Born Leopoldo Alphonso Villa on November 30th 1899 in London, his father Leopoldo Maurice Villa was from Switzerland and his mother Adelaide Florence Hawkins was Scottish. Leo first became interested in motor racing around 1907. He left school at 15 and went to work as a page boy at The Strand. Leo's career in the racing world began in 1915 as a young engineer working for Guilio Foresti's workshop after being introduced to Foresti by his Uncle Ferdinando. Leo was riding mechanic to Foresti when they won their class (3-litre) in the 1921 Targa Florio.

In 1922 Malcolm Campbell acquired the Itala car agency from Foresti and Malcolm offered Leo a job as his racing mechanic. This was to be the beginning of a life long association and friendship with the Campbell family spanning over 44 years. In 1923 Leo went to work for Malcolm Campbell preparing his cars that raced at Brooklands and was subsequently involved with Malcolm Campbell's record breaking attempts on both land and water in Europe and America.

On new years eve 1948, Sir Malcolm died. Then a few months later Donald came to Leo and said "I want to keep the flag flying for Britain and the old man, will you come in with me?" This suggestion of Donald's came out of the blue and took Leo aback. "You're taking on a man's job if you decide to go after the record," said Leo. "Don't underestimate the difficulties of what you are going to try to do. And you must appreciate that once you start this thing, you're not going to be able to quit."

For a further 19 years until Donald's death on January 4th 1967 at Coniston Water, Leo worked constantly to help Donald achieve his goals of being the fastest man on land and water.




Leo & Donald, Blue Bird K4 two-seater, Coniston Water, circa 1950

For 44 years Leo Villa had worked for Donald and his father, working around the clock and around the world, preparing both boats and cars for record attempts. Leo probably knew more about land and water speed record breaking first hand, than any man alive now or dead. Leo shared the success the failures and the disappointments experienced by the Campbell's in their record breaking career's.

Leo was subsequently awarded an OBE for his record-breaking activities in 1967 and worked for the Norris Brothers after Donald's death on a jet boat project. Leo died on January 19th 1979 at the age of 79. He was affectionately known to Donald as "Unc or Uncle."