Tribute to Vincenzo Mazzi

The FIM is deeply saddened by the death of Vincenzo Mazzi, who passed away yesterday afternoon, in Rome. FIM Europe President and Member of the FIM Board since 2006, Vincenzo Mazzi was one of the founding fathers of the Union Européenne de Motocyclisme (UEM).

In almost 50 years dedicated to Motorcycling, President Mazzi, “Enzo” for the many who enjoyed the honour of his friendship, always played a prominent role, starting with his appointment as Secretary General of the Italian Motorcycle Federation in 1979, an office he held continuously until 1999. He was a member of the FIM Road Racing Commission from 1980 to 1983.

During those years he devoted all his energy and determination to European Motorcycling, helping to found the UEM in 1996 and holding the position of Secretary General until 2006, when he was elected UEM President for his first term. He would have concluded his second mandate in Cracow in July when, as he announced himself, he would have left “space for fresh forces, with new ideas and greater enthusiasm”.

His greatly welcomed participation in the last FIM Europe Management council on 29 March was to have marked his return to his public role after a long period of illness in order to lead FIM Europe to its elective Congress. It is therefore with great consternation that we learned of his death just as we were preparing to celebrate his return as an active member of the FIM Board of Directors at its next meeting in June.

FIM President, Vito Ippolito said: “I am very sad. Vincenzo Mazzi will be sorely missed within the motorcycling community. His death is a great loss for all of us. I have lost a friend I had known for over thirty years. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife Hella and to all his family on behalf of the FIM.”