Models Neko - 1/20 Spirit 101

[steinietrabi]

EMERSON

[atlantakat11]

Per Wiki, Emmo apparently drove this Test car, found it wanting, and went to Indycar instead. Mauro Baldi and Huub Rothengatter (!) split the races.

[JamesB]

Yeah! Us veterans remember the GPI cover and the expectations
As history would prove Disney was there just thanks to Fittipaldi.
The car debuted later with less classy full red paint and small b-burago stickers

Very nice model

[Loeki]

Emmo's short return in F1 was indeed big news at that time...

By the way, the Neko kits are very nice!

[JamesB]

Exactly that

[Alex0077]

Not only Emo was on the wheels
but also Ballabio (may be later for a few weeks?)

Somebody knows the story?

[Jonalfre]

From Wikipedia:
Spirit decided to continue in Formula One for 1984 with Hart turbocharged engines. Initially, twice world champion Emerson Fittipaldi and Italian Fulvio Ballabio were slated to drive, with funding from Ballabio's sponsors. However Fittipaldi left to find a drive in Indycars after finding the machine uncompetitive and Ballabio was refused an FIA Super Licence.

[Jonalfre]

Translation of the first picture of this page:

Already hired by Toleman, Senna participated in tire tests in Jacarepaguá, in the torrid month of January.
The first car (white) is a Spirit-Hart which was tested by Emerson Fittipaldi, who was away from the tracks.
Ayrton was tenth of 22 cars that trained, four seconds faster than his team mate, Johnny Cecotto.
Emerson finished training in 17th position and the hope of driving in formula 1 ended right there, as the car did not demonstrate any competitiveness.

Cheers,
João Alfredo.

[43rdMichael]

“Sport goofy”

Worth building for that decal alone!!

Great project

[Alex0077]

I was sure that Disney came with Ballabio
and Ballabio didn't give up.