Quinta de Boa Vista

Quinta de Boa Vista is a picturesque park in Rio de Janeiro’s São Cristóvão district which first held races before World War II. A 1.025-mile layout that passed in front of the palace that was once the residence of the King of Portugal was used in 1946. Brazil’s best known driver Chico Landi drove his regular Alfa Romeo 308 to beat the visiting Italian Maseratis on 15 December 1946 after lapping the field twice. The circuit was extended for the following year’s race with was a national affair. Local resident Benedicto Lopes (Maserati 4CM) edged “Gino Bianco” (6C-34) by 0.8sec after both had been delayed by incidents. Juan Manuel Fangio won in February 1952 despite his Ferrari 166 being stuck in fifth gear.