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Show Automobile Racing Very Popular Pastime in Italy According to a report Issued by the Italy-America society, automobile racing rac-ing at break-neck speed Is a major sport in Italy, rivaling even soccer In popularity. Thousands of fans see the races held in all parts of the country, particularly near Milan, where the "Monza classic," world-famous. Is an annual treat Recently the best machines ma-chines and the fastest drivers In Italy took part In a thousand-mile race, which was won by Campari, Italian champion. Campari scored an average aver-age of TO miles an hour, not on a race track, but on country roads a reaj record when one considers the handicaps and the obstacles In this type of racing. The Monxa classic Is open to foreigners for-eigners as well as to Italians, but the latter have been winning so consistently consist-ently that foreign entries are becoming becom-ing fewer and fewer each year. Campari Cam-pari ha won the national champion ship twice and Is easily the best road racer In the world. A few year ago he won the Grand Prix at Lyon, beating beat-ing the most fumous of bis European competitor. Italy 1 fast becoming a sporting nation. Besides auto and bike racing, soccer, basket ball and track, another anoth-er rapidly-growing snort Is boxing, v A recent national championship drew 6.V 000 fans. Italian boys make splendid fighters as Americans well know. They have stamina, speed and courage. cour-age. The Italian public, youthful, vigorous vig-orous and enterprising, loves the ele. ment of contest. It Is an inheritance from the days of old, when Romans packed the Coliseum and made nu-tlonal nu-tlonal heroes of their athletes. Sure ly it is a good sign. |