DECEMBER 31, 2003

Andretti matriarch passes on

Rina Andretti, the mother of World Champion Mario Andretti and his twin brother Aldo (also a racer) and grandmother of racers Michael, Jeff and John, has died at the age of 90. Mrs Andretti encouraged her sons to pursue their passion to race and helped them as best she could and the result was one of America's most famous racing dynasties. The family has recorded nearly 100 race victories between them in Champ Car racing in the last 40 years. She is survived by her three children, 12 grandchildren andd 19 great-grandchildren.