Susy Raganelli

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• FULL BIO: Susy Raganelli

   

  Susanna “Susy” Raganelli shattered motorsports history as the only woman to ever win a four-wheel World Championship, claiming the 1966 Karting World Championship in spectacular fashion against an elite field of male competitors.

  EARLY YEARS

  Born on February 21, 1946, in Rome, Italy, Susy grew up immersed in automotive culture thanks to her father Cesare Raganelli, who owned a local Alfa Romeo dealership[1]. This early exposure to high-performance Italian machinery and racing culture provided the perfect launching pad for what would become a groundbreaking motorsports career. The family’s middle-to-upper-middle-class lifestyle, built around the car business, meant that speed and precision weren’t just hobbies—they were part of daily life.

  OTHER INTERESTS

  While her passion for racing dominated her public persona, details about Raganelli’s interests outside motorsports remain largely private, reflecting the era’s tendency to focus solely on her racing achievements rather than her multifaceted personality.

  EARLY SUCCESS

  Raganelli’s karting career exploded onto the scene in 1965 when she captured the Italian 100cc Super championship[1], immediately establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with. That same year, she helped propel Italy to victory in the European Nation’s Championship, proving her talent extended beyond individual glory to team success[1][2]. Her tactical brilliance became legendary—she had an uncanny ability to exploit kart tuning parameters and excel at slow speeds where other drivers struggled, a skill that would prove decisive in her greatest triumph[2].

  NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 1965: Italian 100cc Super Karting Champion[1]
  • 1965: Helped Italy win European Nation’s Championship in karting[1][2]
  • 1966: World Karting Champion in 100cc class—first and only female to win a four-wheel World Championship[1][2][3]
  • 1966: Helped Italy win second consecutive European Nation’s Championship[1]
  • Late 1960s: Competed in Gran Turismo racing with Alfa Romeo, becoming the first Italian buyer of the ultra-rare Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale[1][4]

  INSPIRATIONS

  Her father Cesare’s Alfa Romeo dealership provided both inspiration and opportunity, creating the foundation for her lifelong love affair with Italian motorsports[1]. Later, her relationship with fellow racer Giancarlo Naddeo, whom she eventually married, became a significant influence on both their careers—she even convinced him to retire after a serious accident, demonstrating her impact extended beyond her own racing decisions[1].

  REPUTATION

  Raganelli’s 1966 World Championship victory against elite competitors like Ronnie Peterson, Leif Engström, and Mickey Allen cemented her status as one of motorsports’ most significant pioneers[2][5]. Her tactical mastery was unmatched—she could slow the entire field when it suited her strategy, exploiting technical advantages that other drivers couldn’t recognize[2]. The racing community respected not just her speed, but her intelligence behind the wheel. Alfa Romeo continues to honor her legacy in official tributes to female racers, recognizing her as an iconic figure who broke barriers decades before it became fashionable to celebrate such achievements[4]. No controversies or disputes mar her reputation—just pure, undeniable talent that spoke louder than any criticism.

  FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

  No current information is available regarding Raganelli’s future plans or ongoing involvement in motorsports, particularly following the passing of her husband Giancarlo Naddeo in 2021.

  References:

  Wikipedia article on Susanna Raganelli
  Alan Dove’s Motorsport Saga article
  TKART Magazine editorial
  Alfa Romeo official press release tribute
  YouTube video documentary by Alan Dove