This week in motor sport from the Archive and Database 

December 19

1882: Indy hero Ralph de Palma is born. In profile

1905: Debonair Italian ‘Jonny’ Lurani is born. In profile

1923: Onofre Marimón, a rising Argentinian star before his death, is born. In profile

2008: South African F1 racer Sam Tingle dies at the age of 87. In profile 

December 20

1968: Karl Wendlinger is born. In profile

December 21

1921: The only man to enter two Grands Prix with different names, Günther Bechem is born. In profile

1935: Sixties star Lorenzo Bandini is born. In profile

December 22

1905: “Pierre Levegh” is born. In profile

1934: NASCAR champ David Pearson is born. In profile

December 23

1956: The likeable Michele Alboreto is born. In profile

1962: Bertrand Gachot, who inadvertently gave Michael Schumacher his break, is born. In profile

1985: Prince Bira dies of a heart attack at Baron’s Court station. In profile

December 24

1941: Howden Ganley is born. In profile

1949: F5000 racer Warwick Brown is born. In profile

December 25

1934: Giancarlo Baghetti, winner on Grand Prix debut, is born. In profile

1943: Wilson Fittipaldi is born. In profile