27/10/1944 - 30/9/2000
Record updated 30-Sep-20
Rubén Di Palma was one of the most charismatic drivers in the history of Argentina´s motorsport. His career lasted almost 40 years, racing in many categories as well in Europe, Brazil and USA.
Rubén Di Palma was one of the most charismatic drivers in the history of Argentina´s motorsport. His career lasted almost 40 years, racing in many categories as well in Europe, Brazil and USA.
He was born in Arrecifes, a town well known in Argentina as "cuna de campeones" (Champions` birthplace) for his long tradition in motorsport. He made his debut in the Turismo Carretera category at age of 19 on the 30th September 1963, and won his first race at his hometown on May 31st the following year.
During his career Di Palma raced more than 600 times and won 101 races, he was Turismo Carretera Champion in 1970 & 1971, Sport Prototipos Champion in 1971 & 1972, Mecánica Argentina F1 Champion in 1974 & 1978, TC 2000 Champion in 1983 and Supercart Champion in 1993.
His last victory was in 1998 at the age of 53. He shared his passion for the motorsport with a passion for flying. In 1985 he took the world record for flying an ultralight plane 5,209 kms in seven days, and in February 1986 he crossed the Cordillera of the Andes in his ultralight plane.
He lost his life when he crashed his helicopter at Carlos Tejedor (Provincia de Buenos Aires), on September 30, 2000.