I have recently learned of the deaths of two overseas TT heroes from years gone by, Guayla Marsovski and Tarquinio Provini.

I'm not old enough to have seen Provini in action (other than in parade laps), but I do remember Marsovski from the late 60s and early 70s. To an impressionable youngster who loved hearing about the TTs of the past, these foreign names always had an especially magical ring to them.

Tarquinio Provini was perhaps best remembered for his performances on the Clypse Course in the 1950s where he specialised in the small bike races. He won 4 TT races, including a Lightweight/Ultra Lightweight double in 1959.

Guayla Marsovski's TT career spanned the years from 1961 to 1975, with a best position of 6th in the 1971 Lightweight 250 race. He took part in the famous Hailwood/Agostini Senior Race in 1967, finishing 14th on a Matchless, and appearing in the film of the race (Murray Walker commentating)several times.

Thanks for the memories - may they both rest in peace.

Provini went into business producing Protar kits and I have built a few of those in my time. BMW sidecar outfit was my favourite (of course).
Gyula was real character. Sad to lose two such stars.

I, also, wish to record my sorrow at the passing of Tarquinio and Gyula both of whom were racing in my "special era".

Two very different characters, they stamped their names into the history books,and I am sure that anyone who saw them race will be saddened today.

Sad to hear of the passing of 2 star names from the past. I had the pleasure of seeing Marsovsky race quite a lot & met him at various circuits including the Isle of man.Provini was a real star & a couple of years ago was invited to visit the Protar factory & spent the evening with Provini & his wife at his Bologna flat. He was a very nice person, quite funny and had a lot of affection for the Isle of Man where his career ended with that crash at Kirk Michael early morning practice.
he had all his replicas on display in his study & we spent some time going through his many photo albums.I had an evening I will never forget although there was a slight language barrier as his Welsh was nearly as bad as my Italian but what a star.May they rest in peace

It is said that the tank on Provini's Moto Morini had a special indentation for his chin!
If you look at many of his racing photos he must have kept the lowest profile of most riders of his day.
Provini died at age 71, there is a nice picture of him in later life on:
<A HREF="http://www.manuelmanna.it/Provini.htm">http://www.manuelmanna.it/Provini.htm</A>