With the withdrawal of Mercedes-Benz from motor sport at the end of the 1955 campaign, the World Sports Car Championship turned into an Italian showdown between Ferrari and Maserati.   Maserati, with Stirling Moss and Carlos Menditeguy at the wheel of a 300S, took the season opener at Buenos Aires.  Ferrari stormed back with wins for Fangio and Castellotti in an 860 Monza at Sebring, and Castellotti again in a 290MM at the Mille Miglia.  Round 4 of the championship was at the famed Nordschleife circuit at the Nurburgring.

Once again, the race would come down to the Maserati 300’s piloted by Stirling Moss, Piero Taruffi, Harry Schell and Jean Behra against the works Ferrari 860 Monzas and 290MM’s driven by Phil Hill, Juan Manuel Fangio, Eugenio Castellotti, Olivier Gendebien and Alfonso de Portago.  Unless, the Jaguar D-types and Aston Martin DBR1’s started a ruckus.   Thanks to the Tube of U, we can watch this Raymond Baxter narrated documentary which shows the 50’s racing beauties that we ogled yesterday,  in action today.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heZCj00gs9k&feature=related[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In2n5vHvKW4&feature=related[/youtube]