Franco Martinel

[mark_d]

For those that aren’t on social media, I am saddened to report that Franco passed away yesterday.

Here he is with Des Founds

[dick tapken]

another one of the really nice guy's that did this sport of our's ,r.i.p franco a pleasure to have known you a true gentleman and friend.

[fish]

Such sad news. Our 'favourite Italian' - such a gentle man and a good friend to many in the paddocks of Europe. Remembering all the good times.

[lang]

Franco was a true gentleman, always willing to help a fellow competitor. His skill on the track was also matched by his ability to build some of the best outfits seen on the circuits- he had natural Italian style and flair.
RIP Franco, you will be sorely missed.

[Fanch]

Very sad to read that.
Great guy, Franco.

[camiel]

The news makes us very sad. We are very glad to have known him.
He always had a big smile and I'm glad I could help him out one summer in Gedinne. He will always be my favorite Italian.
Simone & Camiel

[Fritz]

Sad to hear the big man has passed away he was much loved by all of the English sidecar competitors and supporters.
I met Franco through my association with Dez and Team Founds and was his passenger on a number of occasions both here and in Europe.

I believe he was a Taxi driver in his home city of Turin and once Dez and family got to know him better and his english improved he was able to take english speaking visitors on tours of the sights and sounds of Turin.

Franco got into racing on solos and in his early career and at one stage finished in one of the Italian championships behind a chap called G Agostini, he later moved on to sidecars to give himself the chance to travel and race in Europe and his dream to race at the IOM TT.

Apparently after Franco's first visit to the TT he packed and went home after the first sidecar race as no one had explained the their were two races to have a go at, this was when Dez got involved and made sure Franco understood everything that he needed to know from then on.
Franco would quite often travel from Italy alone to any given race meeting and more often than not if Team Founds where heading the other way they would recruit a passenger for him, the ones I can remember other than the Founds lads were Steve Knowles ,Guy Scott, Tony Darby, and Tony Wilde.
If no one was travelling from the UK he would request one on his entry form.

Franco lived in a part of Italy which was in the heartland of motorsport engineering and knew lots of people who he would disscus his ideas with and with their help would incorporate suggestions and materials which may not have been readily to him otherwise.
For example he had a rose joint on his suspension which was similar to those used on a helicopter and his brake pedal on his short bike was once a titanium suspension rod as used in F1 circles.

Many years ago he built his own version of Monocoque LWB Worm with a few trick ideas included, I am sure with the help of his engineering friends the rear suspension unit was fitted within the rear monocoque with bell crank levers to make the system smooth and progressive which at the time was different to the system used on the LCR GP machines.

Everyone knew Franco and everyone loved Franco.


I lost touch with him some years ago but know that Dez and family always regarded Franco as part of the family,

RIP Big Man it was nice knowing you.

Regards,

Fritz

[mr.mrs.floppy]

Franco was innovative in his designs, using the Ferrari factory as a base of operations. His bikes were also the loudest on circuit and some of the prettiest.He also has the accolade of being the only true filmstar in the paddock, see the original Italian job.We have shared a passenger, for whom Franco will be forever upon the top step of the podium and many evenings a companion, in story telling and laughing at Dicks bad jokes. A true Gentleman whose style shone through ,even in the toilet queue, with bathrobe, newspaper and sandals.