We all know valentino balboni as the test driver and pr master for lamborghini, but back in the early days most lamborghini were test driven. Apr 18, 2020 the ride was named after test driver valentino balboni, and it was a rearwheeldrive that entered the lamborghini line and impressed longtime fans and new ones alike. Lamborghinis polo storico division restores oneoff miura svr this iconic miura was modeled after lamborghinis test driver bob wallaces stripped down. What does it take to become a car test driver at lamborghini. The sickest special edition lamborghinis of all time.
Hes tuned many famous peoples exotic cars in beverly hills. He is so important to the company that lamborghini honoured his career with a specialedition gallardo lp 5502 valentino balboni pictured below introduced in 2009 or about a year after his retirement. Valentino balboni, lamborghinis longtime test driver, says more than a. Named after the famous lamborghini test driver valentino balboni, the new gallardo lp 5502 is essentially a rearwheel drive version of lamborghinis allwheel drive lp 5604. His 2015 biography is titled the best job in the world. Drako gte electric supercar gets a shakedown with former lamborghini test driver. Aug 16, 2017 for those in the supercar world, alex hirschi is a name to be reckoned with, but most people outside dubai have no idea who she is. The legendary test driver is not afraid to get the super suv dirty. Paul klink driven by famed test driver valentino balboni in a. On the occasion of its delivery, the car was also exhibited at japans nakayama circuit. During our test the gt500 was quicker than the dodge challenger hellcat redeye in the quartermile test, hitting 150 mph in 15. The first lamborghini test driver was actually a new zealander.
And, from 1987 until 2001, he held the record for most grand prix victories in history. Lamborghinis most famous test driver on what makes the countach so thrilling valentino balboni test drove every car lamborghini built. I did upgrades that will make a good driver appreciate it. For those in the supercar world, alex hirschi is a name to be reckoned with, but most people outside dubai have no idea who she is. Famed lamborghini test driver valentino balboni loves porsches. Befitting a man who spent most of his life developing fast cars, the lp5502. The lamborghini of crossover suvs just crossed over as a. Aptly named for a famous fighting bull, the murcielago combines modern sophistication and brute force with a potent 6. Ferrari and lamborghini museum and gt cars test drive day trip from milan feel the rush of driving a ferrari, lamborghini or maserati gt car on the road.
To pay tribute to him in occasion of his retirement. Aug 27, 2016 having fun in a lamborghini aventador lp700 roadster being driven by world famous famed lamborghini test driver mr valentino balboni. Following his departure from lamborghini, wallace and his wife settled in phoenix, arizona. Lamborghini splits in half after hitting tree in encino. Valentino balboni worked at lamborghini for about 40 years and was the companys chief test driver for many years, during which he drove just about all of sant agata bolognese s raging bulls. Jun 22, 2018 in fact, this miura with engine number 2511 and body number 383 was born as an s model finished in verde miura green with black interior, and was originally delivered to a lamborghini dealer in.
A lamborghini trainer copilot will assist you, teach you, and allow you to fully experience all the horsepower that this lamborghini gallardo has to offer. In fact, this miura with engine number 2511 and body number 383 was born as an s model finished in verde miura green with black interior, and was originally delivered to a lamborghini dealer in. Befitting a man who spent most of his life developing fast cars, the lp5502 valentino balboni was a car built for serious drivers. We do not sell cars or parts, the lamborghini name. Neither this site nor my email is associated with the automobili lamborghini holding spa, is a noncommercial enthusiast website. Created to test a drivers skills and facilitate a complete immersion into the world of super sports car racing, this actionpacked event is worldrenowned for its highspeed rush. The reality is it might spend 8 hours on an oval driving at 30mph. I got a note the other day that valentino balboni would be in town this week for an annual lamborghini rally with gotham dream cars. Hes the kind of guy who spends his days behind the wheel of a 350 kmh car and has been featured on television shows like top gear.
Famous lamborghini test driver bob wallace passed away. Lamborghini squadra corse announces the 2017 factory drivers. Following the 1963 racing season, wallace was hired by lamborghini at the. Audi ag acquired lamborghini in 1998 and replaced the diablo with the murcielago in 2001. I am including cars which you can get fresh of the showroom, the ones u can buy from another lamborghini ownerif he is willing to give it away and some u can onl. Driving a ferrari or a lamborghini is the dream of many. Dec 21, 2018 at the center of the hubbub is a twinturbocharged, 4. The force of the collision caused the lamborghini to lose control, colliding with trees and causing it to split, ejecting the male driver. The roundabout dedicated to the lamborghini test driver bob wallace was inaugurated in 2015 in santagata bolognese. Valentino balboni driving lamborghini miura svj w ansa. Valentino balboni drives lamborghini countach walter wolf. Jan 23, 2019 the legendary test driver is not afraid to get the super suv dirty. I guess youre thinking about hooning around in expensive, fast, cars.
Oct 16, 20 the restored riva aquarama sports two lamborghini 4. An icon in automotive history has passed away on thursday, september 19. But one model stands out a special edition built to honor lamborghini test driver valentino balboni. Lamborghinis longtime chief test driver, valentino balboni, tells how he landed a dream job wheeling supercars. Jan 07, 2020 during our test the gt500 was quicker than the dodge challenger hellcat redeye in the quartermile test, hitting 150 mph in 15. Legendary test driver reflects on a life of lamborghinis. This is pilota lamborghini, the most elite driving program only a select few can conquer. While most of us will only dream about this, lamborghinis test driver giorgio sanna gives us a day in his life. Instagram photos of lamborghinis that are too sick to ignore. May 09, 2017 previously answered answer to which is the best super car in lamborghini series. Watch lamborghinis urus get dirty with brands famous test. Valentino balboni, the man formerly in charge of tracking lamborghinis for a living, had good things to say about.
Lamborghinis most famous test driver on what makes the countach so thrilling. He retired in october 2008 due to italian government work regulations, after having served the company for 40 years. May, 2019 lamborghini s polo storico division restores oneoff miura svr this iconic miura was modeled after lamborghini s test driver bob wallaces stripped down miura p400 jota race car. At the center of the hubbub is a twinturbocharged, 4. To say cheerio to celebrated test driver and engineer valentino balboni, lambo binned the gallardos front. If anyone could find driving a lamborghini to be unremarkable, its former company test driver valentino balboni. Lambos chassis engineer and test driver extraordinaire bob wallace had his own ideas though, building the jota in his spare time as a what if project. Watch lamborghini test driver valentino balboni take the urus off. The second test driver of lamborghini was valentino balboni shown in the middle, btw thats a silver bizzarrini gt 5300 strada. The italian gathering will celebrate its 10th year with one of the biggest names in lamborghini. May 28, 2012 ive filmed the famous lamborghini test driver valentino balboni driving an amazing lamborghini miura svj fitted with very loud ansa exhaust. Experience the ultimate adventure for dream car lovers. Alain prost is the most famous french race car driver of all time.
Bob wallace 1938 19 september 20 was a new zealand test driver, automotive engineer. It was the first rearwheel drive lambo in over a decade. Jan 23, 2019 valentino balboni worked at lamborghini for about 40 years and was the companys chief test driver for many years, during which he drove just about all of santagata bologneses raging bulls. Wallace left lamborghini in 1975, following ferruccio lamborghini s sale of the company in 1974. Lamborghini fully restores miura svr and its dropdead. Its no wonder hes ended up as lamborghinis chief test driver and driving instructor. Retired test driver and brand ambassador valentino balboni will help roll out the 2015 italian. Drako gte electric supercar gets a shakedown with former. To pay tribute to him in occasion of his retirement, lamborghini had labeled a 2009 edition to the. In the video you can hear 3 start up of the car that. Few people so beautifully epitomize the history and heritage of lamborghini quite like valentino balboni.
Ive filmed the famous lamborghini test driver valentino balboni driving an amazing lamborghini miura svj fitted with very loud ansa exhaust. Balboni served as the companys chief test driver for 40 years up until his retirement. Watch lamborghinis urus get dirty with brands famous. The 10 greatest race car drivers of all time goliath. Ferrari and lamborghini museum and gt cars test drive day. The test drive is on the on the track modena autodrome and on road routes ferrari road test drive around maranello, lamborghini road test drive around s. Having fun in a lamborghini aventador lp700 roadster being driven by world famous famed lamborghini test driver mr valentino balboni. Watch famed test driver valentino balboni take the lamborghini urus offroad. The kyosho svr, in particular, has achieved legendary status among collectors, since it depicts one of the most astonishing lamborghinis ever built, the miura svr. Balboni served as the companys chief test driver for. The 67yearold who started as a lamborghini mechanic, then spent the next 40 years as the exotic car companys chief test driver, just kicked off a brand new project.
Bob wallace 1938 19 september 20 was a new zealand test driver, automotive engineer and mechanic, best known for his role in developing early lamborghini road cars. The restored riva aquarama sports two lamborghini 4. Famous lamborghini test driver bob wallace passed away the. Retirement presents dont come much better than this. A fourtime formula one champion, prost has the second most f1 titles of all time. May 16, 2019 the force of the collision caused the lamborghini to lose control, colliding with trees and causing it to split, ejecting the male driver.
Lamborghini gallardo lp 5502 valentino balboni official. Valentino balboni test drove every car lamborghini built for 40 years. Robert bob wallace, a historical lamborghini test driver. Lamborghinis most famous test driver on what makes the. I started in 1985 at lamborghini, so 32 years ago, and i became a test driver in 1993. Lamborghini test driver valentino balboni on the worlds. Car and driver balboni described a rarely seen side to not only lamborghini the company but also the people and. Paul klink driven by famed test driver valentino balboni. Lamborghini testdriver balboni to attend italian gathering. Hre 201 wheels, bmc filters, and as the pics show, rare valentino balboni exhaust famous lamborghini test driver for 45 years titanium 8 pound exhaust. Valentino balboni worked at lamborghini for about 40 years and was the companys chief test driver for many years, during which he drove just about all of santagata bologneses raging bulls. Smeyers, mark 23 september 20, famous lamborghini test driver bob wallace passed away, lambocars. You will visit the famous lamborghini museum and the lamborghini factory in santagata bolognese. Aug 30, 2016 the 67yearold who started as a lamborghini mechanic, then spent the next 40 years as the exotic car companys chief test driver, just kicked off a brand new project.
To pay tribute to him in occasion of his retirement, lamborghini had labeled a 2009 edition to the gallardo lineup, the lp5502. Wallace left lamborghini in 1975, following ferruccio lamborghinis sale of the company in 1974. Our lamborghini huracan test drive is the perfect opportunity to experience one of the topperforming lamborghinis. Nov 16, 2018 the companys longtime test driver worked directly with founder ferruccio lamborghini and has firsthand knowledge about the rivalry between his former boss and the mighty enzo ferrari. Feb 26, 2020 drako gte electric supercar gets a shakedown with former lamborghini test driver. Valentino balboni born may 1949 is the former chief test driver of lamborghini, a manufacturer of sports cars in italy. In october 2015 in santagata bolognese was officially inaugurated the roundabout dedicated to robert bob wallace, famous tester, technician and creator, and one of the most amazing lamborghini models of the 60s and 70s.
Factory drivers represent the top of the pyramid around which lamborghini squadra corse builds its strategy to train and support new motorsport talents. The ride was named after test driver valentino balboni, and it was a rearwheeldrive that entered the lamborghini line and impressed longtime fans and new ones alike. During concorso deleganza villa deste 2016 i had the opportunity to talk to valentino balboni, the famous lamborghini test driver, about the lamborghini co. Being a test driver for lamborghini or any other car company, isnt what you seem to be imagining. Car and driver magazines road test of the lamborghini gallardo an italian bull with german horse sense. Ferrari test drive lamborghini test drive italian factory. The names of the new members of the young driver program for youngers under the age of 26 competing in the lamborghini super trofeo onemake series and of the gt3 junior program for drivers. Aug 21, 2015 the italian gathering will celebrate its 10th year with one of the biggest names in lamborghini. He is so important to the company that lamborghini honoured his career with a specialedition gallardo lp 5502 valentino balboni pictured below. Agata bolognese designed to ensure a pleasant and safe driving. Valentino balboni drives the iconic lamborghini countach. The most famous nonsvj miura, the sv was presented in.
Jun 22, 2017 lamborghini s most famous test driver on what makes the countach so thrilling valentino balboni test drove every car lamborghini built for 40 years. Subsequently, valentino balboni took over as chief test driver. Jul 23, 2017 few people so beautifully epitomize the history and heritage of lamborghini quite like valentino balboni. Lamborghini polo storico has completed restoration of one of the most famous miuras ever built. Lamborghini fully restores miura svr and its dropdead gorgeous. Named after the famous lamborghini test driver valentino balboni, the new gallardo lp 5502 is essentially a rearwheel drive version of lamborghini s allwheel drive lp 5604.