Tazio Giorgio Nuvolari was born in Castel d’Ario (MN) on 16th November 1892, to Arturo and Emma Elisa Zorzi, landowners.

His lack of inclination for studies was compensated by his interest in sports and competition, which he inherited from his father and uncle Joseph, both nationally and internationally renowned cyclists. It was together with them that he attended his first motor race, immediately becoming passionate about speed and engines.

After two years from the military draft, he was called to arms during World War I, being employed as a driver of various vehicles. Discharged in 1917 due to the onset of tuberculosis, he did not want to join his father in the family farm business, choosing instead to take up car and motorcycle sales with his uncle.

Precisely for economic reasons, he began to devote himself to racing, first on two wheels, immediately beginning to collect successes and awards. Not surprisingly, the press called him “il campionissimo” of motorcycling, recognizing his boldness and readiness to ride quite out of the ordinary.

Slowly, and with initial effort, he entered the world of motor racing, which he long preferred, founding-in the winter of 1927-28-the Scuderia Nuvolari, in Mantua. However, the decisive turning point in his career came in 1930, thanks to Alfa Romeo. That same year, he then switched to the Ferrari stable, where victories were not long in coming, making him one of the most well-known and sought-after figures in social circles as well.

The years between 1930 and 1939 were its golden age, studded with victories and successes together with the German brands Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union.

Then, slowly, the decline began: advancing age, grief related to the untimely loss of his two sons, numerous injuries, some failures… he ran his last race in April 1950, but never announced his retirement from the sporting world.

He died in Mantua on 11th August 1953.

You can consult the birth certificate on the Ancestors Portal: Archivio di Stato di Mantova > Stato civile italiano sino al 1900 > Castel d’Ario > 1892

The original is preserved at theState Archives of Mantua. This institution also houses the Tazio Nuvolari fund, bb. 66 (20th cent.).

For more on the figure of Giorgio Tazio Nuvolari, see the entry of the Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani edited by Gianni Cancellieri.