Ralph DePalma

Born in Biccari in the region of Apulia to Italian parents, Ralph DePalma emigrated to the USA as a child. He soon developed an interest in motor racing and competed in motorbike races from 1906. Two years later, the highly talented DePalma switched to car racing, and success came immediately. In the 1908 season, he already won numerous races and set various records. However, the biggest victories still lay ahead of the young Italian, who was respected by colleagues as well as fans for his sportsmanship on and off the track.

When he started using Mercedes racing cars in 1912, the most successful part of his spectacular career began. Twice, in 1912 and 1914, he emerged victorious from the prestigious and highly remunerated Vanderbilt Cup races, regularly engaging in nail-biting duels with his rival Barney Oldfield. Probably the most exciting of these duels was fought in the 1914 Vanderbilt Cup. Here, in addition to his driving skills, superior racing tactics and his "Grey Ghost" racing car, a grey-painted racing car based on the Mercedes 37/90 hp, led to victory.

A year later, he competed in the legendary Indianapolis 500 miles and crossed the finish line first at the wheel of a 1914 Mercedes Grand Prix racing car. DePalma did not end his unprecedented career, which spanned a quarter of a century, until 1933. By then, by his own account, he had contested a total of 2889 races, of which he had won no fewer than 2557.