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Giordano to celebrate 95 years of his family in racing

Giordano Lupini will celebrate a special anniversary aboard his Bullion IT Racing Polo GTI over the weekend of 10-11 December. Lupini will mark 95 years of his family in motor racing when he takes to the grid in the Polo Cup championship finale at Killarney’s G+A Motorsport Festival on Friday and Saturday. The weekend's Polo Cup races were transferred to Killarney this week after the scheduled Kyalami Joburg 9 Hour scheduled last Saturday, was postponed on international travel restrictions.

Giordano's great grandfather Gigi Lupini started his car racing career in 1926, before going on to class success driving a Buick in the ’27 Mille Miglia. Gigi moved to South Africa in the 1930s, where he set up a construction business, before becoming entrenched in the local racing scene. His Scuderia Lupini entered the likes of John Love and Doug Serrurier in Copper-Maseratis,-Porsches and-Bristols in SA F1 races, and a Ferrari and a swarm of Alfa Romeos in the first-ever 9 Hour race at Grand Central.

Giordano’s grandfather Mario shared one of those Alfas, a lightweight Sprint Veloce in that race with Horse Boyden. Brothers Gino and Italo also raced. A successful tin-top racer, Mario later rubbed panels with Arnold Chatz, Basil van Rooyen and other SA legends. He competed in several 9 Hours, at Grand Central and Kyalami. Today his grandad Mario is one of Giordano’s greatest fans.

Gio’s dad Michele, and uncles Paolo and Rico, also made their presence felt on track. Michele enjoyed a successful career, winning race and rally titles primarily in Group N in the ‘80s, 1990s and early 2000s. Although it was a different race to this weekend's 9 Hour race later in the Killarney program on Saturday, Michele, Paolo and Rico also raced several Killarney Group N 9 Hours together over the years. 

Giordano started his title winning career racing karts before progressing to the main circuit. His combative style has earned him a solid reputation, especially among the Killarney faithful. “This is a big weekend for us,” Giordano admitted. “I am truly proud and honoured to be able to celebrate a racing heritage that stretches back four generations and now 95 years. “It's a special privilege to be able to salute this landmark on track.

“Killarney is not just my home track, it’s where both my dad, uncles, grandfather and great uncles raced with great success over the years. “John Love also won the Killarney Van Riebeeck Trophy driving my great-grandad’s Scuderia Lupini Cooper Maserati there 60 years ago in 1961. “Killarney is our second race back with the Bullion IT Polo Cup. "Our objective is simply to take a significant step forward. “We really can’t wait — bring it on!”

Killarney's SA National Volkswagen Polo Cup finals commence with qualifying Friday morning before the first heat on Friday afternoon. The second race runs Saturday morning as part of an entertaining program of special G+A Festival classic races leading up to the the main event. The SA Endurance Championship finale 9 Hour starts midday. A limited number of pre-booked spectators will be allowed access to Killarney. All races will be live streamed via Killarney’s social media.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Giordano Lupini

What:Bullion IT Polo Cup Preview
Where:Killarney International Raceway
When:10-11 December 2021
Community:South Africa National

For further information please contact michele@lupini.co.za

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