Havana el Malecon

Cuba’s military dictator Fulgencio Batista decided that international motor racing on the streets of Havana would help attract tourists in 1957. A non-championship sports car race was organised for 25 February on a bumpy temporary course centred on the seaside Malecón boulevard. World champion Juan Manuel Fangio won and attracted the pre-race headlines for very different reasons a year later. He was kidnapped by pro-Fidel Castro rebels, although he was released without harm after the race proceeded without him. Unfortunately, that was a tragic affair for Armando Garcia Cifuentes crashed into the crowd after six laps, killing seven onlookers and causing it to be red flagged. The 1959 event was cancelled due to the revolution with Batista deposed. Another international event was organised in Havana in 1960 on the nearby Camp Freedom airfield.