their incredible
innovations
in
engine
and
transmission
design
, and off course for their incredible racing successes. Their sales motto was "Rudge it, do not trudge it." The Miller 250 on the photo is equipped with a
Rudge 250cc racing engine
. This was a very sophisticated and very powerful engine for the time.
Cirillo “
Nello
“
Pagani
had an active racing career that spanned almost 30 years, from 1928 to 1955. He was born in
1911 in
the Northern Italian city of
Milan
. He became the first 125cc World Champion in the inaugural 1949 campaign. He almost became a double Champion in that first year of the World Championship series, finishing second in the 500cc class behind Les Graham on the AJS Porcupine. The series was run over six rounds with a rider's best 3 scores counting towards the championship. Englishman Les Graham on an AJS, was Pagani's main rival. Although Pagani scored more overall points than Graham, he lost the championship with two wins and a third place as his scores that counted, whilst Graham had two wins and a second. Pagani's car racing exploits resulted in wins at the Grand Prix de Pau in 1947 and 1948. He also started in the 1950 Swiss Formula One – F1 – Grand Prix on
June 4, 1950
. He rode the Scuderia Achille Varzi Maserati 4CL T / 48 racing car, finishing in seventh place. He also finished fourth in the Modena Grand Prix that year.
The famous Italian
Circuito
del
Lario
roadrace was an extremely heavy race which was organized between 1921 and 1939.
The circuit consisted of public roads which were closed during the race.
The Circuito del Lario was located between the two legs of the mountainous
Lake
Como
in
Northern Italy
.
Its nickname the “ Italian T.T.” was definitely deserved. The circuit was no less then
22.7 miles
(
36.5 km
) long and counted a mind blowing amount of 300 curves! Of those
300, a
total of 50 were hairpins since also the famous Ghisallo mountain pass is part of the track!
The height difference between the lowest and the highest point of the circuit is
1,805 feet
(
550 metres
).
To cover that difference, the riders and the bikes have to cross besides the mountainous hairpins, also the many longer and shorter curves combined with shorter and longer straights.
And all of that combined with a gruelingly poor road surface.
This non period photo reflects a very interesting and historic piece of motorcycling, Miller and Rudge history. Therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 8.3" (ca. 20 x
21 cm
).
Shipping costs will only be $ 7.00 regardless of how many photos you buy.   For 5 or more photos, shipping is free!
(Note: A. Herl, Inc. does not appear on photo, for ebay purposes only)
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files
and board backed envelopes.
We have photographs that came from professional collections and/or were bought from the original photographer or press studio! They are all of professional and excellent quality.
After many decades of professionally collecting photographs and posters we are clearing out our archives. They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
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