Argentine motor racing icon Tito Bessone, aged 67, set to compete once more in TC2000, shattering his father's record of oldest competitor.
Rewritten Article:
Bessone, the Ageless Champion:
At 67 years old, Ernesto "Tito" Bessone, a seasoned racer from Mataderos, is about to make history once more. This coming weekend, he'll be the oldest driver ever to participate in a national competition of this magnitude, surpassing his father's record set back in 1989. Kicking off the TC2000 championship at the Misiones circuit in Oberá, Bessone is set to break new ground.
Bessone, a garage-turned-legend, tested the Next Gen TC2000 Nivus in November 2024, and will be joining forces with 'Halcón Motorsport' this time around, piloting the Volkswagen Nivus number 44. The excitement is palpable as he prepares to return to TC2000 after nearly a decade, a category where he clinched the title in 1996.
"Returning to TC2000 is a massive emotion," Bessone shared. "I lived through the shifting gears from the Renault 18 to the Renault Fuego, and the Ford Taunus to the Ford Sierra, causing a significant uproar in the category. Now, after 40 years, I'm living this radical shift in car models with the arrival of SUVs. It's an honor to be a part of it."
The TC2000 championship is set to unveil the debut of new, powerful 500-horsepower SUVs designed specifically for the category, featuring models from brands like Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota, Fiat, Nissan, and Volkswagen.
As a former professional driver, Bessone hasn't been far from the racing scene. He's been active in the Fiat Competizione monomarca. But now, he's making a comeback to a championship of signature importance like TC2000, where he'll find himself racing alongside champions from various eras. In fact, the grid will boast a champion from each of the last four decades. Bessone himself (1996), Gabriel Ponce de León (2001, 2003, 2005), Matías Rossi (2006, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2020), and Leonel Pernía (2019, 2022, 2023, 2024) will all be vying for the checkered flag.
Leonel Pernía, the reigning champion, warmly welcomed Bessone's return, expressing admiration for the veteran driver. "It's fantastic to have Tito back. What a legend! I'm not sure how old he is, but he's in great shape. He's audacious, Tito, because this is a real racing car. He's going fast. He dared to do it, and that's important. He's an important name in the history of Argentine motorsports. Welcome back!" he emphasized during an interview on Carburando Radio.
Recent reports indicate that, just days before his racing comeback was announced, Bessone showcased the iconic Renault Fuego Coupé that left its mark in the TC2000 of the 80s. Though scorched in a fire and lost for decades, the car was restored by the Medina brothers and returned to the hands of its rightful owner[6]. The Fuego Coupe made history on November 24, 1985, as Bessone became the first to win a TC2000 race with this very car[4].
The TC2000 championship is set to begin on the La Capital del Monte track, with activities spanning both Saturday and Sunday. The schedule includes a shakedown, two practice sessions, a pre-qualification, and a final race on TyC Sports on Sunday[5].
From restoring the Fuego Coupe to racing again...
On Tuesday, April 29, Bessone was thrilled to exhibit the Renault Fuego Coupe, which had been revived thanks to a painstaking restoration job by the Medina brothers, Diego and Marcelo[6]. The sophisticated car, created by Oreste Berta and painted in the striking black and gold colors, was sponsored by a battery brand during Bessone's tenure.
The Fuego Coupe's legacy began on November 24, 1985, as Tito Bessone won the first TC2000 race aboard this iconic vehicle[4]. The car later changed hands, eventually disappearing from public view until journalist Marcelo Mercado clued the Medina brothers in on its whereabouts[6]. In the past few years, the car was fully restored, allowing Bessone to reunite with his historic vehicle. "Restoring these machines connects us with what we are: passionate enthusiasts of motorsports. Our mission is to transmit our passion, which moves mountains," the Medinas noted during the presentation[6].
Sources:
[1] https://www.perrotero.com.ar/balance-inicial-de-la-temporada-para-bessone/[2] https://www.amtdeporte.com/tito-bessone-volver%C3%A1-a-la-tc2000-319660377/[3] https://www.clarin.com/deportes/conductores/plantel-tuvo-periodicamente-difensiones-tito-bessones-regreso-por-65a677!.html[4] https://www.drivery.com/historia-del-renault-fuego-coupe-de-tito-bessone-en-la-tc2000/[5] https://www.amtdeporte.com/tito-bessone-volver%C3%A1-a-la-tc2000-319660377/[6] https://www.amdicho.com/o-tito-bessone-regreso-a-la-tc2000-es-historia/
Enrichment Data:Ernesto "Tito" Bessone, a renowned Argentine racing driver, has a glittering career with victories in the following categories:
1. Turismo Carretera (TC): Winner[1].2. TC2000: Champion (1996)[3], poised for a return in 2025[3][5].3. Turismo Nacional (TN): Winner in the Clase 3/C3 division[1].4. Top Race: Double Champion (two-time winner)[1].
- Tito Bessone's racing career, recognized globally, boasts specialized achievements across multiple categories: at the TC2000, he clinched a title in 1996 and is planning a return in 2025.
- Furthermore, Bessone's political stance in the sporting realm is evident as he is slated to compete against champions from different eras in the TC2000 championship of 2025, with Leonel Pernía, the reigning champion, welcoming his comeback.
- In a remarkable fact, Tito Bessone will be the oldest driver ever to participate in a national competition of TC2000's significance, setting the record that surpasses his father's set back in 1989.
- Factoring in the sports context, the comeback of Bessone, who has been active in the Fiat Competizione monomarca, to a championship of signature importance like TC2000, is significant in that it highlights his perseverance and passion for racing even after decades in the sport.
