The postwar era of Grand Prix racing was notable for the high number of Italian racers killed in accidents. Yet little attention has been paid to the role of racing “martyrs.” This presentation will examine how the Italian Fascist regime presented dead drivers as martyrs to several causes.
These causes were (1) the progress of national industry; (2) the triumph of Italian sporting achievements on an international scale, and (3) Fascism’s project of building a new civilization based on speed and daring. As Dr. Baxa will argue, inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche’s dictum to “live dangerously,” the Fascist regime turned tragedies into transcendent moments.
Bio
Paul Baxa is Professor of History at Ave Maria University in Florida. Parts of his most recent book, Motorsport and Fascism: Living Dangerously have been presented at past Argetsinger Symposia. He was privileged to have presented at the first symposium in 2015.
Slides
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This episode is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family – and was recorded in front of a live studio audience. And has been Edited, Remastered and Produced in partnership with the Motoring Podcast Network.
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