STORY OF THE DAY: A Ferrari One-Two Through the Ardennes

Piero Taruffi and Guido D’Ippolito finished second in the 24 Hours of Spa on 10 July 1932, driving the number 40 Scuderia Ferrari Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 MM. They covered approximately 2,681.7 kilometres at an average of 111.73 km/h. Teammates Antonio Brivio and Eugenio Siena won in the sister number 38 Alfa, giving Scuderia Ferrari a commanding one-two finish.

The defining feature was the team’s control of a full day and night on the fast, hazardous Spa-Francorchamps road circuit. Taruffi and D’Ippolito completed roughly 104 kilometres fewer than the winners but remained ahead of Earl Howe and Tim Birkin’s third-placed 8C. Maintaining two cars at the front demonstrated both the performance of the machinery and the Scuderia’s rapidly developing endurance-racing organization.

The 8C 2300 MM was powered by Vittorio Jano’s supercharged 2,336 cc straight-eight with twin overhead camshafts. Its engine used two four-cylinder blocks and a central gear train, while the road-racing chassis combined rigid axles with large drum brakes and light open bodywork. Strong acceleration and sustained high-speed ability made the MM specification particularly suitable for Spa’s long straights and sweeping bends.

Piero Taruffi was an Italian engineer, motorcycle racer and versatile automobile driver who later became famous for record attempts and major road-race victories. Guido D’Ippolito was an Italian road-racing specialist and regular early Scuderia Ferrari competitor. Taruffi’s analytical approach and D’Ippolito’s experience on demanding public-road circuits formed a balanced partnership for the relentless rhythm of a 24-hour race.