Giovanni Bracco

Giovanni Bracco (Biella, June 6, 1908 – Biella, August 6, 1968) was an Italian racing driver. He is also remembered for a tragic incident that occurred during the VIII Circuito Automobilistico di Modena on September 28, 1947, when he lost control of his Delage 3000, resulting in the deaths of five spectators and injuries to 19 others.

Bracco lived in Biella, a city known for producing other notable drivers such as Umberto Maglioli, Mario Porrino, and Lamberto Grolla. During the Second World War, he raced a Lancia Aprilia sport. He won the 1948 Italian Grand Prix in the 2-liter class driving a Maserati A6GCS before moving on to race for Ferrari from 1950 to 1952. While with Ferrari, he won the Mille Miglia in a Ferrari 250 S. Bracco also competed twice in the Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti, finishing first in 1948 and second in 1950.

In 1951, he partnered with his younger protégé, Umberto Maglioli, to finish second in the Mille Miglia, driving a Lancia Aurelia B20. In 1955, Bracco drove a Maserati 200S. On July 22, 1956, he participated in and won the final race of his career, the Biella-Pettinengo, behind the wheel of an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint.

Over the course of his career, Bracco competed in over 70 races, securing 27 overall wins. He was crowned Italian Champion in the International Sport category for cars up to 2000cc in 1948 and in the International Sport category for cars over 1500cc in 1950. He was also the Italian Mountain Champion in the Sport category in 1951.