The Fangio Kidnapping and the Cuban Grand Prix of 1958

From the Article by D.M Bartley, "Not Enough Odds," Sports Cars Illustrated, May 1958, pp.40ff.

"it is questionable that ever in the history of racing has there been an event fraught with so many complications and tensions as the second Grand Prix of Cuba. The accident, which unfortunately killed seven spectators and injured thirty more, was not as serious as that of Lemans in 1955, but the political tension which culminated in the unbelievable kidnapping of world champion Juan Manuel Fangio, the fantastic number of armed policemen and army men crowded into the pit areas, guarding the Sports Palace, stationed at very close intervals around the entire 3.46 mile circuit and even in the hotels where the drivers and crew members were staying: all this made it impossible to forget that one was in a country on the edge of serious revolt."

Hi folks-- i was talking to one of my colleagues the other day -- Juan Santamarina -- about the Cuban GP of 1958. Juan told me that his grandmother's home was on the route of this race, and that his father had seen the race in 1958. It is a perfect time about which to do a study, and so I suggested to him that perhaps we should collaborate on an exploration into this event, and the American response to what happened. Anyone able to add more to the story, or suggest further readings? I will follow with Fangio's account of the kidnapping in the next day or so. And also more about the accident and race.