Excellent endurance racer, whose real name was simply Adolfo Schwelm, but the Cruz was added after journalists complained they couldn't pronounce his surname! Was schooled in Windsor, Berkshire, so he spoke fluent English, but also German, where his family used to live and Italian, as he also lived in Italy, where he ran a car importing business. Died after a short illness in 2012. Schwelm was also the first ever person to come up with rally notes, in 1950, where he prepared and recorded copious notes to help his colleague.

Biography last updated 5 Aug 2017