Piero Puricelli was born April 4, 1883, in Milano. He graduated as an engineer at the Zurich Technical Institute. In 1914 during World War I he worked with the Army Corps of Engineers in developing methods to improve the development of tools and road work. He became a charter member of the first Italian Touring Club in 1918 and consequently helped establish the Royal Automobile Club of Italy in 1922. The touring Club boasted a membership of over 500,000.

At the end of 1922 he designed and constructed the Monza Racetrack near Milano. The length of the racetrack was 10 kilometers including a 3-kilometer loop and a straightway. The fledging course became a challenge for the early daredevils and amateurs with speeds up to 100 mph.