RIP Cesare Rossi, 1935-2015

0 Aug. 3, 2015, 2:47 p.m.

By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

The son of a well-known Italian watchmaker, Cesare Rossi’s skill for working with intricate and precise machinery was ingrained in him from a very young age. He turned his attention toward modifying engines that powered RC airplanes, leading to the first championship for RC airplanes awarded in 1959. He gained experience building and selling models through his father’s shop, and then in 1966, he founded his first workshop along with his brother. In 1984, Cesare and his wife Graziosa, who provided years of business management experience, created Novarossi.

In 1987, in Pomona, CA, drove a Team Associated RC500 to the 1/8-scale on-road world championship to give Novarossi its first world title. Through maintaining a network of superstar drivers around the world and building engines for various OEM brands, Novarossi has amassed a total of 20 IFMAR championships in addition to hundreds of national and international championships across the world, as well as immeasurable success in the RC aviation and marine markets.

In 1999 the President of the Italian Republic gave Cesare the insignia of Knight in the Order of Merit for his commitment, passion, and innovative spirit.

According to a post on Novarossi’s web page from Graziosa and daughter Elissa, Cesare died over the weekend at Civil Hospital of Brescia due to an illness. He was 79.