Direct from the Time Tunnel

by, Rodrigo Mattar, Direto do túnel do tempo (205)

RIO DE JANEIRO - Last Monday, the driver of the yellow car and sponsored by Gledson made another birthday. Alfredo Guaraná Menezes, one of the main names of our motorsport in the 70s and 80s, turned 62 years old.

In this snapshot of the Formula VW 1600 or Super Vee, Guarana comes aboard his Polar, bringing in the glue three other beasts of the category:
Maurício Chulan in the Brahma car,
Marcos Troncon in the colors of Philips and
Antônio Castro Prado , tragically deceased in 1981, with the sponsorship of Balbo.

I'm pretty sure that this photo is from 1977, the year of the first Guaraná title in the category. A native of Division 3, in which he ran with the Beetles of the legendary Autozoom team and also of Amador Pedro's team, Guaraná became known to the public when he accelerated the Kaimann da Marca Famous. He was also sponsored by Vodka Orloff before accelerating the Polar de Gledson with which he was twice champion in 77 and 78.

In Formula 2 Brazil, he won a controversial title with Denim colors in 1981. He also ran Stock Car in the Brazilian Brands and even in Formula Chevrolet, before finally ending his career.

Ah ... and can not forget: Guaraná was 7th in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, racing in a Porsche 935/77 in partnership with Paulão Gomes and Marinho Amaral. At the Guarana club, all our affection and appreciation. For 37 years, straight from the time tunnel.

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About the Author

Rodrigo Mattar, from Rio de Janeiro, age 47. Passionate about motorsport since he was nine, he has been a journalist specializing in motor sports since 1998. He worked at Jornal do Brasil and a communications assistant before joining Rede Globo. In 2003, he went to Sportv, where he was editor of the now extinct Grid Motor and Arrival Lines programs. In the same year, he began his career as a commentator, debuting in a broadcast of a Stock Car race, held at the late Autodromo de Jacarepaguá. Five years ago, he is at Fox Sports, acting as editor and commentator for several categories, including Dakar Rally, NASCAR, MXGP, WTCC, WRC, FIA WEC, IMSA Weather Tech SportsCar Championship, Formula E and Superbike Series Brazil. Leads the blog A Thousand Per Hour, now in the GREAT PRIZE, since 2008.