Founding story
Jolly Club was created in Milan in 1957 by Mario Angiolini. Initially, the team focused on running Alfa Romeo vehicles. Throughout its history, Jolly Club maintained strong relationships with sponsors, notably the Italian gaming totalizer Totip, resulting in a distinctive orange and green livery used until 1996, and the alcoholic beverage company Martini & Rossi.
Technology lineage
The team’s early years saw them utilize Alfa Romeos such as the Giulietta, TI Giulia Super, GTV 1.6, and GTA 1.6 between 1957 and 1963. They later collaborated with Autodelta, developing and preparing GT Junior, AM GT, Alfa GTV 2.5, and 75 T models. A significant partnership with Lancia and Fiat followed, leading to the development of cars like the Fiat Fulvia 2C, Lancia Stratos HF, Fiat 131 Abarth, Lancia Rally, Ritmo, Fiat Uno Turbo, Delta S4, and Delta 4WD. Jolly Club also engaged in Formula car development, including F1, F2, F3, and Formula Junior, achieving successes in those categories. Beyond rally and formula racing, the team also worked with Ferrari and Porsche on prototype development. The team was involved in all aspects of motorsport, including developing and building race cars, engines, and parts, as well as supporting young drivers and securing sponsorships.
Driver relationships
Several successful drivers competed for Jolly Club. Alessandro Fiorio won the 1987 World Championship 4WD Group N title with a Lancia Delta, achieving 8 race wins. Dario Cerrato participated in 41 rallies across the European Rally Championships and became Italian and European Champion in 1985 driving a Lancia 037. Miki Biasion, a two-time World Rally Champion with Martini Racing, completed 32 races in World Championships and European events with Jolly Club, and also won the 1983 European Rally Championship and the Italian Championship. Other drivers associated with the team included Roberto Businello, Arnaldo Cavallari, Sandro Munari, Lele Pinto, Amilcare Balestrieri, Tony Carello, Andrea Zanussi, Gianfranco Cunico, Tonino Tognana (Italian Rally Champion in 1982 with a Ferrari 308 GTB), Adartico Vudafieri (Italian Rally Champion in 1984), Michele Rayneri, and Serb Pavle Komnenović. The team was known for providing opportunities for young drivers to gain experience.
Historic peaks and collapses
Jolly Club achieved success in various championships, including multiple Italian Rally Championships. Gianfranco Cunico won the Italian Rally Championship in 1994, 1995, and 1996, driving Ford Escort Cosworths prepared by Malcolm Wilson Motorsport and sponsored by Martini. However, the team faced bankruptcy in 1997, leading to its initial closure.
Current status
In 2007, Jolly Club was revived in Florence, Italy, by Andrea Guidi. The trademark is registered within the European Economic Community, and the team now operates as an organization focused on TV, media, and motorsport.
Legacy
Jolly Club was a significant Italian rally team, known for its long-standing relationships with major sponsors and its role in developing young driving talent. The team’s involvement across multiple racing disciplines demonstrated its broad capabilities within the motorsport industry.
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